Taking it on the "Chinn"

Hi all, No, contrary to my subject title I don't want to start a fight, I'm simply looking for information on machine guns. With our reservoir of arms experts, I seem to recall that someone had mentioned that they had a copy of the Chinn reference works on machine guns. I was hoping that I could solicit the assistance of someone in sending me xerox copies of ONLY the pages that pertain to the Maxim LMG 08/15 Spandau. I've bid on these books through the ebay on-line auction, with no success, (I bid $780 on the last set, and they sold for $800). I probably could request the works through interlibrary loan, but didn't want to go to those lengths if I didn't need to. I would be most appreciative and will gladly reimburse any expenses incurred. Thank you greatly. Copies are wanted for research use only. Best Wishes, Dave W.

[leo]

I once had a friend who had served in the Whrmancht in WWII. He once told me that when German troops referred to something as being "08/15" it meant that it was all screwed up. I never got a chance to question him on that statement, but do know there is a series of three movies referred to by that title. They have to do with a soldier named Asch. Does anyone know what caused the Germans to get down on the 08/15?

[Billy_Bishop]

My guess is that the 08/15 probably turned out to be a lemon as an air cooled machine gun. The original 08 being a water-cooled job, the 08/15 being the conversion, mostly for aircraft use.

Like most water to air conversions, it most likely left something to be desired. Or at least it was so perceived by the troops using it.

VBR,

Al Lowe

Thanks for the input on the 08/15, I had never heard that it was the "Edsel" of machine guns. I'd like to hear more if anyone has information.

Al, I think you maybe have a misconception on the 08/15. It was a "lightened" design of the standard 08, but it was made in the tens if not hundreds of thousands for use as a trench water cooled trench weapon, whereas in the guise of a air cooled weapon there were about 25,000 08/15s made.

I haven't seen anything about the aircraft weapon having problems, but it certainly could have been the case. It's difficult to find first hand accounts or documentation.

When they first developed the "aircraft" gun, they had several manufacturers submit designs and had trials. From these trials, the 08 Spandau was selected. As you see in very early trials the Parabellum was used as "the" operational weapon for early fighters. Bergmann and others had very good designs as well.

Best,
Dave

How many volumes were in the series? There seems to be plenty of copies of vol 1 about.

andy

Five volumes.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to John L for providing this most informative piece of information that I was most desirous of obtaining.

andy

[Boom]

and I was sure the Chinn was going to refer to the musical "Chin Chin Chow" apparently de riguer for pilots in Lopndon on leave.

cheers, Boom

Andy, Chinn wrote the series for the Bureau of Ordnance, U.S,. Navy and they were classified. When the first three volumes were de-classified about 30 years ago, many were released and that's when I bought mine (from Don McLean, editor of S.O.F. now, but then owner of Normount Armament.)
Volume 4 was de-classified years later and a lesser number were available. The last time I inquired, Vol. 5 was still classified, but since some have been sold, it must have also been de-classified. My set states that there were 3 volumes and is dated 1951. They were published by the United States Printing Office.
Don told me that Vol. 4 dealt with captured Russian automatic cannon and was published at a later date. I have no information on Vol. 5.