German Machine Gun 08/15 Set

These simple wooden MG transport carts first appeared during the mid-war period (1916 onwards) and were used predominantly to transport the lighter of the German machine guns, the MG 08/15. Other uses of the cart included the transport of the heavier German MG 08, the Mauser 13mm Anti-Tank Rifle, general supplies, incl. ammunition or even the carrying of wounded personnel away from the immediate front-line areas (the rear MG support being used as a backrest for a sitting person, with legs each side of the second and front MG support).

The carts were also used on air bases to transport stores directly to the aircraft, including handheld bombs, hand grenades etc. The design of the air base versions had a simplified top corpus or body and no MG fixing supports, but seems to have an identical undercarriage assembly, wheels and pulling shaft.

By close examination of original photos, it is obvious that the carts were built to a set standard and allowed the issued ammunition boxes of the time to fit within the individual partitions of the main body (although I have come across different measurements during gathering of the reference material and preparing for the design), the front section being reserved for the double MG 08/15 drum magazine case. Some photo evidence indicates that the mounted MG could be brought into action whilst still fixed to the cart, the ammunition supply resting on the stowed equipment and cases etc.

It appears that the two protruding undercarriage parts at rear are in fact handles to enable the cart to be lifted up and over obstacles or in difficult terrain by an additional member of the MG team. An oddity on some original photos is the lack of the top hinged MG support clamps, presumably for an easier handling or removal (or the intention to carry the larger MG 08).

During the end of war period and the withdrawal of German troops from the Western Front, many of these carts were left behind in France and Belgium, which maybe the reason why the few existing examples are still to be found generally in these countries and mainly in private collections. There are also some film and photo images of these carts appearing in the unrests during 1919, generally in Berlin, employed by the various Freikorps units.

The after-war period and creation of the Reichswehr (1921 1935), saw a new designed MG Cart of a metal type, but principally doing the same job, i.e. transporting the heavy machine guns and there is little photo evidence of the wooden types being employed in any large numbers.

Late 1930s and through the removal of the pulling handle, wheels and axle, the cart could be turned into a sledge, which also appeared in smaller numbers during the Second World War, mainly on the Eastern Front. In most cases the MG attachment posts having been removed.

About this model

The wooden carts are now quite rare and seem to have been made to different specifications, which would indicate a number of firms being contracted to make them. They do though appear to have been well designed and made to a specific standard. On my own painted model version, I have added a support ring in front of the pulling slat. This does not appear on some of the original versions and hence was left off in my own design. This ring can though be easily made by thin metal foil or sculpturing putty.

There is also a choice of displaying the MG-Cart with open or closed support posts, hence the different types of fastening straps supplied with the kits.

Straps and Buckles

I have placed in small bags the straps, buckles and top parts with their associated MG-support posts as many of the pieces look similar. It is a good idea to keep these parts together until the final assembly.