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lMG 08/15
Photo: unknown, photos for "Synchronizers Pt.6" article by Hank Volker are stated as from the collection of the late Peter M. Grosz, and the original photo i · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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lMG08/15

Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · Germany · 1915
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lMG08/15

⚙ MG 08 variant
lMG 08/15
lMG 08/15 Photo: unknown, photos for "Synchronizers Pt.6" article by Hank Volker are stated as from the collection of the late Peter M. Grosz, and the original photo i · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Penetration
20
Effective Range
30
Firepower
40
Anti-Materiel Capability
10
Reliability
60
Barrel Endurance
50
Accuracy
50
Role Versatility
30
Portability
20
Cost-Effectiveness
40
Origin Germany
ManufacturerGerman Arms and Ammunition Factory
CategoryHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)
EraWorld War I
In service1915–1918
Operators19 countries
Quantity130,000
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
34
Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) MASS Rating
3/3
World War I
45/46
All-Time
Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · 10 axes scored
Penetration
20
Effective Range
30
Firepower
40
Anti-Materiel Capability
10
Reliability
60
Barrel Endurance
50
Accuracy
50
Role Versatility
30
Portability
20
Cost-Effectiveness
40
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category.
01 / Overview
lMG 08/15
Country
Production
1915–1918
Quantity
130,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) · WORLD WAR I
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
57
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
34
heavy machine guns (hmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General2MOD.2
  • Weight (Empty)18 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)23 kg
◈Cartridge & Calibre4MOD.4
  • Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
  • Calibre7.92 mm
  • Case Length57 mm
  • Bullet Weight12.8 g
▣Operation6MOD.6
  • Action TypeRecoil-Operated
  • Fire Modesautomatic
  • Feed SystemDrum
  • Magazine Capacity50
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire500
  • Practical Rate of Fire100
◇Ballistics5MOD.5
  • Muzzle Velocity878 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,200 m
  • Maximum Range3,700 m
  • Sighting Range2,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
  • Barrel Length721 mm
  • Rifling Twist1:240 mm
  • Rifling Grooves4
  • Sight Typeiron sights, optical sights
  • Iron SightsYes
▤Features1MOD.1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1901Entered service
  2. 1915Production started
  3. 1918Production ended
111
years in service
3
years in production
130,000
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 19 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A cylindrical ammunition container, typically mounted on a firearm, that holds cartridges in a spiral arrangement for feeding into the chamber.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Firearm action type where the energy from firing a cartridge cycles the action via rearward movement of the barrel or slide.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) entry →