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Spandau lMG 08
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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SpandaulMG08

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Germany · 1908
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SpandaulMG08

⚙ MG 08 variant
Spandau lMG 08
Spandau lMG 08 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
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Penetration
55
Reliability
90
Accuracy
70
Barrel Endurance
65
Mount Versatility
50
Controllability
45
Portability
30
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Germany
ManufacturerGerman Arms and Ammunition Factory
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraPre-WWI / Industrial Age
In service1908–1945
Operators3 countries
Quantity200,000
Data Quality86%
65
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
3/15
Pre-WWI / Industrial Age
66/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Penetration
55
Reliability
90
Accuracy
70
Barrel Endurance
65
Mount Versatility
50
Controllability
45
Portability
30
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Spandau lMG 08
Country
Production
1908–1945
Quantity
200,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · PRE-WWI / INDUSTRIAL AGE
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
65
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • First Production Year1908
  • Service Entry Year1914
  • DesignerTheodor Bergmann
  • Weight (Empty)19 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)38 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersGerman Empire, Ottoman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgaria, China, Finland, Nazi Germany
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation8MOD.8
  • Action TypeRecoil-Operated
  • Fire Modesfull-auto
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire400
  • Practical Rate of Fire200
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics6MOD.6
  • Muzzle Velocity890 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy5,100
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,000 m
  • Maximum Range3,500 m
  • Sighting Range2,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
  • Barrel Length719 mm
  • Rifling Twist1:240 mm (1 turn in 10 inches)
  • Rifling Grooves4
  • Sight Typeiron sights, tangent rear sight
  • Sight Radius850 mm
  • Optic RailNo
  • Iron SightsYes
  • Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production200,000
  • Production Start1908
  • Production End1945
  • Variants1
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
  • Width200 mm
  • Height250 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1908Production started
  2. 1916Entered service
  3. 1945Production ended
118
years in service
37
years in production
200,000
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
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.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →