Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ 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
Prime contractor
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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
- Calibre7.92 mm
- Case Length57 mm
- Calibre Class7.92mm
- Bullet Weight12.8 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣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
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitynone
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
- Total Production200,000
- Production Start1908
- Production End1945
- Variants1
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width200 mm
- Height250 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1908Production started
- 1916Entered service
- 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.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Pre-WWI / Industrial Age
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
66GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)3PRE-WWI / INDUSTRIAL AGE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)251GERMANY · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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