MG08 Body Armour

[markfinneran]

With IMA making repro pieces - does anybody know what markings are being placed on the repro MG 08 pieces in order to differentiate in 100 years time!!
Huge thanks.
Mark

[reme245]

The set I had off of them approximately 10 years ago had no markings.

Mine was nicely aged and I was under the impression that it may have been original from Turkey where all their Maxim items originally came from. The items they are selling now are presumably repros's.

[jmann]

I have original German armour for my 08 with the exception of the large outer shield. The differences I can tell are as follows.

The German front shield has a chamfer in front of the front sight.

The german innershield for the sled is made with a different type of connector where the outershield attaches to it. (it is tapered like seen in the devils paintbrush and the ima ones are cut straight.)

The German waterjacket armor is if overall better quality with smoother edges and is riveted together where the barrel shroud meets the upright shield instead of bolted as ima are.

These are just what I have noticed, but I have not ever had mine beside the ima stuff. I have only looked at the ima items at shows, but those differences mentioned were what jumped out at me.

[markfinneran]

To jmann - please send images of armour. I think I have been tricked into a repro purchase!
Mark

[captain]

Hi,

I bought copies years ago. No markings, not IMA, ...
So that could indicate that MG08 body armours were abondantly copied, in lot of countries.
For example, a French armourers shop (named l'"Arquebuserie", Porte des Lilas in Paris) was known to be able to reproduce any marking and some fakes (MG08 stuff) they made are now sold for real stuff.
Here pics of my body armour. Rough finish! What do you think? I never could compare with a real one.
Cheers,

[woodsy]

I can see some differences with my set which I know is original. I will take some photos today and ask Kevin to post them for me. You can compare them to yours and make up your own mind. There were probably minor difference between manufacturers, but the retaining clips on mine are leather padded and have wing nuts to join them.

[woodsy]

As promised, here are some pictures of my original MG08 armour (thanks to Kevin! )
















v

[jmann]

Sorry all for taking so long. I honestly have not checked the board in a while. My waterjacket armor is exactly like woodsy's pictured below. Sadly mine is lacking the straps to affix it to the gun and does not have the original paint like his, however the armor is identical in fit and finish. As for sled armor, mine is identical to that pictured in "the devisl Paintbrush" and is quite a bit different than the ima stuff. I only have the innershield for the sled so I cannot comment on the large outer shield.

[captain]

Hi,
Ok, mine is probably a very rare one or another copy. Althought the finish/design is like some WWI sniper shield, with the screws shaped in cones. Unfortunately, it has been sanded and painted.
Mine is definitely not an IMA shield ( see www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/products_id/362) that looks more like yours, with a very bad finish.

Here a picture of a good one.

[markfinneran]

Are there any makers markings/stamps/inspectors symbols etc on any of your original ones? My sadly repro example has the bolts and so assume it is not authentic...and has come from IMA. I also know of another one here in Belgium that has 3 interlinked circles stamped upon it along with the armoured shield so does anyone know of the definitive list of maker stamps/markings. It is different to Woodsy's and Jmann's.
Mark