Gun in Legion...??

Bushmaster · #1 06-02-2007, 06:21 AM

I was in our local Legion last nite and they have a couple of old guns hanging on the wall. The one right above me had "Trophy #824" painted on it...in 2 places. What is the meaning of this ?? I'm sure it is at least WW2 vintage, maybe older.

Dick284 · #2 06-02-2007, 07:09 AM

A picture or two would really help.

Unregistered user · #3 06-02-2007, 07:45 AM

I'm sure some ol' timer would be happy to tell you over a beer next time you're in there.

Bushmaster · #4 06-02-2007, 08:46 AM

Our Legion is actually now run by the town and only used for special events...not many of those guys left.

#5 06-02-2007, 08:54 AM

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Grizzly Adams · #6 06-02-2007, 09:30 AM

At one time, there were a whole bunch of deactivated German WW l type machine guns around. Each one had a brass plaque mounted on the stock, indicating where and when captured and by which regiment. They seem to have dissapeared over the years and I gotta wonder if this is one of those anti gun things. Also a fair amount of German WWl artillery parked in places around Canada. The local Legion has a #4 Lee Enfield mounted over the ba and every time I go there, I'm surprised it's still there.

Grizz

Bushmaster · #7 06-02-2007, 11:49 AM

BMG, its too high up to tell...but I thought that was likely the reason for the "Trophy" designation.....I remember that it has a bipod with spikes for setting in the ground.

Grizzly Adams · #8 06-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Does it look like this?

Bushmaster · #9 06-02-2007, 04:52 PM

Grizz, that's it....except it has the "Trophy #284" painted on the reciever and again towards the end of the barrel.

There's actually 2 of them but I didn't get over to the other side to see if the other one had the same painting on it.

#10 06-02-2007, 05:56 PM

1

Dick284 · #11 06-02-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50BMG

Probably off but isn't that a german water-cooled 50 cal?

Water cooled is correct, but the .50 cal. never made it onto the scene till the late 1920's. (BTW .50 cal. was never a axis calibre in either World War)
It's an MG 08 designed to be a light machinegun, same basic frame as the fixed gun version just had the shoulder stock added, and a bipod fitted.
Calibre is 7.92 x57J (0.318" bullet)

Grizzly Adams · #12 06-02-2007, 09:18 PM

German Mg 08/15, watercooled, belt fed and long as a fence post., caliber 8x 57. One of the earliest attempts to turn machine guns from miniature artillery to portable killing machines. When we think of the horrible casualties of WW1, this little beastie was one of the culprits. The Germans would hunker down in their impregnable dug outs, while the allies shelled the dickens out of their lines, prior to an attack. When the shelling stopped, the Germans would pop up and mow down the attacking forces, whose tactics were basically, if we can march enough guys over there, we will win.
Grizz

Bushmaster · #13 06-02-2007, 10:19 PM

OK, thats part of the answer....whats the "Trophy 284" all about ??

Dick284 · #14 06-03-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushmaster

OK, thats part of the answer....whats the "Trophy 284" all about ??

"B"
Be darned if I know.
Obviously it's a piece of captured enemy kit.
I'd guess it's deemed a war trophy, and as for the number,well, it probably had to be registered with DND or something like that, hence the number?

Bushmaster · #15 06-03-2007, 07:40 AM

Thanks everyone, for your input. I knew this would be the place to ask.

#16 06-03-2007, 09:18 AM

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