The Devils Paintbrush-the MAXIM gun
Here is the ground version of the LMG 08, the MAXIM gun, called the "Devils Paintbrush" for its deadly sweep of carnage in battle.
As has been well noted, the "SPANDAU" term only applied to the IMG08 guns for aviation use and with the perforated surround which provided the air cooling of the barrel.
The same machine gun for use by ground forces were known as their proper classification, the Maxim gun (as well noted by Wayne in post #34).
However, as often the case in common usage in such eponyms, the term Spandau became in military vernacular collectively used for German machine guns.
The Spandau for aviation use was the ONLY form produced in Spandau.
Interestingly , the term 'Spandau ballet' was a term not devised until post WWII and referring to the suicide of Rudolph Hess who had been held prisoner there (by then a prison) by hanging.
Last edited by Jim McDougall; 18th February 2025 at 01:00 AM.
Reason: proper recognition for post bt Kronckew
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