POTD: Mauser MG81 – The Aircraft Gun That Came to Earth
Sam.S 06.12.25
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This German MG81 light machine gun represents one of World War II’s most adaptable weapons—an aircraft gun pressed into ground service as Germany’s situation grew desperate. Originally developed to replace the MG15 in flexible aircraft mounts, this 7.92mm machine gun found new life in infantry roles during the war’s final years. The MG81’s design reflects its aerial origins. Manufactured without fixed sights (unnecessary in aircraft applications), it featured a lightweight construction optimized for flexible mounting systems. The most famous configuration was the “MG81Z”—twin-mounted versions that provided devastating firepower for German aircraft gunners.
What makes this example historically significant is its ground combat modification. The bracket welded to the heat shield for bipod attachment demonstrates the Wehrmacht’s increasingly improvisational approach to equipment shortages. As Germany lost air superiority and aircraft became less available, serviceable MG81s were retrofitted for infantry use rather than being scrapped.
The receiver markings “MG81/gal” indicate manufacture by Wagner, one of several contractors producing these weapons under the German wartime production system. The mismatched serial numbers on the heat shield (25576) and receiver (86319) suggest wartime field repairs or parts cannibalization—common practices as German logistics deteriorated.
“German Mauser MG81, Class III/NFA C&R Machine Gun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/3449/german-mauser-mg81-class-iiinfa-cr-machine-gun. Accessed 9 June 2025.
