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The US Adopts A Maxim: The Colt Model 1904 (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2022-11-09 13:00:08 +0000 UTCThe US Army spent nearly 16 years languidly testing the Maxim gun, but was never willing to actually make a decision until a final trial in 1903 finally settled the matter. The Maxim was deemed the bet available machine gun and a contract was signed with Vickers, Sons, & Maxim to purchase 50 (later increased to 90). Eventually a total of 287 were procured; 90 from VSM and a further 197 made by Colt in the US. The first British guns were chambered for .30-03, with the Colts all made for the later .30-06 (and the VSM guns updated to that standard).
The Model 1904 was the heaviest Maxim gun ever made, weighing in at 62 pounds for the gun and another 80 for its tripod. Despite excellent reliability and durability, it was so heavy and unwieldy that it was pretty universally hated by American soldiers. The final order for 1904 Maxims was placed in 1908 and jut the following year the M1909 Benet Mercie light Hotchkis-pattern was was adopted. By the time World War One arrived, half the Maxims had already been relegated to long-term storage. They were pulled out of the warehouses for training troops prior to their deployment to Europe, but they never saw any more significant military use.
Comments
Brian Jay
I wanna buy this just so I can legitimately change my Twitter bio to “Whatever happens, I have got, a Maxim gun, and you have not.”
Paul Beck
To my knowledge the Armory in Kyiv Ukraine still manufactures them along with optics and cameras!?!
Tim Black
US Army kicking themselves for not picking the Maxim since the Maxims in Ukraine are still running hard 🤣
Patrick Yamada
I thought the M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun as the first adopted by the US military. I'm sure I will soon learn that it was used by not formally adopted. ^_^
Risto Alanko
Similar style than the Russian m/1905 brass jacket Maxim on the big wheel mount. But a bit heavier, though.
Guido Schriewer
the HORSES would really hate that whole thing, I'm sure. I reckon nobody wants to drag this beast out now either for some rounds?
EyeBall
It seems that the ordnance bureau tried to make the Maxim into a forgotten weapon - before it was forgotten.
Forgotten Weapons
That would be an extremely difficult thing to machine and for no substantial benefit over a separate gas tube.
Forgotten Weapons
Yes. Oops.
Matisse Enzer
Correction? 6 ammo cans @ 250 = 1500 rounds not 3000.
Jerry Harkins
I am understanding of that. Considering pencil barrels exist, would it be possible to off-center drill the barrel and gas tube with ample material for strength? I meant for applications in other firearms, not the Maxim.
Steven E
Very educational video.
Steven E
The Maxim machine gun is recoil operated, not gas operated hence the large barrel booster.
zspikez
I'm not surprised the troops didn't like the weight, but I would have thought 'command' would want these deployed for the HMG role in mostly static trench warfare?
Jerry Harkins
That inch wide barrel makes me wonder if anyone has been crazy enough to manufacture a barrel and gas tube into one piece of metal. Would be heavy and need to be removed from the gun to service the gas tube, but hey, for science right?
