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Maxim's 1884 Prototype Automatic Rifle In the USMC Air Ground Museum Collection Quantico, VA.
Presented as a non-official web site by |
(Dolf L. Goldsmith, Collector Grade Publications, Toronto CA, 1993) |
Sir Hiram S. Maxim's Invention
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Until Maxim patented his unique Automatic Rifle the only rapid fire weapons available were those operated by action of a lever or handle. This manual operation drove a mechanism that was used to load, fire, eject and reload the weapon. Maxim however visualized the entire cycle being driven by the explosive energy released when the bullet was fired. He invented the first truly automatic weapon that would continue to fire and cycle as long as there were cartridges fed to it. Although a number of other inventors gave their names to a variety of weapons that worked on the same principle, there was no substantial improvement to the initial Maxim system. |
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Maxim is a truly interesting figure in history. I suggest any one seeking an understanding of
early MG history and development find his memoirs (My Life, Sir Hiram Maxim, London: Methuen
1915) and read his personal story. In one interesting account he tells of how he came to
Europe and what gave him the first inspiration for the development of his infamous machine.
Not to bore you but I will recount his inspiration for his invention. "I was in Vienna,
where I met an American Jew whom I had known in the States. He said: "Hang your chemistry
and electricity! If you wish to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable
these Europeans to cut each other's throats with greater facility." AND SO HE DID!
Maxim founded his company making its headquarters and workshop at 57D Hatton Garden in London.
All during his remaining life he tinkered and continued to develop his unique weapon.
Amassing a fortune Maxim withdrew as director of his company in 1911.
In the process he filed hundreds of patents between 1884 and his death in 1916 as he
continuously improved his system.
Like Dr. Gatling, another American who's crank operated machine gun was developed to abolish war, Maxim apparently felt a sense of remorse over having invented an instrument which wrought such unbelievable carnage on the European battlefields. Just before his death he witnessed reports of a hand full of placed German '08 Maxims mowing down the better part of 60,000 British soldiers. Maxim's obituary stated that "He was inventor of the automatic machine gun, which revolutionized warfare. It was his purpose to arm the world against war". Here then is the Maxim prototype, currently in the USMCM collection. Val J. Forgett, Jr., purchased it at the auction of the Hudson-Maxim estate in 1953 for $72.00. He subsequently donated it to the USMC Museum. |
Views of Maxim #1
| The following pictures were taken at the USMC Historical Center in Washington DC. and the USMC Air Ground Museum in Quantico VA. Please, click on the photo for a full size view. |
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Inside old #1
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Photos Courtesy USMC Museum Staff and Fredericksburg Memorial Military Museum.
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Additional Views of Maxim No. |
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