Description
Physical description
British Maxim .303, Converted Mk 2 machinegun
Label
The first true automatic weapon (as opposed to manually operated 'quick firers') was patented in 1884 (improved variant patented 1885) by Hiram S Maxim, an American inventor who had become domiciled in London. Its system of operation employed the energy from the recoiling barrel to work the gun. The breech was kept safely locked at the moment of firing, after which the rearward motion of the barrel caused a toggle mechanism to unlock it and permit the action to cycle, ejecting the spent cartridge and loading another from the belt by which the gun was fed.
Maxim guns were adopted by a number of Armies, including that of Great Britain. Initially British Maxim Guns employed the .450 calibre Martini-Henry cartridge but, from 1891 they were chambered for the recently adopted .303 inch rifle cartridge. The Maxim was used in the Boer War and also during the early stages of the First World War, as the Army had only received delivery of 109 of the new Vickers Gun (see FIR 8032) by August 1914.
This British service issue gun was manufactured in .450 calibre, but subsequently converted to fire the .303 cartridge.
History note
The first true automatic weapon (as opposed to manually operated 'quick firers') was patented in 1884 (improved variant patented 1885) by Hiram S Maxim, an American inventor who had become domiciled in London. Its system of operation employed the energy from the recoiling barrel to work the gun. The breech was kept safely locked at the moment of firing, after which the rearward motion of the barrel caused a toggle mechanism to unlock it and permit the action to cycle, ejecting the spent cartridge and loading another from the belt by which the gun was fed.
Maxim guns were adopted by a number of Armies, including that of Great Britain. Initially British Maxim Guns employed the .450 calibre Martini-Henry cartridge but, from 1891 they were chambered for the recently adopted .303 inch rifle cartridge. The Maxim was used in the Boer War and also during the early stages of the First World War, as the Army had only received delivery of 109 of the new Vickers Gun (see FIR 8032) by August 1914.
Stamped on fusee spring cover
broad arrow over ENFIELD & 1892 MAXIM & No 1803 WT 64 LBS.
Stamped on muzzle attachment
MAXIM 303 COND MK I & ATTACH BALL FIRING MK II
Stamped on sight
MK II MAXIM CONVERTED
Stamped on safety
.45 AND .303 MK 1
Stamped on left of feed block
2
Stamped on top of feed block
COND MK II ENFIELD
Stamped on plaque on top cover ('cordite' in red)
CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE RIFLE CORDITE
Stamped on floorplate & barrel
6060