Combat use of the Maxim machine gun. The history of the Maxim machine gun - who is the creator and how the weapon works
The Maxim machine gun is a heavy machine gun developed by American-born British gunsmith Hiram Stevens Maxim in 1883. The Maxim machine gun became one of the founders of automatic weapons.
Before talking about the machine gun, it is worth mentioning the mitrailleuse; it is certainly not a machine gun, but its closest prototype.
A mitrailleuse (buckshot, tracing from the French mitraille - “buckshot, shrapnel”) is a type of multiple-barreled rifle-caliber cannon that can fire either several bullets at the same time or several bullets in quick succession. The very first “true” mitrailleuse was invented in 1851 by Belgian army captain Fafchamps, 10 years before the advent of the Gatling gun. It was followed in 1863 by Montigny's mitrailleuse. Then in 1866, under conditions of the strictest secrecy, the French 25-barreled “Canon à Balles”, better known as the Reffi mitrailleuse, was adopted.
In French The machine gun is called mitrailleuse. This word became a household word after the Hotchkis Mitrailleuse was adopted in 1897. For example, the name of the 5.56 mm NATO FN Minimi machine gun comes from the term Mini-Mitrailleuse - “small machine gun”. Derivatives of the French word "mitrailleuse" are used in Dutch and Norwegian. Related words for machine guns are found in Portuguese, Turkish, Italian and some other languages.
The direct predecessor of the machine gun is considered to be the Gatling gun (eng. Gatling gun - Gatling gun, also Gatling canister, sometimes simply "Gatling") - a multi-barreled rapid-fire weapon. Patented by Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling in 1862 under the name Revolving Battery Gun.
The Gatling is equipped with a top-mounted magazine with gravity-fed ammunition (without a spring). During the cycle of rotating the block of barrels by 360°, each barrel fires a single shot, is released from the cartridge case and is charged again. During this time, natural cooling of the barrel occurs. The rotation of the barrels in the first Gatling models was carried out manually, in later ones it was used electric drive. The rate of fire of manually driven models ranged from 200 to 1000 rounds per minute, and when using an electric drive it could reach 3000 rounds per minute.
In 1873, American inventor Hiram Stephens Maxim invented a weapon, the use of which influenced the outcome of many battles. late XIX, first half of the 20th century. It was an easel machine gun, the operating principle of which was based on the use of recoil when firing. It can be called the first automatic weapon in human history. In a Gatling gun, you had to turn the crank to fire, so it could be called “automatic” very conditionally. So the first automatic shooting device was invented by Hiram Stevens Maxim.
The inventor of his deadly and legendary brainchild
Maxim did not specialize only in creating weapons; his interests lay in other areas, so 10 years passed between the drawings of a new device and the creation of the first working sample.
In 1883, the inventor demonstrated his brainchild to the American military, who were not impressed by it. The generals considered that the Maxim system machine gun had too high a rate of fire, and this was bad, as it led to a large waste of ammunition.
Hiram emigrated to Britain and offered his weapons there. The British military also did not show much enthusiasm for the machine gun, although it aroused their interest. The release of the new device began thanks to banker Nathaniel Rothschild, who financed the new endeavor.
The arms company created by Maxim began to produce and advertise machine guns. The operation scheme of this weapon, carefully developed by the inventor, was so perfect that, amazed by its reliability and reliability, the British adopted the machine gun, and it was successfully used during the Anglo-Boer War, causing numerous protests from pacifist organizations.
The inventor brought a machine gun to Russia in 1887. The caliber of the weapon was 11.43 mm. Subsequently, it was made to match the caliber of the Berdan rifle cartridge, which was then in service in the Russian army. The military department made a small order. The sailors also showed interest in the machine gun. Subsequently, the weapon was converted to the 7.62 mm caliber of the Mosin rifle cartridge.
From 1897 to 1904, about 300 machine guns were purchased, and the history of the use of these weapons in the Russian army began. The weight of the machine gun was great - 244 kg. Mounted on a heavy wheeled carriage, similar to a cannon and equipped with a large armored shield, the Maxim machine gun was intended to be used for the defense of fortresses. Therefore, he was assigned to the artillery department. Since 1904, Maxim began to be produced at the Tula Arms Factory.
Its extraordinary effectiveness new machine gun proved during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Already on the ground, it was removed from the cannon carriage, the dimensions of which were too large, and installed on tripods.
And the Russian history of this weapon begins in 1910. The gunsmiths of the Tula plant, Pastukhov, Sudakov and Tretyakov, modernized the machine gun, and Sokolov equipped it with a convenient compact carriage. The design has been changed. The weapon began to weigh about 70 kg along with water, which was poured into the casing to cool the barrel.
The machine gun acquired the following specifications:
cartridges caliber 7.62 mm;
initial bullet speed 800 m/s;
sighting range shooting 3000 m;
combat rate of fire 300 rounds per minute;
During the First World War, maxim was used everywhere, not only in Russia. MG 08 (German: Maschinengewehr 08) - a German version of the Maxim machine gun, it could be mounted on either a sled or a tripod machine. MG 08 was actively used German army in the First World War. Like the base model, the MG 08 automatic operates using a barrel recoil system. The Wehrmacht began World War II armed with, in addition to other types of machine guns, 42,722 heavy machine guns MG 08/15 and MG 08/18. By the beginning of World War II, the MG 08 was already an obsolete weapon; its use in the Wehrmacht was explained only by the lack of newer and more modern machine guns.
The weapon was successfully used during the First World War and the Russian Civil War. The weapon was mounted on cavalry carts, as can be seen in numerous films showing this period of Russian history.
The Vickers is an English version of the machine gun; it was practically the main heavy automatic infantry weapon in the British Army from the time it was adopted in 1912 until the early 1960s. In addition to Great Britain, Vickers were also produced in the USA, Australia, and Portugal. Before the United States entered World War I, the War Department assessed the weapons of the Entente and then, at the end of 1916, ordered 4,000 Vickers machine guns from the Colt arms company.
The design of the Vickers machine gun differed slightly from the design of the Russian Maxim machine gun of the 1910 model as follows:
The castle was rotated 180 degrees so that the lower slope was facing upward; this made it possible to reduce the height and weight of the box.
The box cover is divided into two halves: the front half of the cover covers the receiver, and the back half covers the box; both parts are fixed on the same axis.
The butt plate is folding, attached to the box with two bolts (upper and lower).
There were Maxims for armored cars, tanks, aircraft and even motorcycles.
The design of the Maxim system machine gun: 1 - fuse, 2 - sight, 3 - lock, 4 - filler plug, 5 - casing, 6 - steam exhaust device, 7 - front sight, 8 - muzzle, 9 - cartridge outlet tube, 10 - barrel, 11 - water, 12 - drain plug, 13 - cap, steam outlet, 15 - return spring, 16 - release lever, 17 - handle, 18 - receiver.
The machine gun was modernized in 1930, but it was already insignificant. Thus, the hole for pouring water into the casing was expanded, which made it possible to fill it with snow in winter. And for long-distance shooting, a heavy bullet of the 1930 model was used. The caliber of the weapon has not changed. For more accurate shooting the machine gun began to be equipped with an optical sight and an inclinometer. The barrel casing acquired longitudinal corrugation, which increased its strength. Other characteristics have also been changed.
Finnish machine gun M/32-33 This machine gun is a variant of the Russian machine gun of the 1910 model. The Maxim M/32-33 was developed by Finnish gunsmith Aimo Lahti in 1932, it could fire at a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute, while the Russian machine gun of the 1910 model fired at a rate of 600 rounds per minute; in addition to this, the Maxim M/32-33 had a number of other innovations. It was actively used by the Finnish side in the Soviet-Finnish War. The cartridge used differed in tolerances from the Soviet one.
Type 24 (Chinese: 二四式重機槍) - a Chinese version, which is a copy of the German MG 08 (the 24th year according to the Minguo chronology corresponds to 1935 of the Gregorian calendar). Produced by the Jingling Arsenal (Nanjing) with a Dreifuß 16 tripod machine. A total of about 36 thousand pieces were produced. Subsequently, many of them were converted to Soviet cartridge 7.62x54 mm R. There was also a modification of the air-cooled machine gun, “Type 36”.
The Maxim machine gun began to be installed on airplanes, tanks, and armored vehicles. It was not widely used on airplanes. The reason was the heavy weight of the weapon.
N.F. Back in 1924, Tokarev created a Soviet light machine gun on the basis of a heavy machine gun, significantly reducing its weight. The Maxim light machine gun weighed only 12.5 kg, but this was considered too much. Nevertheless, it was put into service, and in just one year the Tula Arms Plant produced almost 2.5 thousand units of this weapon. But its popularity, alas, was far from the popularity of its easel brother.
Back in 1928, the machine gun was mounted on a tripod and began to be used as an anti-aircraft gun, which was very successfully used against aircraft of that time. In 1931, the famous Soviet gunsmith was created by N. F. Tokarev anti-aircraft gun of 4 machine guns. A special sight was also developed. This installation was successfully used throughout the Great Patriotic War.
We can say that the Maxim machine gun is the most common Soviet machine gun during the Great Patriotic War.
In 1943, Maxim was replaced in the army with a new weapon - the SG-43. This was the name of a new machine gun with an air-cooled barrel, developed by gunsmith P. Goryunov. Its caliber was also chambered for 7.62, but it had different performance characteristics. Its characteristics were more adapted to combat in changed conditions, although it also had a fairly large weight - 27.7 kg on a tripod. Production of Maxim ceased, but history did not, and it continued to be used. The latest application of this legendary weapons it is believed to date back to 1969, when Soviet border guards used it during the conflict on Damansky Island.
There are facts that Maxim was used in 2014 during the defense of the Donetsk airport. Thus, the history of this weapon has been going on for more than 100 years.
Today in every museum you can see either a real Maxim machine gun or a model of a Maxim machine gun. They also make models of the legendary machine gun for interior decoration.
Maxim machine guns are found in many films about the events of the First World War, civil war and the Great Patriotic War (“Chapaev”, “Officers”, etc.). The machine gun often appears in films such as Deja Vu (1989), including those that have become cult films, for example in the film Brother-2.
Legend with legend.
A heavy machine gun created by American-born British gunsmith Hiram Stevens Maxim in 1883. The Maxim machine gun is one of the ancestors of automatic weapons; it was widely used during the Boer War of 1899-1902, World War I and World War II, as well as in many small wars and armed conflicts.
History of creation
In 1873, the American inventor Hiram Stephens Maxim (1840-1916) designed the first example of an automatic weapon - the Maxim machine gun. He came to the decision to use the recoil energy of the weapon, which had not been used in any way before. But trials and practical use These weapons were discontinued for 10 years, since Maxim was not only a gunsmith and, in addition to weapons, was interested in other things. His interests included various technologies, electricity, and so on, and the machine gun was just one of his many inventions. In the early 1880s, Maxim finally resumed work on his machine gun, but appearance his weapon was already very different from the 1873 model. Hiram Maxim submitted a petition to the US government to accept his machine gun for service. But no one in the USA was interested in the machine gun, and then Maxim left for Great Britain, where his invention initially also did not arouse much interest from the military. However, the British banker Nathaniel Rothschild, who was present at the testing of the new weapon, became seriously interested in it and agreed to finance the creation and production of the machine gun.
The Maxima Arms Company began producing and advertising machine guns, demonstrating their work in many countries. Hiram Maxim managed to achieve excellent survivability and high reliability of his weapons, and at the end of 1899, his machine gun, designed for the British .303 caliber (7.7 mm) cartridge, fired 15 thousand shots without any serious difficulties.
System
The Maxim system machine gun (or simply “Maxim”) is an automatic weapon based on automatic recoil with a short-stroke barrel. During the shot, the powder gases send the barrel back, setting in motion the reloading mechanism, which removes the cartridge from the fabric tape, sends it into the breech and at the same time cocks the bolt. After firing the shot, the operation is repeated again. The machine gun has an average rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute, and the combat rate of fire is 250-300 rounds per minute.
To fire a machine gun of the 1910 model, 7.62x54 mm R rifle cartridges with bullets of the 1908 model (light bullet) and 1930 model (heavy bullet) are used. The trigger system is designed only for automatic fire and is equipped with a safety lock against accidental shots. The machine gun is powered by cartridges from a slider-type receiver, with a fabric or metal belt with a capacity of 250 cartridges, which appeared later. The sighting device consists of a rack sight and a front sight with a rectangular top. Some machine guns were also equipped with an optical sight. The machine gun was initially placed on bulky carriages, modeled after mitrailleuse carriages; then portable machines appeared, usually on tripods; Since 1910, the Russian army began to use a wheeled machine created by Colonel A. A. Sokolov. This machine gave the machine gun good stability when firing and, unlike tripods, allowed the machine gun to be easily moved when changing position.
Maxim machine gun design: 1 - fuse, 2 - sight, 3 - lock, 4 - filler plug, 5 - casing, 6 - steam vent device, 7 - front sight, 8 - muzzle, 9 - cartridge outlet tube, 10 - barrel, 11 - water, 12 - drain plug, 13 - cap, steam outlet, 15 - return spring, 16 - release lever, 17 - handle, 18 - receiver.
Cartridge used
| Cartridge | Weapon name | Caliber, mm | Initial bullet speed, m/s | Kinetic energy of a bullet, J | Cartridge weight, g | Bullet weight, g | Weight powder charge, G | Chuck length, mm | Sleeve length, mm |
| 7.62x54 mm | Maxim arr. 1910 | 7,62 | 830 | 2920-4466 | 22,7-25,1 | 9,6-11,8 | 3,1 | 77,16 | 53,72 |
| 7.92x57 mm | MG-08 | 7,92 | 735-837 | 3600-3666 | no data | 12.8 (steel core) | 3,05 | 80,5 | 56,75 |
| .303 British | Vickers | 7,71 | 701-760 | 2888-3122 | no data | 9,98-11,6 | 2,43 | 77 | 56,4 |
| 7.5x55 Schmidt-Rubin | MG 11 | 7,77 | 750-910 | 3437-3700 | no data | 8-13 | no data | 77,7 | 55,6 |
Machine gun "Maxim" in Russia
After a successful demonstration of the machine gun in Switzerland, Italy and Austria, Hiram Maxim made a visit to Russia with a demonstration model of the .45 caliber (11.43 mm) machine gun.
In 1887, the Maxim machine gun was tested under a 10.67 mm Berdan rifle cartridge equipped with black powder.
On March 8, 1888, the Emperor himself fired from it Alexander III. After completing the tests, representatives of the Russian military department placed an order to Maxim for 12 machine guns mod. 1895 chambered for the 10.67 mm Berdan rifle cartridge.
The company “Sons of Vickers and Maxim” began supplying Maxim machine guns to Russia. Machine guns arrived in St. Petersburg in the spring of 1899. Interest in the new weapon also showed Russian fleet, he placed an order for two more machine guns for testing.
Subsequently, the Berdan rifle was removed from service, and the Maxim machine guns were converted to accept the 7.62 mm cartridge of the Russian Mosin rifle. In 1891-1892 For testing, five machine guns chambered for 7.62x54 mm were purchased. During 1897-1904 Another 291 machine guns were purchased.
In 1901, a 7.62 mm Maxim machine gun on a wheeled carriage English sample was adopted by the ground forces, during this year the first 40 Maxim machine guns arrived in the Russian army. The machine gun (the mass of which on a heavy carriage with large wheels and a large armored shield was 244 kg) was assigned to the artillery. The machine guns were planned to be used for the defense of fortresses, to repel mass attacks of enemy infantry with fire from pre-equipped and protected positions.
In March 1904, a contract was signed to create Maxim machine guns at the Tula Arms Plant. The cost of production of the Tula machine gun (942 rubles + 80 pounds sterling commission to the Vickers company, about 1,700 rubles in total) was significantly cheaper than the cost of acquisition from the British (2,288 rubles 20 kopecks per machine gun). In the spring of 1904, serial production of machine guns began at the Tula Arms Plant.
Options
Based on Hiram Maxim's design various countries Many variants of the machine gun were made.
"Maxim" model 1910
"Maxim" model 1910/30
While using the Maxim machine gun, it became clear that in most cases fire was fired at a distance of 800 to 1000 m, but at such a range there was no big difference in the trajectory of a light bullet arr. 1908 and heavy bullet mod. 1930
In 1930, the machine gun was again modernized, the following changes were made to the weapon:
Equipped with a folding butt plate, therefore the right and left valves were changed, as well as the connection of the release lever and rod
-the safety was moved to the trigger, this eliminated the need to use both hands when opening fire
-a return spring tension indicator has been installed
-the sight has changed, a stand and a clamp with a latch have been introduced, the scale on the rear sight for lateral adjustments has been increased
-a buffer appeared - a shield holder attached to the machine gun casing
-equipped with a separate firing pin for the firing pin
-specially for long-distance shooting and from closed positions, a heavy bullet mod. 1930, optical sight and protractor - quadrant
-For greater strength the barrel casing began to be made with longitudinal corrugation
The modernized machine gun received the designation “7.62 heavy machine gun of the Maxim system, model 1910/30”
In 1940, following the experience of the Soviet-Finnish War, the machine gun was equipped with a wide filler hole and a drain valve for the pouring hole (following the example of the Finnish M32), now in winter conditions Ice and snow could be stuffed into the casing.
"Maxim" M/32-33
This Finnish machine gun is a modification of the Russian machine gun of the 1910 model. The Maxim M/32-33 was created by the Finnish gunsmith Aimo Lahti in 1932, it could fire at a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute, while the Russian machine gun of the 1910 model fired at a rate of 600 rounds per minute .; In addition, the Maxim M/32-33 had a number of other innovations. It was actively used by the Finnish side in the Soviet-Finnish conflict. The ammunition used differed in tolerances from the Soviet one.
TTX "Maxim" M/32-33
Caliber: 7.62 mm
-Cartridge: 7.62x53 mm R Finnish.
-Rate of fire: 650-850 rounds/min.
-Effective firing range: 2000 m
"Vickers"
MG 08
MG 11
Swiss modification of Maxim, based on MG 08. Used standard Swiss rifle cartridge 7.5x55 mm Schmidt-Rubin.
PV-1 (air machine gun)
Type 24
Type 24 is a Chinese version of the Maxim machine gun, which is a copy of the German MG-08. Subsequently, many of them were modernized for the Soviet cartridge 7.62x54 mm R.
Large-caliber options
In addition to variants for rifle caliber, large-caliber versions of the Maxim were also produced: Vickers .50 (12.7x81 mm), used in the British Navy and Ground Forces, and the experimental MG 18 TuF (13.25x92 mm SR). The Vickers .50 was used during World War II. There were also quad modifications used as anti-aircraft machine guns.
Performance characteristics of the Maxima machine gun
Type: heavy machine gun
-Weight, kg: 64.3
-Length, mm: 1067
-Barrel length, mm: 721
-Cartridge: 7.62x54 mm R (Maxim model 1910); 7.92x57 mm Mauser (MG 08); .303 British (Vickers); 7.5x55 mm (MG 11); 8x50 mm R Mannlicher
-Caliber, mm: 7.62
- Operating principles: barrel recoil, crank locking
-Rate of fire, rounds/min: 600
-Initial bullet speed, m/s: 740
-Type of ammunition: machine gun belt for 250 rounds
Machine guns "Maxim"
Machine gun of the H. Maxim system, model 1910/30
The Maxim machine gun, model 1910, is a Russian version of the British machine gun, which was modernized at the Tula Arms Plant under the leadership of masters I. Pastukhov, I. Sudakov and P. Tretyakov. The body weight of the machine gun was reduced and some details were changed: the adoption of a cartridge with a pointed bullet of the 1908 model made it necessary to change the sighting devices in the machine gun and remake the receiver so that it would fit the new cartridge. The English wheeled carriage was replaced with a lightweight wheeled carriage by A. Sokolov. In addition, A. Sokolov designed cartridge boxes, a gig for transporting cartridges, and sealed cylinders for boxes with cartridges. Some machine guns had a casing with longitudinal fins, which increased rigidity and increased the cooling surface, but fins had to be abandoned to simplify production. ( S. Fedoseev. Machine gun "Maxim" model 1910)
Maxim machine guns were used during the First World War and the Civil War; they were used as heavy machine guns and installed on armored cars, armored trains and carts. In 1929, a pilot batch with a corrugated casing was produced, according to some sources with a wide neck, but it was not accepted for production. ( S. L. Fedoseev. "Russian machine guns. Heavy fire"). In 1930, the Maxim was modernized in connection with the adoption of a new cartridge with a heavy bullet. A corrugated casing is also introduced to make the machine gun lighter. The modernized machine gun was called the "7.62 heavy machine gun of the Maxim system, model 1910/30."
Basic tactics specifications:
Maxim machine gun body weight with coolant - 24.2 kg
Weight of Sokolov's machine with shield - 43.4 kg
Machine gun body length - 1107 mm
The maximum width of the machine gun is 140 mm
Rate of fire - 500-600 rounds per minute
Maximum bullet range:
heavy model 1930 - up to 5000 m
light model 1908 - up to 3500 m
The Maxim machine gun model 1910/30 belongs to automatic weapon systems with barrel recoil (short stroke). Locking is carried out by a crank-type mechanism (connecting rod and crank). The machine gun's trigger mechanism is designed for automatic fire only and has a safety device against accidental shots. The machine gun is fed with cartridges from a slide-type receiver with a metal or canvas belt for 250 rounds. When firing, the barrel is cooled by a liquid placed in the casing. The machine gun sight is rack-mounted, the front sight has a rectangular top.
By the end of the 30s, the design of the machine gun was considered obsolete for rifle units. The time of the carts had passed, and the machine gun was powerless against tanks. One of the disadvantages was its former advantage, which allowed continuous shooting - water cooling of the barrel. It significantly increased the weight of the weapon, damage to the casing led to water pouring out, a decrease in the speed and accuracy of fire, and after some time led to the failure of the machine gun. The machine gun became especially inconvenient when operating in the mountains and on the offensive. The machine gun with the machine weighed about 65 kg, the weight of the box with cartridge belt was from 9.88 to 10.3 kilograms, the box with spare parts was 7.2 kilograms. Each heavy machine gun carried a combat set of cartridges, 12 boxes with machine gun belts, two spare barrels, one box with spare parts, one box with accessories, three cans for water and lubricant, and an optical machine gun sight. ( From a manual for an infantry fighter. Chapter 12. Service of a heavy machine gun. 1940). This weight significantly reduced the maneuverability of the machine gun during battle, and the protruding shield made camouflage difficult. On the march, the machine gun was serviced by a team of 5-7 people (machine gun squad), during the battle - by 2-3 people.
The need for a link metal tape was recognized. This type of tape was used in the PV-1 aircraft machine gun, created on the basis of the Maxim. The fact that this tape was not accepted for ground machine guns is explained by the lack of stamping and pressing equipment allowing its mass production.
To replace the Maxim, on September 22, 1939, a new air-cooled air-cooled machine gun, the Degtyarev easel model 1939, was adopted. But the Tula Arms Plant continued to produce Maxims of the 1910/30 model - in 1940, 4049 Maxim machine guns were produced; in terms of orders from the People's Commissariat of Defense for land weapons, 3000 pieces were planned for 1941 ( S. L. Fedoseev. Russian machine guns. Heavy fire). Structurally, the DS-39 machine guns turned out to be unfinished; in June 1941 they were discontinued, and production of Maxims began to increase with the beginning of the war. But already in October 1941, the production of machine guns dropped sharply due to the evacuation of factories.
The main manufacturer of heavy machine guns was the Tula Machine-Building Plant No. 66. In October 1941, due to the approach of Nazi troops to Tula, the equipment of the plant No. 66 was evacuated to the Urals. The production of machine guns declined sharply. During the siege of Tula (November - December 1941), on the basis of the Tula Arms Factory and using equipment collected from other enterprises of the city, among other weapons, 224 Degtyarev heavy machine guns and 71 Maxim system machine guns were assembled. in the last quarter of 1941, instead of the planned 12 thousand Maxim machine guns, the front received 867. For the entire 1941, 9691 Maxim machine guns and 3717 DS machine guns were produced. S. L. Fedoseev. Russian machine guns. Heavy fire).
From October 4 to October 12, 1941, engineers Yu.A. Kozarin and I.E. Lubenets under the leadership of chief designer A.A. Tronenkov at the Tula Arms Plant undertook another modernization of the Maxim machine gun in accordance with new combat, production and economic requirements. To fill the casing with ice and snow, it was equipped with a wide neck with a hinged lid - this decision was borrowed from the Finnish Maxim M32-33, which the Soviet army had to face in 1940. The machine gun was equipped with a simplified sight with one sighting bar instead of two, which were previously replaced depending on the shooting of a light or heavy bullet; the bracket for optical sight, since the latter was not attached to the machine gun.
For using metal and canvas tapes I.E. Lubenets developed a milled receiver; for ease of unloading it was equipped with a special switch upper fingers. But, in order to make maximum use of the significant reserves of canvas tapes, receivers only for them continued to be produced throughout the war. Then, in October, the People's Commissariat of Armaments and the State Autonomous Administration approved design changes, but improvements continued. Since 1942, receivers began to be produced from silumin by injection molding or from broached steel.
The Maxim machine gun is the first automatic weapon in history that uses the removal of powder gases to fire and reload a cartridge. The developed Maxim machine gun, the design and operating principle of which turned out to be so successful that from the second half of the 19th century to the present, this heavy machine gun has been used modern world is still in service. Having all kinds of modifications and calibers, the principle of shooting remains unchanged.
Brief performance characteristics of the Maxim machine gun
History of the Maxim machine gun
- 1873– production of the first sample of the Maxim machine gun;
- Autumn 1882– final development of machine gun drawings;
- 1883 —1895 – many patents have been issued for these weapons;
- 1888– first demonstration of the product in Russia;
- 1898- the first mass use of a machine gun by British troops in Sudan;
- 1899– the first successful version was manufactured for the British 7.7 mm cartridge;
- May 1899– the first batch of machine guns manufactured in Britain was delivered to St. Petersburg;
- 1901– adoption into service in the Russian army;
- May 1904– start of production at the Tula Arms Plant;
- 1910– development of a Russian model;
- 1930– new modernization of the Soviet machine gun;
- 1931– start of production of a quadruple anti-aircraft gun.
Who created
Hiram Stevens was a famous inventor. His inventions are known in various fields. Creating a machine gun was his long-time dream.
The world's first Gatling machine gun, which had from 6 to 10 barrels, was effective at that time, but was heavy and inconvenient to use. It was necessary to turn the barrel rotation knob with one hand, and with the other to direct the fire towards the enemy.
The first Gatling gun Stevens came up with a more advanced weapon, in which he was the first to use recoil energy to automatically reload and fire a cartridge.
However, American gunsmiths refused to introduce the machine gun into production, citing complexity and high cost. The required high precision processing of machine gun parts required the involvement of many qualified specialists. The cost of one copy, at that time, was comparable to the cost of a steam locomotive.
Hiram Stevens emigrated to England, where he spent a long time marketing work among the leadership of countries and the military elite. He found interested entrepreneurs in the production of these weapons.
For more attraction attention to his creation, he used such a trick - in the documents he corrected the rate of fire from 600 to 666 , - allegedly emphasizing that this is a “devilish” weapon. Despite the indignation of churches and pacifists, the inventor ensured that the leading powers began to buy the machine gun.
Nathan Rothschild undertook to finance the project. Apparently, the world's behind-the-scenes elite was already planning the massacre.
History of production development
The first customer of several copies was Kaiser Wilhelm, who personally tested the machine gun.
The inventor brought a machine gun to Russia, from which Tsar Alexander III fired. Russia ordered 12 units chambered for the Berdan rifle (10.67 mm). Subsequently, the barrels were converted to the caliber of the Mosin rifle (7.62 mm). In total, during the period 1897-1904, Russia purchased 291 units.
The production license was sold to Germany, America and Russia.
From the time I received the machine gun Russian citizenship, at the Tula Arms Plant it underwent a number of upgrades.
In the history of the Maxim machine gun, there are many names written about who invented this type of weapon.
Changes introduced in the Russian version of the combat product:
- sighting device changed;
- the receiver mechanism was redesigned for a new cartridge;
- the hole in the muzzle sleeve has been expanded;
- the carriage was replaced with a Sokolov wheeled machine;
- the size of the armor shield has been reduced;
- Ammo boxes have been changed;
- a folding butt pad is installed;
- the fuse was moved to the trigger area, which speeded up the firing process;
- added return spring tension indicator;
- the sight has been changed with an enlarged scale;
- a separate firing pin is introduced to the firing pin;
- for long-range shooting, a heavy bullet and an optical sight were introduced;
- The water casing is reinforced with longitudinal corrugation.
In order to provide the army with machine guns chambered for the domestic cartridge, in the 20s of the last century our designers tried to develop their own models of automatic weapons. Based on the Maxim machine gun, Tula gunsmith F.V. Tokarev undertook to solve this problem. He was the first to invent the Maxim machine gun.
He created the MT model, a light machine gun of the Maxim-Tokarev system, which had a wooden butt and air cooling. However, the weight remained high.
It had some advantages over foreign analogues, and was put into service in 1925.
In 1923, another inventor of the Maxim machine gun appeared. On the basic design by gunsmith I.N. Kolesnikov created the Maxim-Kolesnikov machine gun. It was distinguished by its original pistol grip.
Both products were subjected to field tests, according to the results of which MT received the advantage. In 1925, its mass production began, which ceased in 1927.
Dekhtyarev's new heavy machine gun, which was hastily adopted in those years, turned out to be unreliable. In order to provide the army with weapons, industry is forced to return to the production of Maxim, which was manufactured in Izhevsk and Tula until the end of the Great Patriotic War.
Combat use
The British first used a machine gun on the battlefield during the battle against the Mahdi's superior army in Sudan. An army of thousands, armed with muskets, was defeated in short period. The results of this massacre showed that the tactics of field battles must change radically. This fact was confirmed by the events that took place on the battlefields of the 20th century.
Changes in troop tactics after the introduction of the machine gun:
- the infantry went deeper into the trenches;
- the cavalry ceased to exist;
- line attacks stopped;
- gun volleys are a thing of the past.
The first samples were equipped with heavy gun carriages and resembled a cannon. They were classified as artillery and used for the defense of fortresses and fortified positions.
The first large-scale use of the machine gun in the 20th century occurred between Russia and Japan in May 1904 in the defense of Port Arthur. Both sides used them as miniature artillery, opening fire from the rear, over the heads of their soldiers, at enemy positions. The same version of the Maxim weapon was used during the 1st World War.
After a number of modifications, the sample acquired the well-known classic appearance on a frame with wheels. This option was more mobile; it was used not only in defense, but also in attack. The weight of the weapon changed from 244 to 65 kg.
The machine gun was mounted on spring carts.
As well as armored cars, armored trains and ships. It was also used in anti-aircraft artillery.
During the Civil War, the cart was used effectively against infantry and cavalry. Nestor Makhno was the first to use the tactics of fighting on carts.
Maxim on a cart With the advent of armored vehicles and tanks in the army, carts lost their role, and legendary machine gun continued with his life.
Armored car with a Maximov machine gun 
The machine gun was widely used during the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. The last large-scale use of these weapons was during the Sino-Soviet conflict on Damansky Island in 1969.
Currently, the machine gun is used by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the civil conflict in the South-East of Ukraine.
A Right Sector fighter and a Maximka machine gun at a firing position near Donetsk How the Maxim machine gun works - TTX
| Weight with machine, kg | 64,3 |
| Body weight with barrel, kg | 20,3 |
| Length, mm | 1067 |
| Barrel length, mm | 721 |
| Cartridge, mm | 7.62x54 |
| Combat rate of fire, rpm | 250-300 |
| Maximum rate of fire, rpm | 600 |
| Initial bullet speed, m/sec | 855 |
| Number of shots | 200/250 in tape |
| Barrel diameter | 7.62x54 mm, 4 grooves |
| Sighting range, m | 2300 |
| Maximum sighting range, m | 3800 |
| Effective sighting range, m | 600 |
| Stroke width, mm | 505 |
| Type of ammunition: | canvas or metal cartridge belt for 250 |
| Work principles: | gas outlet, crank locking |
| Machine gun crew | 3 people |
Maxim machine gun: design and principle of operation
Design
General design of the Maxim machine gun Atlas of drawings 1906
From the drawings presented above, we can conclude that the machine gun mechanisms are highly complex.
How does the Maxim machine gun work?
Loading
- Thread the cartridge belt into the receiver;
- Move the handle to the front and rear positions. At the same time, the belt with cartridges will move, and the first cartridge will stand opposite the lock (A). The lock moves forward and captures the cartridge (B);
- Repeatedly vigorously move the handle back and forth. When the handle moves forward, the lock removes the cartridge from the belt (B). When the handle moves to its original position, the cartridge enters the barrel bore, the tape moves onto one cartridge, which again captures the lock (G). The machine gun is ready to fire;
How does the Maxim machine gun work? Shooting
- The design of the Maxim machine gun is such that when you press the trigger, a shot is fired. Under the influence of powder gases, the lock with a new cartridge and spent cartridge case moves backward (A). The handle automatically goes forward (B);
Maxim machine gun, shooting - The cartridge and cartridge case move down, and under the influence of the return spring, the lock moves forward, the cartridge is inserted into the barrel bore, and spent cartridge case– into the sleeve output tube (B), which pushes out the previous sleeve. Another shot is fired (D). The next cartridge is captured, the lock moves back, and the process repeats;
Maxim machine gun, shooting Modifications of the Maxim machine gun
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MG 08
MG 11
Advantages and disadvantages of the Maxim machine gun
Advantages
- high rate of fire;
- good accuracy of fire;
- high reliability and durability;
- the ability to fire in long bursts;
- large ammunition capacity;
- presence of armor protection;
- comfortable ergonomics when shooting.
Flaws
- short effective firing range;
- how much does a Maxim machine gun weigh?
- low maneuverability;
- high profile, making camouflage difficult and making the machine gunner an easy target;
- complexity of the design, making disassembly and assembly difficult;
- high cost and difficulty in production;
- low efficiency when water is scarce;
- combat crew of 3 people.
Operating countries
| A country | Usage |
| Bulgaria | Austro-Hungarian and Russian designs |
| Great Britain | Own production |
| German Empire | Own production |
| Greece | Purchase for your own 6.5x54 mm cartridge |
| Kingdom of Italy | Purchase |
| Serbia | Manufactured in Germany chambered for 7x57 mm |
| Ottoman Empire | 220 pcs., purchase |
| Russian empire | Own production |
| Romania | Purchase chambered for 6.5x53 mm |
| USSR | Own production |
| Montenegro | Purchase from Germany chambered for 7.62x54 |
| Finland | Own production |
| Switzerland | Own production |
| Ukraine | There are about 35,000 pieces in MO storage. |
Cultural use
This great invention of murder has become the hero of many folklore works of the world. Poems and songs were dedicated to him. His image was described in many works of literature and cinema. Films about the Civil War and the 2nd World War could not do without him.
Art films
- Chapaev;
- Officers;
- Brother 2.
Songs
- Two maxims;
- Maxim machine gun.
Many documentaries have been filmed.
Documentary video
Video about the Maxim machine gun - device
Today, civilian models of the machine gun are available for public sale. Many models have been developed for collectors, construction sets and toys made from various materials from metal to cardboard.
Conclusion
Despite the many existing types modern machine guns, Maxim remains a current model of infantry weapons. Due to its reliability, strength and density of fire, it is still applicable in organizing defense firing points. Tens of thousands of working copies are mothballed in warehouses, ready for use in the event of aggression by Russia's enemies.
Your rating is very important:), Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Great Patriotic War, Korean War, Donbass War
Maxim machine gun model 1910(GAU index - 56-P-421) - an easel machine gun, a variant of the British Maxim machine gun, widely used by the Russian and Soviet armies during the First World War and the Second World War. The machine gun was used to destroy open group targets and enemy fire weapons at a distance of up to 1000 m.
Encyclopedic YouTube
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✪ Russian version of the Maxim machine gun. Design and principle of operation.
✪ Maxim machine gun
✪ Russian Machine Gun MAXIM PM 1910
✪ Maxim machine gun
✪ Shocking discoveries of WWII part 10
Subtitles
Story
After a successful demonstration of the machine gun in Switzerland, Italy and Austria-Hungary, Hiram Maxim came to Russia with a demonstration example of a .45 caliber (11.43 mm) machine gun.
In 1887, a Maxim machine gun chambered for a 10.67 mm Berdan rifle cartridge with black powder was tested.
Vickers, Sons & Maxim began supplying Maxim machine guns to Russia. The machine guns were delivered to St. Petersburg in May 1899. The Russian navy also became interested in the new weapon; it ordered two more machine guns for testing.
To increase the reliability of the automatic operation of the 7.62 mm machine gun, a “muzzle accelerator” was introduced into the design - a device designed to use the energy of powder gases to increase recoil force. The front of the barrel was thickened to increase the muzzle area and then a muzzle cap was attached to the water casing. The pressure of the powder gases between the muzzle and the cap acted on the muzzle of the barrel, pushing it back and helping it roll back faster.
In 1901, the 7.62-mm Maxim machine gun on an English-style wheeled carriage was adopted by the ground forces; during this year, the first 40 Maxim machine guns entered the Russian army. Overall, during -1904 years 291 machine guns were purchased.
The machine gun (the mass of which on a heavy carriage with large wheels and a large armored shield was 244 kg) was assigned to the artillery. The machine guns were planned to be used for the defense of fortresses, to repel massive enemy infantry attacks with fire from pre-equipped and protected positions.
- this approach may cause bewilderment: even during the Franco-Prussian war, French mitrailleuses, used in an artillery manner, that is, with batteries, were suppressed by Prussian counter-artillery fire due to the obvious superiority of artillery over small-caliber weapons in terms of range.
In March 1904, a contract was signed for the production of Maxim machine guns at the Tula Arms Plant. The cost of production of the Tula machine gun (942 rubles + 80 pounds sterling commission to the Vickers company, about 1,700 rubles in total) was cheaper than the cost of acquisition from the British (2,288 rubles 20 kopecks per machine gun). In May 1904, serial production of machine guns began at the Tula Arms Plant.
At the beginning of 1909 the main thing artillery department announced a competition for the modernization of the machine gun, as a result of which in August 1910 a modified version of the machine gun was adopted for service: the 7.62-mm Maxim machine gun of the 1910 model, which was modernized at the Tula Arms Plant under the guidance of masters I. A. Pastukhov, I. A. Sudakova and P. P. Tretyakova. The weight of the machine gun body was reduced and some details were changed: a number of bronze parts were replaced with steel, sighting devices were changed to match the ballistics of a cartridge with a pointed bullet mod. 1908, they changed the receiver to fit the new cartridge, and also widened the hole in the muzzle sleeve. The English wheeled carriage was replaced with a lightweight wheeled carriage by A. A. Sokolov, and the English-style armor shield was replaced with an armor shield of reduced size. In addition, A. A. Sokolov designed cartridge boxes, a gig for transporting cartridges, and sealed cylinders for boxes with cartridges.
Maxim machine gun mod. 1910 with the machine weighed 62.66 kg (and together with the liquid poured into the casing to cool the barrel - about 70 kg).
Mechanism
The automatic machine gun operates on the principle of using the recoil of the barrel.
The design of the Maxim machine gun: the barrel is coated on the outside with a thin layer of copper to protect it from rust. A casing is placed on the barrel, filled with water to cool the barrel. Water is poured through a tube connected to the casing by a pipe with a tap. To release water there is a hole closed with a screw cap. The casing has a steam outlet pipe through which steam escapes when firing through a hole in the muzzle (closed with a plug). A short, movable tube is placed on the tube. At elevation angles, it lowers and closes the lower hole of the tube, as a result of which water cannot enter this latter, and the steam accumulated in the upper part of the casing will enter through the upper hole into the tube and then exit through the tube to the outside. The opposite will happen at declination angles. To wind the front and rear oil seals, twisted asbestos thread impregnated with gun grease is used.
In 1915, they adopted and began production of a simplified machine gun of the Kolesnikov system model 1915.
Combat use in the Civil War
During the Civil War, the Maxim machine gun mod. 1910 was the main type of machine gun of the Red Army. In addition to machine guns from the warehouses of the Russian army and trophies captured during the fighting, in 1918-1920 at arms factories Soviet Russia 21 thousand new machine guns mod. were produced for the Red Army. 1910, several thousand more were repaired
In the 1920-1930s in the USSR
In the 1920s, based on the design of the machine gun, new types of weapons were developed in the USSR: the Maxim-Tokarev light machine gun and the PV-1 aircraft machine gun.
In 1928, an anti-aircraft tripod mod. 1928 system of M. N. Kondakov. In addition, in 1928, the development of quad Maxim anti-aircraft machine gun mounts began. In 1929, an anti-aircraft ring sight mod. 1929.
In 1935, new staff levels of the Red Army rifle division were established, according to which the number of Maxim heavy machine guns in the division was slightly reduced (from 189 to 180 units), and the number light machine guns- increased (from 81 pcs. to 350 pcs.)
In 1938, a machine gun mount was developed for installing a Maxim machine gun into the body of an onboard vehicle, which consisted of a welded structure made of metal pipes bolted to the body and a wooden table on shock-absorbing springs, on which a Maxim machine gun mod. 1910/30 on an infantry wheeled machine. In December 1938, after completion of the tests, the machine gun mount was recommended for use in armored units of the Red Army (but when converting a truck into the back of a car, it was recommended to install seats for the machine gun crew).
The cost of one Maxim machine gun on a Sokolov machine (with a set of spare parts) in 1939 was 2,635 rubles; the cost of a Maxim machine gun on a universal machine (with a set of spare parts) is 5960 rubles; the cost of a 250-cartridge belt is 19 rubles
In the spring of 1941, in accordance with the staff of the RKKA rifle division No. 04/400-416 dated April 5, 1941, the standard number of Maxim heavy machine guns was reduced to 166 pieces, and the number of anti-aircraft machine guns was increased (to 24 pieces 7 ,62-mm complex anti-aircraft machine guns and 9 pieces of 12.7-mm DShK machine guns).
Maxim machine gun mod. 1910/1930
During combat use Maxim's machine gun, it became clear that in most cases fire was fired at a distance of 800 to 1000 meters, and at such a range there was no noticeable difference in the trajectory of light and heavy bullets.
In 1930, the machine gun was again modernized. The modernization was carried out by P. P. Tretyakov, I.A. Pastukhov, K.N. Rudnev and A.A. Tronenkov. The following changes were made to the design:
The modernized machine gun was called the “7.62 heavy machine gun of the Maxim system, model 1910/30.” In 1931, a more advanced universal machine gun model 1931 of the S. V. Vladimirov system and a PS-31 machine gun for long-term firing points were developed and put into service.
By the end of the 1930s, the design of the machine gun was obsolete, primarily due to its large weight and size.
On September 22, 1939, the “7.62-mm machine gun mod. 1939 DS-39, which was intended to replace Maxim machine guns. However, the operation of the DS-39 in the army revealed design flaws, as well as unreliable operation of the automation when using cartridges with a brass sleeve (for reliable operation of the automation, the DS-39 required cartridges with a steel sleeve).
During the Finnish war of 1939-1940. Not only designers and manufacturers tried to improve the combat capabilities of the Maxim machine gun, but also directly among the troops. IN winter time the machine gun was mounted on skis, sleds or drag boats, on which the machine gun was moved through the snow and from which they fired, if necessary. In addition, in the winter of 1939-1940, cases were noted when machine gunners mounted on the armor of tanks installed Maxim machine guns on the roofs of tank turrets and fired at the enemy, supporting the advancing infantry.
In 1940, in the barrel water cooling casing for quick water changes, the small diameter water filling hole was replaced with a wide neck. This innovation was borrowed from the Finnish Maxim ( Maxim M32-33) and made it possible to solve the problem of the crew’s lack of access to coolant in winter; now the casing could be filled with ice and snow.
After the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, in June 1941, the DS-39 was discontinued and enterprises were ordered to resume the curtailed production of Maxim machine guns.
In June 1941, at the Tula Arms Plant, under the leadership of chief engineer A. A. Tronenkov, engineers I. E. Lubenets and Yu. A. Kazarin began the final modernization (in order to improve the manufacturability of production), during which the Maxim was equipped with a simplified sighting device(with one sighting bar instead of two, which were previously replaced depending on whether a light or heavy bullet was fired), the mount for the optical sight was removed from the machine gun machine.
Maxim machine gun as a means of military air defense
Based on the design of the machine gun, single, twin and quad anti-aircraft machine gun mounts were developed, which were the most common weapon in army air defense. For example, the quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount M4 of the 1931 model differed from the conventional Maxim machine gun in the presence of a forced water circulation device and a larger capacity machine gun belts(for 1000 rounds instead of the usual 250) and an anti-aircraft ring sight. The installation was intended for firing at enemy aircraft (at altitudes up to 1400 m at speeds up to 500 km/h). The M4 unit was widely used as a stationary, self-propelled, ship-mounted unit, and was installed in car bodies, armored trains, railway platforms, and on the roofs of buildings.
Twin and quad mounts of Maxim machine guns were also successfully used to fire at ground targets (in particular, to repel enemy infantry attacks). So, during the Finnish war of 1939-1940, units of the 34th tank brigade The Red Army, encircled in the Lemitte-Uomas area, successfully repulsed several attacks by Finnish infantry, using two twin Maxim anti-aircraft machine gun mounts mounted on a lorry as mobile firing points.
Application in the Great Patriotic War
The Maxim machine gun was actively used in the Great Patriotic War. It was in service with infantry and mountain troops, border guards, and the navy, and was installed on armored trains, Willys and GAZ-64 jeeps.
In May 1942, in accordance with the order of the People's Commissar of Armaments of the USSR D.F. Ustinov, a competition was announced for the development of a new design of an easel machine gun for the Red Army (to replace the Maxim machine gun model 1910/30.
On May 15, 1943, the Goryunov SG-43 heavy machine gun with an air-cooled barrel system was adopted by the Red Army, which began entering service in June 1943. But the Maxim machine gun continued to be produced until the end of the war at the Tula and Izhevsk factories, and until its end it was the main heavy machine gun of the Soviet Army.
Operating countries
- Russian empire Russian empire
- Germany Germany: captured machine guns were used during the First World War.
- USSR USSR
- Poland Poland: in 1918-1920, a number of Russian Maxim machine guns mod. 1910 (under the name Maxim wz. 1910) was in service with the Polish army; after the 7.92×57 mm cartridge was adopted as standard rifle-machine-gun ammunition in 1922, a number of machine guns were converted to this cartridge, they received the name Maxim wz. 1910/28.
- Finland Finland: after the declaration of Finnish independence in 1918, up to 600 7.62 mm Maxim machine guns mod. 1910 entered service with the emerging units of the Finnish army, another 163 were sold by Germany; they were used under the name Maxim m/1910, in the 1920s, machine guns were purchased abroad (for example, in 1924, 405 units were purchased in Poland); in 1932, a modernized machine gun was adopted Maxim M/32-33 powered by a metal belt, some of the machine guns installed in pillboxes were equipped with forced water cooling of the barrel. By the winter of 1939, Maxim machine guns of various modifications still made up the bulk of the heavy machine guns of the Finnish army. They were used in the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940. and the “Continuation War” 1941-1944.
- in 1918-1922 a number of Russian Maxim machine guns mod. 1910 entered service with paramilitary forces in China (in particular, Zhang Zuolin received them from white emigrants who retreated to northern China)
- Bulgaria Bulgaria: in 1921-1923 a number of Russian 7.62 mm Maxim machine guns mod. 1910 came into the possession of the Bulgarian army after the disarmament of units of Wrangel’s army that arrived in Bulgaria.
- Second Spanish Republic Second Spanish Republic : After the outbreak of war in Spain in 1936, 3221 machine guns were purchased by the government of the Spanish Republic.
- Mongolian People's Republic Mongolian People's Republic
- Germany Germany: captured Soviet Maxim machine guns (under the name MG 216(r)) were used by the Wehrmacht and entered service with paramilitary and security police forces in the occupied territory of the USSR.
- Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia: in January 1942, the first 12 Maxim machine guns were received by the 1st Czechoslovak separate infantry battalion, and later by other Czechoslovak units.
- Poland
