Britain
0.303" (7.7 mm) Maxim Machine Gun Mark I
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Russia
7.62 mm (0.3") Maxim Machine Gun
Updated 12 February 2012
Hiram Maxim, an American living in Britain, invented this weapon in 1884.  By the early 1890s it had become the standard machine gun of the British Army.  This was the first truly "automatic" weapon in the world, as firing this gun required no manual operation other than pulling the trigger.

Along with many other countries, Russia bought samples of the Maxim in the late 19th century and the Russian Navy adopted it during the Russo-Japanese War, using it extensively for the next half-century.  Prior to World War II it was the main light AA weapon of the Soviet Navy.  During World War II the Soviet Navy used it in single, twin and quad mountings.  As did most nations, the Soviets quickly discovered that rifle-caliber guns were ineffective against modern aircraft and the Maxim was replaced by the heavier 12.7 mm (0.50") DShK MG on most ships.  However, the Maxim was still widely used to arm small and auxiliary ships.

This machine gun was recoil operated, usually water-cooled and used 250-round belts.

The data that follows is specifically for the Russian version except where noted.
WNRussian_7.62mm_Maxim_MG_Twin_pic.jpg

Russian 7.62 mm Maxim Machine Gun in Quad Mounting
WNRussian_7.62mm_Maxim_MG_Single_pic.jpg

Single Maxim 7.62 mm Machine Gun on Russian Submarine
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation Britain: 0.303" (7.7 mm) Maxim MG Mark I
Russia:  7.62 mm (0.3") Maxim MG
Ship Class Used On Britain:  Most warships from 1890 to 1930
Russian/Soviet: Most warships from 1905 to 1945
Date Of Design 1884
Date In Service Britain:  1888
Russian Navy:  1905
Gun Weight 58.4 lbs. (26.5 kg)
Gun Length oa 43.6 in (1.107 m)
Barrel Length 28.4 in (0.720 m)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves 4
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire Britain (1890):  500 rounds per minute cyclic
Russian (1930):  520 - 580 rounds per minute cyclic
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Ammunition
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Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round Britain 1890:  0.96 oz (44 gm)
Projectile Types and Weights Britain 1890:  0.5 oz (14 gm)
Russia M1930:  0.4 oz (12 gm)
Bursting Charge None - Solid Bullet
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge 0.11 oz (3 gm)
Muzzle Velocity Britain (1890):  2,000 fps (610 mps)
Russia (World War II):  2,830 fps (862 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life N/A
Ammunition stowage per gun British ships of World War I generally carried 5,000 to 8,000 rounds per gun
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Range
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Elevation With 7.62 mm x 54 mm round
Max. Effective Range 1,090 yards (1,000 m)
Max. Range 2,950 feet (2,400m)
AA Ceiling 500 feet (150 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation British
   Single Pedestal

Russian/Soviet Navy
   Single Mounts:  M-1
   Twin Mounts:  M-2
   Quad Mounts:  M-4
Weight  British:  160 lbs. (72.6 kg)
Russian:  N/A
Elevation British:  -47 / +20 degrees
Russian:  N/A
Elevation Rate Manual operation only
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate Manual operation only
Gun recoil N/A
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Data from
"Big Gun Monitors:  The History of the Design, Construction and Operation of the Royal Navy's Monitors" by Ian Buxton
"Warship 1990" article by Keith McBride
"Rapid Fire" by Anthony G. Williams
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http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/mghvruss.htm
"Flot vo Slavu Rossii" (Fleet in honor of Russia) CD
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Special help from Vladimir Yakubov
Page History

21 May 2006 - Benchmark
12 February 2012 - Updated to latest template