Invented in 1884, the Maxim gun was the first recoil-powered machine gun in the world. This efficient mechanism allowed a higher rate of fire than earlier Gatling-style guns. This high rate of fire built up enormous heat, however, so the Maxim gun used a heavy water cooling system to prevent the barrel from melting under heavy use. This made it difficult to maneuver into position. To make the weapon more maneuverable, Colonel Sokolov developed a low, small-wheeled carriage in 1910.
The Maxim gun was used extensively during World War I, and was fielded by both sides during the Russian Civil War in 1917. The Soviet army continued to use it as one of its primary heavy machine guns throughout World War II. They even modified the water-cooling system after 1940 to allow snow and ice to be used in place of water.
The Maxim gun weighed more than 23 kilograms and measured over a meter in length. It could fire nearly 600 rounds per minute from 250-round belts.
The Maxim gun was used extensively during World War I, and was fielded by both sides during the Russian Civil War in 1917. The Soviet army continued to use it as one of its primary heavy machine guns throughout World War II. They even modified the water-cooling system after 1940 to allow snow and ice to be used in place of water.
The Maxim gun weighed more than 23 kilograms and measured over a meter in length. It could fire nearly 600 rounds per minute from 250-round belts.
- Includes unit flags and unit cards for use with the Art of Tactic WWII game.
