What is the Best Maxim Gun? (with John Keene)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
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    Today, Ian is talking to John Keene, NFA specialist for Morphy Auctions. The question is, what is the best model of Maxim gun? Whether it's for a recreation shooter or a historical enthusiast, there are some models that are better than others...
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ความคิดเห็น • 374

  • @rekire___
    @rekire___ 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +736

    Perhaps the best maxim is the one we made along the way

    • @aidensidk3273
      @aidensidk3273 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Clever girl

    • @MediocreNed
      @MediocreNed 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

      There's a special place in hell for "we made along the way" commenters. That said I still laugh at it though.

    • @DeliciousBoi
      @DeliciousBoi 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      1st rule about Improvised Garage Maxims: SHUT IT.

    • @AsbestosMuffins
      @AsbestosMuffins 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      no because none of the parts quite fit

    • @Bobbymaccys
      @Bobbymaccys 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      This comment works as well as the Vickers 😂

  • @WG55
    @WG55 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +69

    The famous Hiram Maxim quote on why he abandoned chemistry and electricity to design armaments: "I was in Vienna, where I met an American whom I had known in the States. He said: 'Hang your chemistry and electricity! If you want to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable these Europeans to cut each other’s throats with greater facility.'"

  • @romanbrough
    @romanbrough 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +188

    I recall reading of an account of the time when the British army was moving from 303 to 7.62. Someone decided to use up a million rounds of obsolete 303. So, they got a water cooled Vickers and fired it all off with, as I recall, zero problems. I do remember that they used snow shovels to move the spent brass.

    • @lars611farmer3
      @lars611farmer3 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

      Yeah Ian also mentioned this one time

    • @darthkarl99
      @darthkarl99 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +24

      And aside from obviously the barrels they burned through no measurable wear on the rest of the gun afterward. It's sheer reliability was by far its most lauded and loved feature

    • @chemistryofquestionablequa6252
      @chemistryofquestionablequa6252 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +38

      @@darthkarl99not even the barrels really, at least not nearly as much wear as an air cooled gun. The water cooling is really good for cutting down on barrel wear.

    • @famalam943
      @famalam943 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@chemistryofquestionablequa6252the rifle it would be worn out but in terms of changing the barrel because of warping isn’t a thing

  • @darthhodges
    @darthhodges 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +230

    If I could wish myself a Maxim it'd be the one with the most polished brass on it.

    • @PieterBreda
      @PieterBreda 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Good luck paying for the ammo.

    • @beargillium2369
      @beargillium2369 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      ​@@PieterBredabuy a Breda instead he says 😅

    • @chinesesparrows
      @chinesesparrows 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Wrong magazine

    • @TOKOLOSHE100
      @TOKOLOSHE100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Boer War version is all cast iron and brass!

    • @BrickNewton
      @BrickNewton 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ​@@chinesesparrowsas a teenager I know I polished my brass to Maxim 😂

  • @juanmolivares1113
    @juanmolivares1113 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +71

    Jonathan Ferguson:
    "I told you, ....Ian"
    *Take a sip of a tea cup as sign of victory*

    • @norsethenomad5978
      @norsethenomad5978 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      You misspelled his name, its Johnathan Fergusson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armories Museum in the UK

    • @katherinespezia4609
      @katherinespezia4609 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      @@norsethenomad5978 Which houses a collection of iconic weapons from throughout history.

  • @saltycanadian6190
    @saltycanadian6190 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +81

    Chauchat just casually chilling in the background…. Goddamn they have cool stuff there

    • @Telamon8
      @Telamon8 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      Two Chauchats right next to each other, at that

    • @Chaosrain112
      @Chaosrain112 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Need follow up video "What is the best Chauchat?" for someone that wants a magdumper.

    • @saltycanadian6190
      @saltycanadian6190 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Chaosrain112 it’s just rare, I don’t think it’s a good gun.

    • @jonaslechat9472
      @jonaslechat9472 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Chaosrain112 the better one is the belgium one... it ain't and wasn't much but it was better. That being said if you used your french chauchat as semi auto rifle during ww1 from the trenches, you really had superb gun

  • @DerLaCroix1
    @DerLaCroix1 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +243

    To this day, "08/15" is a german slang for "a standard version that everybody has one of".

    • @RichelieuUnlimited
      @RichelieuUnlimited 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +42

      Null-Acht-Fünfzehn

    • @harrisonbergeron9746
      @harrisonbergeron9746 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      'strich acht' actually, i believe

    • @robertkalinic335
      @robertkalinic335 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Can u use it in sentence as an example so people who try to learn german can use it?

    • @nonsquarepixels
      @nonsquarepixels 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +51

      @@robertkalinic335 "Ich habe mir heute einen Fernseher geleistet, so ein OLED-Modell, richtig schick, nicht so ein _null-acht-fünfzehn_-Gerät."
      "Today I splurged on a new TV set, an OLED model and stylish to boot, so it's not your _typical, run-of-the-mill_ device."

    • @robertkalinic335
      @robertkalinic335 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      @@nonsquarepixels danke schön

  • @banditdelta7172
    @banditdelta7172 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +45

    As a younger gun enthusiast i have basically given up hope that I'll ever be able to afford any NFA item, but man would I love to have a Maxim, it's such an icon

    • @Stevarooni
      @Stevarooni 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Machine guns are definitely on the high-priced end of things, but suppressors and SBRs are definitely in the range of "possible" if you can afford a gun or two a year. A suppressor costs about as much as a moderate-priced firearm, plus two hundred just to smack you in the gut.

    • @kirksealls1912
      @kirksealls1912 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Never give up hope. There absolutely will be people your age who will one day own Maxim guns, maybe not many but it would be a fallacy to think they won’t exist, and perhaps the only thing they all will have in common is that they all believed along the way they could

    • @BobSmith-dk8nw
      @BobSmith-dk8nw 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The thing is - if you are in the military - automatic weapons are firing ammunition paid for by the government. If you are not in the military - YOU - are paying for that ammunition.
      So - for the average person - you're not an average person if you can afford to buy and use machine guns.
      .

    • @Gaspard129
      @Gaspard129 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      This is why we need to petition to remove the Hughes amendment. It won't make historic mgs appreciably cheaper, but modern production full-auto AR's, AK's, and others would cost little more than their semi-auto counterparts.

  • @user-sn5nh7md5o
    @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +41

    I've met Mr. Keene a few times at Morphy's, great guy, very knowledgeable. Got two of my three belt feds from Morphy's, (MG 08/15 Maxim and Browning 1919A4). Plus a Vickers Mk I from Midwest Tactical. Agreed, great video. Look for a MG 08 Maxim right now. My dream Maxim? Finish made or captured 1910 Russian snow cap with the 1909 commercial mount. I'm with Ian on this one. Winter War/War of Continuation classic! If you want to learn more, get Dolf Goldsmith's books, all of them. Became friends with Mr. Goldsmith over the years. He gave me a master class of Maxim maintenance at Knob Creek when I told him I was getting my 08/15. I was the third person to put money down on his last book, (And there is a great story how that came about. Ian, I'll tell you that one if I ever meet you). The last time I spook to him before he passed, I told his I was getting the 1919 and read what he wrote to me in "Browning Machine Guns Vol. 1" We had a good laugh, wow do I miss that guy.

    • @curiousentertainment3008
      @curiousentertainment3008 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What do you do for a living?

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@curiousentertainment3008 Train conductor/National Guard Infantry NCO. Some of those army bonuses have come in handy.

  • @spartan8705
    @spartan8705 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +69

    The Vickers is very historically significant too, given it served in both world wars and a bit beyond
    And since you rated it as No.1 for practicality, there's a strong argument to get one
    maybe dig into the archives and find a specific example that went all over the place

    • @jonprince3237
      @jonprince3237 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      The Vickers machine gun and research association here in the U.K. can probably help you with that. The collection holds a number of examples that are both "well travelled" and have unique and intetesting histories.

    • @kiwigrunt330
      @kiwigrunt330 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Ian used to own one. He sold it because he found it a bit Null-Acht-Fünfzehn. Or rather, he found it boring.

  • @reggiedixon2
    @reggiedixon2 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +85

    The question should have been "Which Vickers gun is the best Maxim?"

    • @reggiedixon2
      @reggiedixon2 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@DestinationBarbarism Hey, I just comment here. You need to take this up with management if it is so important. Hint, it isn't.

  • @PaulScunnion207
    @PaulScunnion207 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    There’s a One-Pounder Pom Pom just sitting out in the elements at a park in Bridgton, Maine.
    I thought it was a comically large display statue until I looked into it.

  • @pablowentscobar
    @pablowentscobar 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    "Back in my day we could buy bullets for a Nickle!" Ok John, settle down. Lol

    • @jfess1911
      @jfess1911 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      And my kids would say "and you could buy a car for $75. Yeah, yeah, heard it before, Grandpa. Time for your nap."

    • @chrisyungeberg6978
      @chrisyungeberg6978 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      That's right up there with "back in the day, an SKS was $20. They were practically giving them away by the crate!" Gotta love Fudd lore

    • @jfess1911
      @jfess1911 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@chrisyungeberg6978 How about "if the hardware store was out of change, they would just give you an M1 Carbine or two."

    • @joecuppko40uh29
      @joecuppko40uh29 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@chrisyungeberg6978 Never saw 1 for $20, but did see them for $60 many a time. and cheapest car I ever bought was a Austin Healy 63 Sprite for $35, had a bad clutch, then I stripped the copper starter bolt and had to buy a new starter, the starter was $95, lol.

    • @BobSmith-dk8nw
      @BobSmith-dk8nw 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I can remember when All those things were cheap.
      When I was in High School - I and my buddies were all in a Jr. ROTC unit - and we used to go camping and shooting on a regular basis. We'd drive out into the hills or the desert and shoot a bunch of different WWII weapons - and yeah - the ammo was $0.05 a round.
      They had millions of rounds from WWI - not to mention hundreds of millions of rounds from WWII. The ammo was cheap and the guns were cheap.
      Not Today.
      Of course - you can't go shooting in the places we went then - there are to many people around. There are States you can still walk out onto your back porch and shoot but there are States where you used to be able to do that - but can't any more.
      We all went in the military - but - when we got out - we took a trip out to the desert where we used to go. It was horrible. All the dirt was powdered inches deep from all the dune buggies and dirt bikes. And you're breathing that dust.
      I remember about 0400 - I got up - and I could just see the top of the dust cloud from the previous day settling.
      Never again.
      .

  • @boldgambit7896
    @boldgambit7896 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +33

    Whatever happens, we have got,
    The Maxim gun and they have not

    • @cedhome7945
      @cedhome7945 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Battle of Omdurman comes to mind 🤔

    • @PobortzaPl
      @PobortzaPl 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      And then WW1 happened, where everybody had a Maxim or equivalent of it.

    • @lizardb8694
      @lizardb8694 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      "The wild Ingubu with the fierce Imbezu on the right
      Came charging from the northern bush, they were a fearful sight
      And near 6000 warriors - we stopped them on the run
      The bravest of the brave could never match the Maxim gun."

  • @user-sn5nh7md5o
    @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    As to ammo: Dolf goldsmith once told me they used to buy CONEX boxes full of ammo. Three rounds for a PENNY! "If you can find an ammo deal better than that...SHOOT IT!" (Yes, I just paraphrased Cheech Marin's speech from, "From Dusk till Dawn").😁

  • @scottrobinson3281
    @scottrobinson3281 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    South Africa converted a number of its .303 British Vickers to 7,62x51 starting about 1973. A disintegrating belt called the R1M1 Vickers was designed and was also used in converted FN MAG 58's (reclassified as MAG79) and the new SS77.They were in use until the end of the Border War in the late 1980's.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I'd still like more info on them. Used for base security while the MAG 58 went into the bush.

  • @kenibnanak5554
    @kenibnanak5554 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    One of my biggest regrets is my failure to purchase a .30-06 Vickers when Sarco had some (with accessories, tripods, belt loaders, etc.) for sale back in the early 80s.

  • @Eleolius
    @Eleolius 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I'm fond of Maxim magazines. Oft overlooked accessories for the fighting men!

    • @tomwinterfishing9065
      @tomwinterfishing9065 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I’d say quite a few examples have been present in war zones during the 90s/early 2000s!

  • @AlexHalt100
    @AlexHalt100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    i`d pick any air craft mounted maxim. Fokkers interrupter gear enabled the machine gun to be used to its potential and
    it completely opened up the air to be a battlefield for both sides and not just one taking a look or dropping something from up there.
    the significance of air power in historical or recent conflicts cant be overstated.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There's one at the upcoming Morph's auction. Go for it!

    • @AlexHalt100
      @AlexHalt100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@user-sn5nh7md5o i live in germany so winning billions with a gas station lottery ticket is more likely than me ever being permitted to own automatic weapons.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@AlexHalt100 You can always move to the U.S.!

    • @curiousentertainment3008
      @curiousentertainment3008 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-sn5nh7md5oor Switzerland

    • @AlexHalt100
      @AlexHalt100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-sn5nh7md5o benefits of that do not outweigh the downsides

  • @kingcosworth2643
    @kingcosworth2643 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I have never seen a video on the M1917 Eddystone 30-06. I have a very custom sporterised one, but in the 50's many got used to make .375 H&H's and other massive calibres as the M1917 utilised an oversized, high nickel long throw action. They where a military rifle made in a number of factories, but there seems to be little in the way of videos on them.

  • @GazalAlShaqab
    @GazalAlShaqab 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    THANKS, it was SO interesting!
    Among the Maxims showed by Ian over the years, the COOLEST FOR ME was by far the 1909 from ARGENTINA, n°64 (of 120), with A LOT of BRASS, 1889 pattern of lock, and its WOODEN roller for the belt!
    I would never be able to own one, but if I could chose, it would be THAT one, maybe because it is so… exotic.
    And maybe with a smaller death toll than the German or Russian Maxims that were "put to work" so much…

  • @DanielePistoia
    @DanielePistoia 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Ian, John thank you for providing us with such fascinating insight to one of the most famous guns in history and for giving us your answer to one of the most widespread questions among gun enthusiasts and i agree that the best Maxim machine gun is the Vickers for all the reasons you specified.

  • @vincentchoiniere9261
    @vincentchoiniere9261 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Ian is slowly turning from being a Francophile into a Finland enthusiast...(sorry I dont know the equivalent of francophile for Finland lol)

    • @OltsuSuomesta
      @OltsuSuomesta 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fennophile would be the word.

    • @johnfisk811
      @johnfisk811 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Suomophile?

    • @karloveliki5387
      @karloveliki5387 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Maybe a Finophile.

    • @sagqe
      @sagqe 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Finnophile?

  • @alt5494
    @alt5494 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    For me the QF one pounder Maxim would be the dream.

  • @johnsanko4136
    @johnsanko4136 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    The best Maxim Gun is the one on your side.

  • @d0nfelice716
    @d0nfelice716 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    When i read the title i whispered to myself "The swiss Mg11 must be mentioned" and i was not disappointed. Nice informative video !!

  • @johnanon6938
    @johnanon6938 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    I'm glad that John Keene doesn't disagree with himself that often. I was rolling with laughter, thanks Ian for keeping that in. :D

  • @davidcarr7436
    @davidcarr7436 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Reading the video's title, my answer was, "But of course, it's the Vickers!"
    Rule Britannia!

    • @robusthedgehog
      @robusthedgehog 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Weird, my answer was "well of course, it's the MG08"
      Heil dir im Siegerkranz 😅

  • @hobbitomm
    @hobbitomm 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Easiest: Vickers
    Most historical: Vickers (2 world wars and through into the 60s, unlike the MG08). You could certainly argue for the 1910, for sheer longevity, as you say, but... accessibility!

    • @dodsonarmsco
      @dodsonarmsco 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      08 maxim and Chinese 8mm maxims were used all the way through the Vietnam war.

  • @chigeryelam4061
    @chigeryelam4061 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    As a non American my understanding of the question was a purely historical one, clearly the American understanding of the question is 'which one should I buy'. Funny.

    • @moosemaimer
      @moosemaimer 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Asking "which machinegun should I buy" is the _slightly_ cheaper version of "which Ferrari should I buy." There are plenty of MGs for sale, just like there are plenty of Ferraris for sale, but it's not like the average person is in that echelon of buyer.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@moosemaimer I'm a regular joe with MG #10 coming. What do you do for a living? How much can you save? Do you waste money on non-sense B.S., (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, tattoos)? You can do it if you really want it. They're fun and everyone has gone up in value. Remember this. "If you don't buy it today, you will buy it tomorrow, but for more money!"

    • @curiousentertainment3008
      @curiousentertainment3008 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-sn5nh7md5odon’t take this the wrong way but based on how you typed that are you part of the baby boomer generation?
      On a more serious note you either have to have a job that pays 6 figures a year, have a paid off house and a decent paying job, inheritance, lottery, theft, or becoming a special occupational taxpayer which is still expensive but can be cheaper than just buying a machine gun.

  • @bencejuhasz6459
    @bencejuhasz6459 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Greetings from Hungary!
    I think Mr Keene should write a comprehensive book about the Maxim guns.

  • @hullutsuhna
    @hullutsuhna 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +24

    I am saddened that whenever Maxims are talked about people talk about the Vickers, maybe German and/or Soviet versions and/or some obscure Elbonian variant, & that no-one ever mentions the Finnish M/32-33: take Russian M/1910 Maxims, put optics mounts on them, mate them with dual-purpose tripods developed from the German tripod, boost the rate of fire to 850 rpm & add a snow cap to the water jacket, that last one is especially painful as 11 times out of ten it is associated with the Soviets during WWII.
    AND whenever a Finnish Maxim is spotted in a video or a photo, it's identified as either a Soviet or a German gun because XYZ.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Roger my bud, I feel the same way. One of those is my dream Maxim. If you find one, send it over here. I'll keep you in Vodka for a long time! 😂🤣

    • @herptek
      @herptek 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Everyone has a favourite maxim and keeps arguing whose is best. Why can't people just get along?

    • @hullutsuhna
      @hullutsuhna 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@herptek where exactly did I say the word "favorite"?

    • @herptek
      @herptek 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@hullutsuhna I guess I have a clumsy sense of humor.

  • @HamSandwich277
    @HamSandwich277 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +51

    Should have had Larry Vickers on the for this one.
    Get it? Vickers?
    I'll show myself out.

    • @zehnerdygamer3329
      @zehnerdygamer3329 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      He's not going to be doing anything firearms related for a good while...

    • @chicorodriguez3964
      @chicorodriguez3964 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Yea he's now property of the department of corrections

    • @ganndeber1621
      @ganndeber1621 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Here's your coat

    • @davidspence5567
      @davidspence5567 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      What happened to him?Apologies I'm not in the Loop with what has happened.

    • @HamSandwich277
      @HamSandwich277 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@davidspence5567 I had no idea either. I just googled it. "pleaded guilty in October to two federal crimes including a conspiracy to import illegal machine guns." 😦

  • @mikerogers582
    @mikerogers582 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Some Vickers guns were made in 30/06 for the US in WW1.
    I had a Colt made belt loader. 😊

  • @jimmitchell6000
    @jimmitchell6000 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    "commodity"? A commodity is a good that all the units are interchangeable. One box of XXX is the same as another box of XXX. A bushel of wheat is the same no matter what farm it came from. This doesn't seem to have anything to do with the ammunition availability issue described in the video.

  • @TOKOLOSHE100
    @TOKOLOSHE100 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    37mm Maxim FTW with lots of brass!

  • @nathanielbacon584
    @nathanielbacon584 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Always good when Mr. Keene is on.

  • @ichimonjiguy
    @ichimonjiguy 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Do you know your North American 1911 video has been turned off comments?

  • @kodiakkeith
    @kodiakkeith 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The best Maxim is the one you're carrying when the mugger shows up!

  • @BobSmith-dk8nw
    @BobSmith-dk8nw 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks guys. That was fascinating.
    .

  • @johnnydjiurkopff
    @johnnydjiurkopff 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Why did the new video have comments turned off?

  • @flaminshotgun
    @flaminshotgun 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It's our boy John! Always great to see your face and gain your insight sir!

  • @LuminaryCursorem
    @LuminaryCursorem 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +48

    It's insane to think about how this design has taken as as many lives as it has.

    • @derkaiser9881
      @derkaiser9881 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      The schematics and drafts haven’t fired a single round.

    • @P_RO_
      @P_RO_ 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Or conversely saved as many lives from being lost when used defensively. How you see things can change what you see.

    • @madeconomist458
      @madeconomist458 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Truly the Devil's Paintbrush.

    • @itsconnorstime
      @itsconnorstime 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I read somewhere years ago that no individual small arm has killed more people than the maxim gun.

    • @madeconomist458
      @madeconomist458 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@itsconnorstime Crew served weapons like mortars, artillery, and heavy machine guns have always been the real casualty producers. I wouldn't be surprised if the FN MAG and its derivatives have killed half as many as the Maxim.

  • @larsbkurin1740
    @larsbkurin1740 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What a nice video, it becomes relaxed and interesting when knowledgeable people don't have to prove anything to each other or the audience. The best Maxim has to be the one that has tons of ammo and I have access to.

  • @bitfreakazoid
    @bitfreakazoid 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    20 year anniversary? Aw man. I've been there 5 times so far, along with Knob Creek 4 times before they stopped. This next October shoot will be just on the edge on whether or not I can make it out there. Shoot!

  • @oscarwilfredodiazcruz
    @oscarwilfredodiazcruz 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    In the official central american history about wars between states and goverments is used to say that the first time machine guns were used happened to be in Namasigüe, Honduras, in 1905, when nicaraguan troops used four Maxim to swipe all the honduran combatants...
    What kind of Maxim probably was used in that time?

  • @scottrobinson3281
    @scottrobinson3281 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    The Maxim was revered by the Russians. There is a jaunty Red Army song titled "Dva Maksima" (Two Maxims).

    • @admiral_franz_von_hipper5436
      @admiral_franz_von_hipper5436 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      They also have a song called “Tachanka” which is about a horse-drawn Maxim machine gun cart.

    • @AshleyPomeroy
      @AshleyPomeroy 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I learn from the internet that it's about a Maxim gunner called Maxim! Who gets wounded. But he recovers, and so does the Maxim.

  • @rogerjohnson8707
    @rogerjohnson8707 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    If I remember correctly Ian said his first machine gun was a Vickers.

    • @contactacb
      @contactacb 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      He did own one, you see it on early channel vids - but if I recall he sold it on years ago.

  • @jfess1911
    @jfess1911 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I went back to watch Ian's 2016 video on the Vickers Heavy Machine Gun. I had forgotten how annoying it was to continually adjust the volume up and down because the gunfire was so much louder than the speaking.

  • @chattyknight9559
    @chattyknight9559 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +27

    America, during the Spanish American War, what Maxim
    Brought to you by Chad Gatling Gang

    • @classifiedad1
      @classifiedad1 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Potato Digger gang rise up!

  • @somethingsomethingusername-z1l
    @somethingsomethingusername-z1l 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I bought a Turkish Mauser 22 years ago. The rifle was $40, i bought a 1440rd crate of 8mm Mauser on stripper clips and in 70rd bandoliers for $70 (i think). I still have some ammo left along with the rifle.

  • @Matt_The_Hugenot
    @Matt_The_Hugenot 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Vickers or the 1910/30 were what I was going to choose based on success and longevity were what I was going to say. That wheeled mount is so etching special.

  • @SgtMjr
    @SgtMjr 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    British colonial theory: Whatever happens we have got, the Maxim Gun, and they have not.

    • @GazalAlShaqab
      @GazalAlShaqab 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      "…And near 6000 warriors - we stopped them on the run
      The bravest of the brave could never match the Maxim gun…" 😄

    • @cedhome7945
      @cedhome7945 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Battle of Omdurman comes to mind 🤔

  • @Jagdtyger2A
    @Jagdtyger2A 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like the Vickers primarily because it was in that movie "Last Stand"

  • @Rick-bc8lt
    @Rick-bc8lt 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    We need more videos like this

  • @even_henry
    @even_henry 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’ve always wanted to see a modern biathlon rifle. Starting with the Norwegian Army in the 18th century to a modern olympic rifle sport originating and surviving in the concept of a foot soldier in snow is so wild to me

  • @KenworthW900HG
    @KenworthW900HG 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm always amazed at how knowledgeable Stanley Tucci is on machine guns...

  • @robertsolomielke5134
    @robertsolomielke5134 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    TY guys. Now wasn.t there a German Maxim heavily modified for aerial use..AND it was the lightest, smallest Maxim design ever made....why no mention of that gun ? or was this a plug for Vickers, which is a fine gun too.

  • @resolute123
    @resolute123 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    "What is the Best Maxim Gun?" Answer: Trick question. Browning M1917.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      John Browning, "Maxim patented everything, so I'll do it with less parts." British and French machine gunners when they first see the Browning, "How can this thing work, it doesn't have enough parts!"

  • @Outlaw_Deadman1996
    @Outlaw_Deadman1996 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Personally, I would go with the MG08/18 air cooled Maxim. Lighter and more soldier friendly

    • @robertsolomielke5134
      @robertsolomielke5134 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah. The German Maxim used as air cooled, for aerial combat is the actual lightest Maxim ever built. Also the smallest/shortest Maxim ever built.

  • @messmeister92
    @messmeister92 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    7:12 But couldn’t it be argued that the 1904 Maxim is historically significant for what it didn’t accomplish? The production issues meant the US ultimately didn’t buy that many, which paved the way for John Browning’s M1917 and M1919 later on. And the rest, as they say, is history.

  • @DJWolfHouse
    @DJWolfHouse 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is a question another one of your videos brought to mind but why aren’t all modern rifles bullpup?
    I understand cartridges to the face, trigger issues, re-training, maybe a bit awkward in certain positions, but these all seem minor compared to the benefits. I also feel like many of these issues have been solved in certain bullpup designs.
    I’m no expert so just throwing out a video idea!

  • @Uncle_Roadkill
    @Uncle_Roadkill 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Which Maxim is best Maxim?
    My Maxim is best because it won the Great War!
    No, my Maxim is best because water-cooling delete!
    No, my Maxim is best because kinda sorta portable by one man and also it lost the Great War!
    My Maxim is best tripod!
    No, my tripod is best Maxim!
    The box said 300 round belt.
    My Maxim is best because new booster looking like booster delete.
    My Maxim is best because can be repaired in the field.
    Which Maxim is best Maxim?

    • @Reskilober
      @Reskilober 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      My Maxim is best Maxim because RRRAAARRRREEEEEEE

    • @diegoferreiro9478
      @diegoferreiro9478 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I think the best Maxim is the Maxim one could get his hands on.

    • @Uncle_Roadkill
      @Uncle_Roadkill 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      My Maxim is best because BO KNOWS MOTORBOATIN'!

    • @somuchnope2
      @somuchnope2 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I'm glad someone else though of this immediately. Great work hahaha

    • @somuchnope2
      @somuchnope2 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      My Maxim is best Maxim because Vickers
      The box said 10 more rounds per minute
      My Maxim is best Maxim because I brought it on a trailer
      *brass Maxim* BROWWWWWNNN

  • @greenbroccolistudios1275
    @greenbroccolistudios1275 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hiram Maxim Stevens Invented that Gun since 1884 :)

  • @pballpwnage69
    @pballpwnage69 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Best maxim has gotta be The pom pom. 37mm explosive warhead beltfed.

  • @tomjones7593
    @tomjones7593 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My dear old Dad, whose regiment lost their horses in Syria/Transjordan area in around 1943,was trained briefly on the Vickers .303. He said it was fine, but too accurate-it would carry on punching the same hole in anything but traversing it was a swine- he thought it would have been much better if it just sprayed a bit more !

    • @johnfisk811
      @johnfisk811 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You want to get a copy of ‘Fighting Vichy on Horseback’ for the full story of British cavalry in Syria, Iraq and Iran in 1941-3.

    • @tomjones7593
      @tomjones7593 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@johnfisk811 Thanks very much for that- I will look for a copy. Much appreciated.

  • @SteveAkaDarktimes
    @SteveAkaDarktimes 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    MG with more historical impact: maxim or Browning?

  • @TheArklyte
    @TheArklyte 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Given the Maxim use in WWII, I guess it would be interesting if some nation in preparation to WWII had decided to once again try a hand in "LMG"(or rather MMG) version of it. Take new production Vickers, cut it to 08/15 likeness, add finnish/soviet ribbed shrouds with big "snow" latch. It's still a gun that you would rather use from a tripod, however one that can be pushed into bipod use if needed.

  • @Goatcha_M
    @Goatcha_M 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was hoping for the best Maxim for military service, although Ian did already proclaim the Swiss version to be that.

  • @randyscj429
    @randyscj429 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks, as always "very interesting"!😊

  • @sheldoniusRex
    @sheldoniusRex 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The Vickers. The end.

  • @garywillis9528
    @garywillis9528 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Have you ever done a Pachmyr Dominator conversion? I have one.

  • @echosr2139
    @echosr2139 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I’m going to go with the Finnish Maxim. It’s criminally underrated.

    • @454FatJack
      @454FatJack 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fast Fire rate option too

  • @brandonobaza8610
    @brandonobaza8610 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    For those so financially inclined, there's a Vickers Mk1 for sale at autoweapons.

  • @P_RO_
    @P_RO_ 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That it is still in military use today (albeit limited use) is mind-boggling and proves it's merits. Few arms see use even half that long.

  • @deathskrieg5525
    @deathskrieg5525 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I would say the best maxim is the one I can afford....unfortunately those don't exist

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If you try, you can. How much do you want it/what are you willing to give up?

  •  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Maxim is certainly an intersting and long lasting design

  • @WillPanic
    @WillPanic 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    RE: Soviet Union contribution's to WWII at 10:09 - I don't think most people disagree that the Soviets helped win the war, it's rather we don't consider the teammate with the worst K/D to be the MVP. The Soviets egregious loss of troops was more due to poor leadership than the "might" of the German war machine. If it wasn't for the Russian winter and the western allies propping them up with a massive stream of vehicles and supplies through Iran, the Russians would've collapsed regardless of how many people they carelessly threw at the conflict.

  • @mikerichards7664
    @mikerichards7664 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was really hoping this was going to be a Project Farm colab video... 😂

  • @jkotekvolnycz
    @jkotekvolnycz 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    10:16 just one correction. It wos not the Russians that took the heat in the WW2. It was the Soviets. But if you talk about the nationalities within the USSR then it was the Belorussians and Ukranians who make the most of the WW2 casulties. Booth in absolute and relative numbers. For example the Belorussian casulty rate is 25% of the _whole_ population.

  • @johng.1703
    @johng.1703 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    the best version is the Vickers Heavy Machine Gun, 5 million rounds near continuous, no stoppages, only stopping to reload and change barrels. and after that torture test, it was still within spec.

  • @essexcrew08
    @essexcrew08 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow…..Respectfully, although subjective I did not see a Costa Rican Maxim (Although I too Love it there) Parts? Historic? Hmm….a Swiss Maxim… May be well built but Historic? They only fought each other over gold teeth! The Vickers is lighter but BEST? I am with you Ian! My ONLY choice is either a Finnish m/09-32 (after the first 200 converted guns) OR a Finnish m/32-33. These very historic Maxims we’re 100% Finnish made and we’re the greatly improved true WW2 era Maxim MGs. Not you great grandfathers Maxim. The real final iteration that was fielded and proven in battle with the RUSSIANS. The creation of Aimo Lahti (The J.M. Browning of Finland !) Variable rate of fire with a true accelerator for 600 or 900 RPM for AA use. Metal links NOT cloth which can freeze and fail. The ammo link sets are readily available NOS in the US. Total reliability in 7.62x54R and convertible for caliber if you choose but why? Measurable adjustable Fusee tension and headspace adjustable. AA capability with the “extra leg”. Redesigned with handles farther back so you won’t break your knuckles no matter how you hold the grips… Tractor cap for ease of water OR SNOW filling (Invented by the Finns and copied by the Russians) Interchangeability with Russian 1910 parts…Optics capable with a built in optic mount for use with ZF12s Built by Germany in the late 30s specifically for the Finns’ 7.62 Maxim… Also with Finnish indirect domestic VTT optic to “Rain Lead” from a distance… A quality VERY ADJUSTABLE tripod with vertical and horizontal stops to avoid shooting friendly fire…. These are the ONLY one for me if I can only have one. They do exactly what they were intended and my m/32-33 is the historic thoroughbred of my dreams for all of these reasons…. She is one of the reasons that Russia did not take away Finland’s independence 1939-1945….I hope Ukraine can do the same…..

  • @davefellhoelter1343
    @davefellhoelter1343 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hmm? Gun Dude's knows another "GUN DUDE!" Perfect, Good Job. VERY HONEST! God Bless!

  • @alexandersimpson3638
    @alexandersimpson3638 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Being British and the fact my grandad worked for Vickers, so yeah I agree.

  • @itsconnorstime
    @itsconnorstime 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’d like a Quad PM1910 aa mount.

  • @chriscasperson5927
    @chriscasperson5927 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I miss the annual Hiram Maxim Shoot in Maine.
    A quick way to burn your money.

  • @francis9469
    @francis9469 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    its weird, in the UK (Deacs), the Soviet 1910 is so much more common than the MG08. very strange inverse.

  • @kiwigrunt330
    @kiwigrunt330 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    "Whatever happens, we have got, the Maxim, and they have not"

  • @joeygarcia7468
    @joeygarcia7468 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It’s definitely the one that you could wish all others act according to.

  • @saltybones8492
    @saltybones8492 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Having serviced, shot and repaired all of these I agree Vickers is #1. The Early 1909s are usually nice because on the market they usually well preserved and complete. Type 24 are okay except Chineseium and parts tolerance and no two thread pitches are the same. 1910 is usually alright but usually made of mixed bag war, post war and commercial parts. German maxims I hate. 08/15s in particular. Nothing is adjustable and intact feed arms are becoming a rarity. give me a 1917 any day over a Maxim.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You can adjust the fusse on the MG 08/15. Don't know what you're talking about there? Mine runs like a top.

    • @saltybones8492
      @saltybones8492 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-sn5nh7md5o headspace and timing. Changing out internals of locks. Firing pins tend to break and they're basically hand fit.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@saltybones8492 I have several locks/feed blocks for mine and have used all interchangeably. Yes, the German locks have a fixed head spacing, but their tolerances are tight. No, they were not even close to being hand fit. Maybe you worked on one that was in bad shape, but I've run quite a few, (I shoot with Charly Erb a couple times a year), and the most I've done is adjust the fusse spring. Maybe I've just been real lucky.

  • @adityasanyal1678
    @adityasanyal1678 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Most soft-spoken master sergeant EVER!!!!

  • @stevelewis7263
    @stevelewis7263 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Vickers with its sexy iconic fluted water jacket

  • @MaximMachineGun
    @MaximMachineGun 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What, now I need to get some gray hair! That's fine with me. All your Maxims belong to me!

  • @markphillips7538
    @markphillips7538 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Which ones are the Ukrainians using currently in the war with Russia? I have seen several videos of Maxim guns being used in the war.

  • @joecuppko40uh29
    @joecuppko40uh29 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Brass Argentinian Maxim, it may not have the historical context as some of the others but doggone is it beautiful, now if only I can convince the wife to let me do a reverse mortgage on the house hahahahahahaha!

  • @GianmarioScotti
    @GianmarioScotti 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    The Russian took some casualties in WWII, but most casualties were Ukrainians.

  • @hendriktonisson2915
    @hendriktonisson2915 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Why air-cooled heavy barrel versions of the Maxim gun were not successful unlike the Browning M1919 air-cooled gun that was developed from the water-cooled M1917?

    • @kot0472
      @kot0472 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      An air-cooled Maxim wasn't popular because Germans after WWI were heavy sanctioned for weapon development and then, they just started to developing air-cooled machine guns from scratch like MG13, MG34 cause Maxim's receiver was too heavy and unergonomic.
      US just stayed with modyfiyng the Browning because they were too sturdy and haven't adopted something like a GPMG until Vietnam war.
      Don't know how about other countries using Maxim guns, but most of them probably weren't tough enough to design any modifications like that. And air-cooling for a heavy machine gun wasn't that much necessary at the time. Sticking with water jackets was rather decent thing until WW2.

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      There was the 08/18. Different reasons, but fun fact. Durning the 1940 Blitz across France, half the MGs the Germans use were still MG 08/15s! If you look at the MG 34 production numbers, they didn't have nearly enough. But the MG 34s are all you see in the propaganda films.

    • @somuchnope2
      @somuchnope2 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      With water cooling most designs don't account for quick barrel changing because you would just change out the water instead. Even with a heavy aircooled barrel you better have quick detach barrels if you don't want your sustained fire to be much weaker than it would be with water. Some watercool guns were definitely converted to aircool for aircraft use, but I don't know the Maxim well enough to recall if it was ever done for it. Probably some of those also got modified to have quicker barrel detachment, though it's not as important in the air. All that to say, I would guess one reason is the design not being readily adapted to quick detach barrels. I think this may have come up in an older video from Ian (probably a Q&A) and he said it was because they were so heavy that the weight savings would not be worth it. Anyone please correct me if I am misremembering anything because I didn't study for this comment

    • @user-sn5nh7md5o
      @user-sn5nh7md5o 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@somuchnope2 They did make an air cooled aircraft version of the MG 08/15. You can change the barrels on Maxims/Vickers fairly fast, but in theory this was at 20,000 rds. Not to overheating, but because the barrel would be worn out.

    • @kot0472
      @kot0472 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-sn5nh7md5o There was lMG 08/15 for aircraft.
      And then they made MG 08/18 which was an air-cooled ground version. With barrel jacket like MG 34.
      The same was with Parabellum machine guns.

  • @KarlKarpfen
    @KarlKarpfen 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Maxim gun with the most historic significance must be the MG 08/15.
    Why: It was so widely used that "08/15" is still a widely used term for bog standard in German.
    So if something is absolutely nothing special and everybody has it, a German will typically tell you, that it is 08/15.

  • @vk3uaj
    @vk3uaj 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Any British South Africa company maxims used to fight in Rhodesia left??

  • @aussiviking604
    @aussiviking604 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Australian late model Vickers.