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Maxim gun
Photo: Jonathan Cardy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Maximgun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · United Kingdom · 1889
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Maximgun

Maxim gun
Maxim gun Photo: Jonathan Cardy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
95
Effective Range
70
Penetration
60
Reliability
98
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
60
Controllability
50
Portability
30
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United Kingdom
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraPre-WWI / Industrial Age
In service1889
Operators28 countries
Data Quality88%
76
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
2/15
Pre-WWI / Industrial Age
26/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
95
Effective Range
70
Penetration
60
Reliability
98
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
60
Controllability
50
Portability
30
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Maxim gun
Production
1889–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · PRE-WWI / INDUSTRIAL AGE
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
98
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
76
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • First Production Year1884
  • Service Entry Year1888
  • DesignerSir Hiram Stevens Maxim
  • Weight (Empty)27.2 kg
◈Cartridge & Calibre4MOD.4
  • Cartridge.303 British
  • Calibre7.7 mm
  • Case Length56 mm
  • Bullet Weight9.9 g
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics1MOD.1
  • Muzzle Velocity744 m/s
◆Barrel & Sights3MOD.3
▤Features1MOD.1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1881First deployment: Mahdist War
  2. 1889Production started
  3. 1892Entered service
  4. 1895Sale: Japan
  5. 1896Sale: New Zealand (6 units)
  6. 1901Sale: New Zealand (29 units)
137
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 28 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Maxim gunSALES3records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
1901New Zealand29——
1896New Zealand6——
1895Japan———
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Pre-WWI / Industrial Age
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Firearm action type where the energy from firing a cartridge cycles the action via rearward movement of the barrel or slide.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →