Maxim Pattern 1896 M3A .303 inch extra light machine gun, 1899 (c)

Manufactured by Maxim Nordenfelt, London.

The Maxim recoil-operated machine gun was invented by Hiram Maxim and patented in 1884. It replaced machine guns such as the Gatling, Gardner and Nordenfelt which were used by British forces. The gun was belt-fed from 250 round ammunition belts and it fired .45 inch rounds which were later replaced by .303 inch rounds. Initially the machine gun was mounted on a carriage with the first tripod mount introduced in 1897. The Maxim saw action with British forces on the North West Frontier of India, Matabeleland and the Sudan and it became an icon of colonial power. The Maxim Gun Company was eventually absorbed into the Vickers company in 1897.

This Maxim was used by the Royal East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry during the Boer War (1899-1902). It was one of twelve guns sold to the Transvaal in 1896, and subsequently captured by British troops and returned to England in 1903.

From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.