Machine Gun Manual

Excerpt: 'The Maxim Gun. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Weight of the *303-in. gun, 60 lbs. Weight of the tripod, 48 lbs. Weight of ammunition box containing one filled belt, Mark VI 21 lbs., Mark VII 191/2 lbs. The gun may be considered as divided into two portions-the non-recoiling and the recoiling. It is worked automatically by two forces-the explosion of the charge which forces the recoiling portion backwards, and a strong spring (called the fusee spring) which carries it forward.'