Maxim-Silverman self-loading pistol (UK)

21
At the end of the 19th century, the gunsmith designer Hiram Stevens Maxim proposed several projects of promising weaponsable to self-recharge after each shot. Original H.S. Machine Gun Maxim was widely known and produced in large quantities, while other samples, in general, did not receive well-deserved fame. So, only a narrow circle of specialists and lovers of small arms is known for Maxim-Silverman self-loading pistol.

Successful small arms projects were implemented by H.S. Maxim with the direct assistance of several colleagues. One of the first employees of his arms firm was Louis Silverman. In the future, this specialist most actively helped the work manager and made a significant contribution to the improvement of finished structures and the creation of new projects. In the mid-nineties of the 19th century, X. Maxim and L. Silvermen proposed several original designs of self-loading weapons, now known under the common name by the names of designers.




Late version Maxim-Silverman pistol with shutter braking means. Photo by Jamesdjulia.com


At the end of 1896, the designers applied for a British patent. In the autumn of the next 1897, the patent office confirmed their priority and issued the document number 29836. The patent provided a description of two versions of the design of self-loading pistols. This weapon used unitary pistol cartridges and was equipped with its own store. In addition, both projects included the use of automation, providing self-recharge after each shot.

In the same period, the workshop of H.S. Maxima made several prototypes of one of two pistols. This weapon was intended for testing at a shooting range and testing proposed ideas. Upon receipt of positive results, the project could be developed and even reach mass production.

The project proposed the manufacture of a self-loading pistol with automation based on a free gate. The weapon was supposed to use an 7,65x25 mm Borchardt cartridge. Some sources indicate the use of other cartridges of similar caliber, but the remaining copies of the Maxim-Silverman pistol have barrels of 7,65 mm caliber. According to the authors, the new pistol should have been distinguished by its great simplicity of design and original appearance. Recognition of the exterior gave a thin profile of the trunk and frame, from which the inclined handle departed at a large angle.


The work of automation: at the top - the bolt in the rearmost position, at the bottom - the weapon in the cocked state. Patent drawing


The pistol had to be distinguished by simplicity, which could be traced both in the general layout and in the design of the automatics. About half the length of the pistol held a rifled barrel. The barrel connected to the frame, made in the form of a tube with a handle welded to it. On the upper surface of the tubular structural member there was a sliding longitudinal cover. In the back of the cork frame there was a slot for withdrawal of thrust with the shutter control handle.

An aggregate was attached to the tubular element of the frame, combining the handle and the trigger guard. This device was made of metal. Inside it were some necessary structural elements. So, inside the handle there was a cavity for installing a magazine, and in front of it, under the bracket, there was a trigger.

The Maxim-Silverman pistol received a relatively long rifled barrel with a caliber 7,65 mm. One of the surviving specimens was equipped with a round barrel. The other, in turn, is distinguished by the octagonal shape of the outer surface of the trunk. In this case, both barrels were equipped with an influx of fly near the barrel. At the breech provided for thickening to install the barrel in the frame. Inside this bulge was a chamber. The rear section of the trunk was at a certain depth in the tubular frame.

Inside the tubular casing of the frame were placed the basic elements of automation, namely, the bolt with a drummer and a reciprocating combat spring. In front of the frame, near the rear section of the chamber, a part of the details of a simple trigger was placed. It was the simplification of the USM that made it possible to reduce the size of the frame and minimize the cross section of the tubular casing. At the top of the tube there was a hole for ejection of spent cartridges. In the forward position of the shutter, this opening was closed by a special movable lid, which was an element of automation.


Different stages of the recharge cycle. Patent drawing


The pistol bolt was a hollow tubular part with a thickened front wall, in the center of which there was a hole for the output of the drummer. At the top and bottom of this thickening were provided grooves for additional devices. So, on top of the shutter joined the outer cover, located outside the casing. Below it was placed a small lever, which was responsible for keeping the drummer in front of the shot.

In the cavity of the gate was placed drummer of complex shape, equipped with a long shank. The front part of the drummer had a needle head mounted on a transverse disk. Behind the disc was a long shank of rectangular cross section. The latter passed through the entire length of the frame and went beyond its limits through the hole in the back cover. There it was placed round the handle, with which it was proposed to carry out the cocking of weapons. There was a groove in front of the handle to secure the back of the outer cover. The entire space between the drummer's disk and the back cover of the frame was occupied by the reciprocating spring.

H.S. Maxim and L. Silvermen proposed an original trigger type of a shock type, the details of which were located on the frame and on the gate. Directly under the chamber, inside the guard, a spring-loaded trigger was placed. Inside it there was a groove in which a simple form pusher was placed. The latter through the hole in the tubular casing could interact with the details of the bolt.

Maxim-Silverman self-loading pistol (UK)
Incomplete disassembly of the gun. Photo Alloutdoor.com


The front part of the bolt had a groove in which the swing arm was placed with a long rear shoulder. When the USM is cocked, this lever arm propped up the drummer and did not allow him to move forward, initiating a shot. The trigger pusher pressed on the second shoulder and thereby released the drummer. The gun had no means of blocking the trigger. When using prototypes, testers should be especially careful.

The Maxim-Silverman pistol was supposed to use detachable box magazines on 8 cartridges. The store had a specific shape that repeated the main contours of the handle. With the help of a spring-loaded feeder mounted on the bottom, the cartridges were lifted one by one inside the tubular assembly, where they had to be picked up by the bolt. In its place, the store was held by the latch of a simple design.

Experienced pistols of the new type were equipped with the simplest sights. On the trunk, near its muzzle, there was an influx that served as a fly. On the rear section of the upper movable cover there was a low rear sight. Naturally, such a sight could not be adjusted in range or under a side wind.

The large slope of the handle relative to the trunk line determined the specific ergonomics of the weapon. At the same time, a certain convenience of operation was provided due to the correct shape of the side walls of the handle. The front and rear edges of the handle were straight and served as guides for the store. Between them there was a plane curved outward. Interestingly, the right “lining” of the handle had perforations in the form of several longitudinal holes.


Receiver, drummer shank, cocking handle and top cover. Photo by Jamesdjulia.com


In 1896-97, the company Hiram Maxima manufactured the first prototype of a promising weapon, with the help of which it was planned to test the main design ideas and determine the efficiency of the design. Subsequently, several more prototypes appeared. According to various sources, at least three experienced pistols could have been fired. This is the number of prototypes now kept in museums and private collections. Reliable information about the assembly of other prototypes are missing.

The second and subsequent Maxim-Silverman pistols had noticeable differences from the first prototype. This directly indicates that the basic design is far from fully complying with the requirements and could not fully solve the tasks.

According to available data, during the tests of the first prototype, it was found that the 7,65x25 mm “Borchardt” cartridge has excess power and does not correspond to the design features of the gun. As a consequence, the free gate circuit could not show the desired characteristics. The solution to this problem should have been the means of braking the shutter when it is shifted back after the shot. To turn the free gate into a semi-free one, on the left side of the tubular frame, a square window was made and a pair of holes were drilled. A small flat spring was attached to the rear holes with a pair of screws. Its front end was bent by a ring, and the latter entered the weapon through a side window.


The muzzle of the trunk with the front sight. Photo by Jamesdjulia.com


The principle of operation of the modified semi-free pistol gun looked as follows. By placing the magazine in the handle, the shooter had to cock the weapon. This was carried out using the rear handle, placed on the shank of the drummer. When it was moved backwards, the shank interacted with the outer lid and forced the shutter to move backward. At the same time, the drummer also shifted. With the rearmost position of the shutter, the pusher of the magazine could lead the cartridge to the disilline line. Continuing to pull the shank, the shooter additionally squeezed the return-spring and displaced the drummer back, as a result of which the trigger lever blocked it in this position. With the release of the rear handle, the bolt went forward with the help of a spring, sending the cartridge and clinging to the breech barrel.

Pressing the trigger shifted its pusher, which, in turn, worked on the shutter lever. He released the drummer, after which a shot occurred. Under the effect of recoil, the shutter began to move back and removed the sleeve. Moving back, the bolt with its tail end rested against the front ring of the outer spring. The interaction with the side spring and the diversion of its ring to the side took away from the shutter a part of the received pulse. Passing by the ring, the bolt allowed a new cartridge to rise, and also provided a cocking drummer. Further, the return spring moved all the parts to their original position, and a new shot could be made.

According to reports, the company H. Maxim produced only a few experienced pistols of the original design - at least three units. The first of them was based on the basic project and used the principles of a free gate. Other pistols, according to the test results of the first, were equipped with semi-free-shutter automatics, although they had a similar design. All samples appear to have passed the necessary tests and showed the real possibilities of the original scheme. Accurate test results, unfortunately, are impossible, but subsequent events may hint at the lack of the desired results.


The trigger in the bracket. Photo by Jamesdjulia.com


As far as is known, the Maxim-Silverman self-loading pistol remained at the testing stage of a set of prototypes. For one reason or another, H.S. Maxim and L. Silverman did not continue to develop the project. They focused on the development of a new machine gun design. This weapon has already been mass-produced and has had great success in the international market. It can be assumed that if there is one successful project in the field of small arms, Kh.S. Maxima no longer needed new samples to enter the market. However, it is impossible to exclude other reasons for the refusal of the gun. He could have serious problems hindering the further development of the project and reducing its real commercial prospects.

The Maxim-Silverman project offered one of the world's first self-loading pistol designs. The problem of reloading after each shot had to be solved with the help of a free / semi-free shutter and trigger mechanism of an interesting design. The undoubted advantage of such a gun - if we take into account the time of its creation - was the fact of its existence and the ability to make several shots without reloading manually. At the same time, the existing cartridge made it possible to obtain sufficiently high characteristics and use weapons in various fields. The most noticeable disadvantage of the project was the absence of any fuse. In addition, the pistol ergonomics could be considered ambiguous.

Anyway, the gun Maxim-Silverman did not go into the series. Three prototypes of such weapons have survived to this day. Now they are stored in museums and private collections. Due to the small amount of these products are of special collection value. The interest of potential buyers leads to the formation of appropriate prices. So, in October 2013, one of the experienced pistols was put up for auction with a starting price of 10 thousand US dollars. Its final cost reached 22,5 thousands. According to various sources, two of the three pistols are currently owned by private collectors, the third is in the museum.

Working on new designs of small arms, Maxim Maxim Stephens and his colleagues offered several options for automation and associated mechanisms. One of these proposals was implemented in the project gun 1896 year. This project has not advanced further test prototypes and actually did not give real results. Nevertheless, like any other early version of autoloading weapons created at the end of the 19th century, it is of great interest and occupies a special place in stories.


On the materials of the sites:
http://forgottenweapons.com/
http://alloutdoor.com/
http://icollector.com/
Our news channels

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest news and the most important events of the day.

21 comment
Information
Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.
  1. +1
    December 27 2017
    Cool pistol was at "Leo" (that is ... from the UK)! The view is original! And the last name "Silverman '' is interesting! It seems to be translated from English into Russian ... but, for some reason," a person of non-English nationality "............ appears before my eyes. Although .. .what am I? Why is Maxim, Nagan, Berdan worse ?! request
  2. +1
    December 27 2017
    Maxim and Silverman are worthy of respect for their contribution to weapons science. Only one machine gun.

    what is it worth. If we compare the first "Maxim" with various mitraliasis and card cases, this is a significant difference.
    And the gun (I heard that he designed other types of weapons) is a pretty perfect model for its time. In appearance, it resembles a Luger pistol (parabellum): the same elongated handle and magazine for 8 rounds, USM action. If you consider that the pistol was created at the end of the 19th century, it is more than good, remember the pistols: Mauser, Manlicher, Bergman, they were created in the same period, but to her god Maxi Silverman is more perfect
    In this regard, I remembered the following: Mauser, Luger, Browning or Bergman, or the same Maxim, they were essentially self-taught and worked on equipment of the "Stone Age", and we have the Kalashnikov concern or Izh, the possibilities are not comparable, but we have no (or is) a modern and reliable gun - Macro and TT receiver
    1. +8
      December 27 2017
      "... (I heard that he designed other types of weapons) ..."
      Yes, Maxim is considered the inventor of yet another deadly weapon, which has been successfully used to this day almost unchanged.

      In what year Maxim received a patent for this weapon of mass destruction, I don’t know, but somewhere in the same years as other applicants for this invention - Hooker and Atkinson.
      1. +2
        December 27 2017
        Strange .... in the 70s I knew this ingenious device (well, maybe with minimal changes) as a “Hero crush”
        1. +4
          December 27 2017
          No wonder. The device is known by various names.
          The one in my picture is from US 528671 A Animal-trap William C. Hooker
          from xnumx
          Atkinson made some improvements and came up with the name Mousetrap Little Nipper. In 1913, he sold his patent for a Procter mouse trap to 1000 pounds.
          With one or another small modifications, this design is produced by many manufacturers to this day.
          Since the mid-twentieth century, traps similar to the idea of ​​a spring mouse trap have been released for hunting fur animals called Victor-Conibear trap or Conibear traps, in honor of the Canadian inventor Frank Conibear. Their sizes can reach 25 * 25 cm.
          And the “Hero crush” or “Hero trap” is from the arsenal of zoologists. Maybe you were engaged in field studies of rodents?
          1. +6
            December 27 2017
            I want to express gratitude not only to the author for an interesting article, but also to you for no less interesting details from the history of the mousetrap. hi
            1. +2
              December 27 2017
              Thanks! It happens that the most trivial things have a very interesting story.
              1. +5
                December 27 2017
                That's right, that's why I like to read not only articles, but also comments on them - you can learn a lot of new things, and on occasion even share it. Yes
                1. +3
                  December 27 2017
                  I agree, only, unfortunately, recently, articles that carry new information and cause a desire to discuss it less and less, the level is lower and lower.
                  1. +4
                    December 27 2017
                    The bitter truth, but indeed really interesting material has not disappeared without a trace.
                    1. +3
                      December 27 2017
                      Grains of gold in tons of rock. You yourself see where the bulk is going - news, opinion, analytics. History and weapons in the pen. More or less decent authors on the fingers of one hand can be counted.
                      1. +7
                        December 27 2017
                        I don’t even know what to say. Sometimes I want to write a comment on an article, but after reading what they commented on before I simply turn to another. sad
          2. The comment was deleted.
          3. +2
            December 28 2017
            Yes, biology faculty of USU.
            1. +1
              December 28 2017
              So you are a biologist. And now?
              1. 0
                December 28 2017
                And now a specialist in cell cultures, formally, a virologist. The weapon is an old hobby, however, more hunting.
                1. +1
                  December 28 2017
                  Hunting weapons of high analysis will leave few indifferent. There was even an idea to write a series of articles on this topic, since the topic on VO is practically absent,
                  1. 0
                    December 28 2017
                    Do not say this to saiguides, they will trample ...
                    1. +1
                      December 28 2017
                      Saiga is not a hunting weapon, like any pump-action and other "shotguns". With the same success it is possible to redo “Maxim” for a smoothbore. By the way, for some reason it didn’t occur to anyone - I think the idea would have gone with a bang.
                      Moreover, in the territory of the former USSR there is no such game that cannot be obtained from a classic hunting rifle. In extreme cases, the classic, again, a fitting. The rest is no longer hunting.
                      1. +1
                        December 29 2017
                        Well, for some reason, the classic shot-beetle has its place on duck, hare and some other hunts. He actively used it for more than 15 years. But for many years I have been hunting only with legash, and here nothing better than a double-barreled shotgun.
    2. +1
      January 15 2018
      If he were more perfect than Mauser, Manlicher, etc., then he would be released in series. And the constructions you mentioned not only were put into production, but some were put into service. wink
  3. 0
    January 2 2018
    The first impression is simple and brutal, like a water pipe. The faceted barrel in the kit complements the impression.

"Right Sector" (banned in Russia), "Ukrainian Insurgent Army" (UPA) (banned in Russia), ISIS (banned in Russia), "Jabhat Fatah al-Sham" formerly "Jabhat al-Nusra" (banned in Russia) , Taliban (banned in Russia), Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), Anti-Corruption Foundation (banned in Russia), Navalny Headquarters (banned in Russia), Facebook (banned in Russia), Instagram (banned in Russia), Meta (banned in Russia), Misanthropic Division (banned in Russia), Azov (banned in Russia), Muslim Brotherhood (banned in Russia), Aum Shinrikyo (banned in Russia), AUE (banned in Russia), UNA-UNSO (banned in Russia), Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (banned in Russia), Legion “Freedom of Russia” (armed formation, recognized as terrorist in the Russian Federation and banned)

“Non-profit organizations, unregistered public associations or individuals performing the functions of a foreign agent,” as well as media outlets performing the functions of a foreign agent: “Medusa”; "Voice of America"; "Realities"; "Present time"; "Radio Freedom"; Ponomarev; Savitskaya; Markelov; Kamalyagin; Apakhonchich; Makarevich; Dud; Gordon; Zhdanov; Medvedev; Fedorov; "Owl"; "Alliance of Doctors"; "RKK" "Levada Center"; "Memorial"; "Voice"; "Person and law"; "Rain"; "Mediazone"; "Deutsche Welle"; QMS "Caucasian Knot"; "Insider"; "New Newspaper"