FULLY TRANSFERABLE, OUTSTANDING, VERY RARE SECOND CONTRACT ARGENTINE WORLD STANDARD DWM BRASS MAXIM MACHINE GUN

FULLY TRANSFERABLE, OUTSTANDING, VERY RARE SECOND CONTRACT ARGENTINE WORLD STANDARD DWM BRASS MAXIM MACHINE GUN

03-2017 | Cal. 7.65. | S# 138. | Bbl. 28″.

A beautiful example of one of only 130 Argentine second contract Maxim Guns ordered for the Argentine Army from Deutshe Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in Germany in 1898. Argentina was a very early buyer of the Maxim Machine Gun and in their first contract, ordered 50 guns, serial numbered from 1 to 50, which were manufactured at the Maxim Nordenfelt Guns & Ammunition Company Ltd. in England. In 1898 a second order was placed, this time through DWM, in Germany, and serial numbered from 51 to 200. They all had brass water jackets except for the last 20 guns, which used steel water jackets. This example is considered a “Second Contract” Argentine Maxim & is complete w/ several matching numbered parts on an equally gorgeous Ackland Argentine tripod made by Vickers, Sons & Maxim (VSM) in England, serial number 143. Very few of these guns remain in existence today, let alone having been properly registered & cared for to the capacity of this example. Dark blued finish on receiver & top cover really brings out the contrast of the factory brass parts such as the matching numbered barrel jacket, feed block, fusee cover, back plate & trigger. Brass data plate on top of top cover reads: “CARTUCHO / MAUSER ARGENTINO / 1909”, signifying that it had been retrofitted in 1909 for use w/ the high-velocity 7.65x53mm, pointed Spitzer round, which also included updating the sights for the flatter trajectory of the higher speed bullet. The Fusee cover on the left side of the receiver is marked: “DEUTSCHE WAFFEN UND MUNITIONSFABRIKEN BERLIN / NO 138 / MAXIM’S PATENT / 1898” on the side & marked: “NO 138 / TENSION DEL RESORTE: PUNA 15/30MM FOGUEO”. Several obviously identifiable parts retain serial numbers matching receiver number, from large to small, including those brass parts previously mentioned, those in the trigger assembly, the lock, and even small pins. Barrel marked 38C. Inside the receiver, below the feed block is is stamped: “RWD / SALEM VA” indicating that it may have once been deactivated & reactivated at some point in history. Booster assembly numbered “89”. Booster cone marked w/ German commercial proof, crown above the letter “U”. Currently sporting an appropriately mounted Carl Zeiss 2.5x optical sight, serial number 2902. Ackland Tripod is serial numbered 143 w/ numerous matching numbers throughout. Just like the beautiful Maxim it was built for, the Pintle, socket & T&E mechanism is all brass. The long legs elevate the Maxim 2 feet off the deck for ease of shooting & creating a gorgeous display. It is complete w/ leather strap & gunners seat. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: framed photograph of Sir Hiram Maxim standing behind a very similar, mounted Maxim Machine Gun, w/ his signature from a document mounted below the photograph in the same frame, German Maxim MG water can w/ brass cap & spigot, spare lock bearing the same serial number “138” appearing to resemble a commercial lock in the style of the Argentine World Standard lock.  NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. PROVENANCE: Military Museum Collection of Shooters Outpost, Hooksett NH. STATUS: CURIO CLASS III.