April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This exceedingly rare and desirable Russian Model 1910 Maxim is documented in Dolf Goldsmith’s book "The Devil’s Paintbrush." Many Russian Maxim Guns were captured by the Germans during World War I and subsequently converted to fire Germany's own 8mm Mauser cartridge. They are immediately recognizable by a large "S" riveted to the top cover. The Russians had both the older brass as well as steel smooth jacket Maxim's during World War I, but the brass jacket gun was and is by far more scarce. On this specimen the steel fusee cover bears the Imperial Russian double headed eagle and Cyrillic markings including serial number and stated 1915 year of manufacture. Bottom plate, trunnion, and nose cap are all of steel construction. Water jacket also bears Imperial Russian eagle symbol water jacket. Brass water filler cap missing its extended hard rubber thumb piece but otherwise serviceable. Water drain cap is a steel replacement with red hard rubber thumb piece remaining. Cork, chain, and attachment hardware for chain to jacket not present. Serial numbers match on sideplates, fusee cover, top cover and backplate as well as trunnion trigger bar and cross bolt. Bolt is numbered 7008. Optical sight bracket present on left side receiver plate. Top cover has large steel “S” riveted on indicating conversion to 8mm Mauser by Germans after capture. Muzzle booster assembly is of German MG08 type. Barrel is marked “S” / SN “8859” / Nazi eagle proof mark. Oil brush caps are numbered 42 and 22 respectively and oil brushes are intact and serviceable. Early and highly desirable original brass base Sokolov mount, serial number 4541, has extendable legs attached to undercarriage and steel wheel at rear base of carriage. Reproduction armor shield present. Mounting pin retention chain is a latter day replacement. Underside of gun trunnion is engraved “JPL T AZ85653”, which indicates that at one time this arm was in the possession of a close friend of Dolf Goldsmith's who was a noted firearms enthusiast in Arizona. This specimen was also owned for many years by H. P. White Laboratories, as stated in Goldsmith’s book “The Devil’s Paintbrush” on Page 225. Mechanics are fine. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dolf Goldsmith collection; The class III weapons formerly on loan to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent, near 100% refinish on steel parts with area around engraving on fusee cover turning a brown patina. Charging handle blue has worn thin and turned a slight patina on ball where it is grasped to actuate. Brass water jacket shows evidence of polishing and retains much of that shine together with a mottling of brown spots and some nicks. Muzzle is in very clean condition. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright with some wear to lands. Lock face is extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto only machine gun. Mount retains about 30% of its green painted finish otherwise mostly a dark brown patina on steel of carriage and rims of wheels, which are worn bright at edges. Turn table assembly also an even light brown patina. Brass base unpainted and quite attractive. Armor shield retains 95% green repainted finish with red oxide primer showing through scratches and wear to edges. This Maxim is the "Holy Grail" for the World War I Maxim collector whether they be interested in Russian or German military history. This gun may well be the only specimen of its kind on its original side-plate and registered fully transferable and Curio & Relic eligible in the United States. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.