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1. The Colt Model 1895 "potato digger". Developed and used as early as the Spanish American War (the Roughriders used two in 7mm). It also saw service during the Boxer Rebellion. By 1914, this design was fading away, but the start of war "resurrected" it and a modified M1914 was produced as the Marlin, used as tank guns and other applications. It saw use by the Navy and Marines and by the Army for training.
2. The Maxim Model 1904. This was based on the famous German design and was adopted by the U.S. Army in that year. 267 guns were made, 90 by Vickers and the rest by Colt. Interestingly, the first guns were chambered in 30-03 but were modified to fire the new 30-06 cartridge shortly afterwards. It can be recognized by the muzzle booster. The main problem was its weight - 150 pounds, with tripod. Used for training only.
3. The Vickers Model 1915: This was adopted by the U.S. in that year, although only about 125 were manufactured at the start, again, by Colt. One thing I was not aware (I assumed these were also used just for training) was that about 12,000 were manufactured and they saw service with several U.S. divisions during WWI, and also were used on U.S.-manned aircraft. They can also be recognized by the muzzle booster, which is slightly different than those used by their British "cousins. The M1915, with tripod, weigh about 2/3 of the Maxim.
(Most of the information I have shared comes from Bruce Canfield's book on U.S. WWI weapons)
Just to show you that old guns have the ability to show up in the strangest places, here are two photo stills from the 1943 war movie Bataan: two two cast members firing either a Vickers M1915 or a Maxim M1904 - I can't get a good look at the breech to tell for sure.
2. The Maxim Model 1904. This was based on the famous German design and was adopted by the U.S. Army in that year. 267 guns were made, 90 by Vickers and the rest by Colt. Interestingly, the first guns were chambered in 30-03 but were modified to fire the new 30-06 cartridge shortly afterwards. It can be recognized by the muzzle booster. The main problem was its weight - 150 pounds, with tripod. Used for training only.
3. The Vickers Model 1915: This was adopted by the U.S. in that year, although only about 125 were manufactured at the start, again, by Colt. One thing I was not aware (I assumed these were also used just for training) was that about 12,000 were manufactured and they saw service with several U.S. divisions during WWI, and also were used on U.S.-manned aircraft. They can also be recognized by the muzzle booster, which is slightly different than those used by their British "cousins. The M1915, with tripod, weigh about 2/3 of the Maxim.
(Most of the information I have shared comes from Bruce Canfield's book on U.S. WWI weapons)
Just to show you that old guns have the ability to show up in the strangest places, here are two photo stills from the 1943 war movie Bataan: two two cast members firing either a Vickers M1915 or a Maxim M1904 - I can't get a good look at the breech to tell for sure.
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