Pals:

I'm sure I've asked this --but cannot find the answer.

What was the weight of a bullet in the Maxim machine guns used at 2nd Ypres.
Cheers,
NMG

Ahoj!
Most likely identical to the bullets of the SMLE. Do a web search for .303 ammunition.

This site might be helpful:
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/
Borys

Hi everybody,

The bullet used in the Maxim machine gun was the S type.
S for Spitzer, (sharp-pointed)
It was introduced in March 1915 and had a weight of 10g

Best regards,
Pascal

Ahoj!
I feel a bit silly - as I include the Vickers in the "Maxim" category, I somehow thought you were asking about the Vickers.
So my original answer stays, with the difference that it should be 7,92mm Mauser rifle.
Borys

The round used was the standard 7.92 mm rimless bottlenecked one. Weight of complete round was 408 grains = 26.44 grams. The actual bullet weighed 198 grains = 12.83 grams. While we are at it, it contained a nominal 47 grains = 3.05 grams of propellant. My source is Smith and Smith Small Arms of the World

Jack

This model is designated sS for schwere Spitzen (Heavy sharp-pointed)
It is also longer than the S model: 35,3mm instead of 28mm

During WWI, they were used only with M08 machine guns and were produced in little quantity
They became the standard munitions of the wehrmacht during the 30s

Pascal

were they not only used for M08 with indirect fire sights? Ref my latest book purchase German 7.9mm military ammunition, Daniel W Kent.

I'm sure Tony E can tell us.

Mick

yes, you're right Mick

Pascal

otherwise its 10g

Mick

Thanks to all of you.
Cheers,
Nathan

Pretty strange to see a post that I didn't write signed with my name...
I am used to have "exclusivity" over it!

(The other) Pascal

Sorry Pascal
Pascal

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while... I've read that the German "7.92" mm ammo was actually 8.2mm, and in fact had a muzzle velocity of +-2800 fps as compare to .303 2440 fps. Is this correct ? Or is 7.92 the bore and 8.2 the bullet size ? If so, how would German troops have referred to the ammo ? Did they just call it 8 mil ?
I just had another thought. If both mg08 and Vickers were Maxim designs, they must have had the same mechanism, is that correct ? But .303 was rimmed and 7.92 wasn't. As I understand it, a rimmed round had to somehow be pulled back out of the belt to be loaded whereas a rimless round can be pushed straight forward into the breach... theoretically it should work faster ? But both had similar rate of fire. So was the Maxim actually designed for rimmed cartridges and treated rimless as if they were rimmed ?
thanks
Rod

Ahoj!
Polanjd, gifted a German rikle plant by the Allies, adopted the 7,92mm Mauser ammunition. Poland rechambered everything they could lay their hands on for it: Russian Maxim 1910, Austrian 8mm Mannlicher, BAR and Browning HMG - and it was always the 7,92.

Borys

You're right, the size of the german 7,92 was actally 8.22mm and it's velocity 860m/s (2821 fps) in a 740mm barrel.

Pascal