Hiram Maxim autobiography

Vlim · 05-02-2005, 11:16 AM

Hi,

As most of you know, Hiram S. Maxim, U.S. born inventor stood at the cradle of the toggle-lock mechanism, the famous Maxim machinegun and thus the Luger as we know it today.

I have developed an interest in the product range developed and marketed by DWM, amongs which was a copy of the Maxim, built in license. This machine gun was initially known as the 'Parabellum Machinegun', later better known as the MG08.

Several Luger sources, amongst them John Walter, refer to Maxim's autobiography more than once and I also found a interesting 1930's publication by Engelbrecht and Hanighen which discussed the international arms market during the interbellum. This publication 'Merchants of Death' provides a reasonably objective (in spite of the title) view into 1920's and 1930 international arms dealing and it again referred to Maxim's 1915 autobiography 'My Life'.

I decided to see if I could hold of a copy and after some searching I found one lurking at a New York antique book auctioneer.

The book arrived today and turned out to be somewhat of a surprise. It is in a very good condition, especially for a 90-year old copy and is littered with annotations and remarks in pencil. Apart from that, on the first page the text 'Maxim's own copy -- corrected notation' is handwritten.

The book also contained two newspaper clippings, also dating from 1915, from a newspaper discussing the memorial service of Elbert Hubbard and his wife, who died when the Lusitania was sunk by a German sub. Both articles have references to Maxim's brother, Hudson Maxim, who urged the USA to join the war against Germany.....The page where the clippings were stored has discolored as a result of the clippings being there for a very, very long time....

It appears that I did not get 'a' copy of Maxim's autobiography, but rather one from the Maxim family....I wouldn't dare to hope that the handwriting is Hiram S. Maxim's, but I do suspect it to be Hudson Maxim's.

From one of the cover pages: 'Maxim's own copy -- corrected notation'

Annotated page with the remark 'Original **** and bull story'

Last page, cover. List of pages with remarks.

Newspaper clippings, found in the book, dated may 24th, 1915.
'NY Times'

John Sabato · 05-02-2005, 12:03 PM

Quite an interesting find Gerben... thanks for sharing it with us all!

wterrell · 05-02-2005, 01:22 PM

Bibliophilia is a dreadful affliction. Once stricken, you will never recover. The malady can replace other, lesser, addictions and become consuming.

I have owned several such books (sporting and hunting) which were annotated by the authors and included additional treasures such as were included with your Maxim copy. These books, some with an age of 150-200 years, almost enable one to commune with the author.

This is the stuff for philosophers, not gun enthusiasts.

Ron Wood · 05-02-2005, 01:36 PM

Philosophy and gun enthusiasm are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Wonderful find Gerben. Thanks for sharing.

Don M · 05-02-2005, 01:52 PM

Gerben,

This is an amazing find! But, please tell me what happened with Hiram and the bull!!!

John Sabato · 05-02-2005, 01:54 PM

I agree Ron... if one cannot philosophize about gun enthusiasm, what then shall we philosophize about?

wterrell · 05-02-2005, 01:57 PM

You fellers are getting too deep for me. Wish I had never made such an left-handed remark. Too early in the morning, you know.

Rod WMG · 05-02-2005, 02:35 PM

Congratulations. I'd love to find something like that.

Vlim · 05-03-2005, 02:19 PM

Hi Don,

He slowly approached the bull and lodged himself on the tail as an anchor. The bull would tumble over and he'd keep it on the ground, getting the bull by the horns. (at least, that's what he claimed

).

Wes, thanks for the comments. I'm afraid I'm starting to get hooked on period documentation...Especially in the Luger collecting era, where most documentation is from the 3rd hand and at best from the 2nd, it's refreshing and most interesting to read the 1st hand accounts.

His remarks on the quality of English workmanship (or rather the lack of it) and the tendency of workmen to find just about any excuse to get drunk was rather entertaining. I'll try to post some scans of the illustrations as well, some excellent Maxim demonstration photographs.

the gunman · 05-03-2005, 05:59 PM

Gerbin what a wouderful find . Did you know before hand that these articles and notes were in the book. What Luck, strange what turns up in odd places.

Vlim · 05-04-2005, 11:52 AM

Hi Richie,

No I didn't. Purchased the book as 'just another copy'. I wrote the auctioneer to ask whether they had any information on the source of the book. I hope that'll shed more light on this interesting book.

It's actually a very entertaining read and I was able to gain some insight into the slightly narcist mind of a pretty intelligent inventor. Never realised his involvement in electric lighting, wood turning and painting.

He trodded along the Vermont area as well, btw.

Vlim · 05-05-2005, 12:04 PM

Well,

Decided to scan some of the more interesting illustrations from the book.

The first one is quite well-known and has featured in a number of Maxim-related publications. This is the source of all of them:

These are interesting. Two detail photographs of the Maxim toggle system. Most probably his own hand holding it.

This one was taken while demonstrating the Maxim machinegun to Chinese officials. Most efficient, although a little expensive tree felling equipment.

05-02-2005, 11:16 AM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hiram Maxim autobiography Hi, As most of you know, Hiram S. Maxim, U.S. born inventor stood at the cradle of the toggle-lock mechanism, the famous Maxim machinegun and thus the Luger as we know it today. I have developed an interest in the product range developed and marketed by DWM, amongs which was a copy of the Maxim, built in license. This machine gun was initially known as the 'Parabellum Machinegun', later better known as the MG08. Several Luger sources, amongst them John Walter, refer to Maxim's autobiography more than once and I also found a interesting 1930's publication by Engelbrecht and Hanighen which discussed the international arms market during the interbellum. This publication 'Merchants of Death' provides a reasonably objective (in spite of the title) view into 1920's and 1930 international arms dealing and it again referred to Maxim's 1915 autobiography 'My Life'. I decided to see if I could hold of a copy and after some searching I found one lurking at a New York antique book auctioneer. The book arrived today and turned out to be somewhat of a surprise. It is in a very good condition, especially for a 90-year old copy and is littered with annotations and remarks in pencil. Apart from that, on the first page the text 'Maxim's own copy -- corrected notation' is handwritten. The book also contained two newspaper clippings, also dating from 1915, from a newspaper discussing the memorial service of Elbert Hubbard and his wife, who died when the Lusitania was sunk by a German sub. Both articles have references to Maxim's brother, Hudson Maxim, who urged the USA to join the war against Germany.....The page where the clippings were stored has discolored as a result of the clippings being there for a very, very long time.... It appears that I did not get 'a' copy of Maxim's autobiography, but rather one from the Maxim family....I wouldn't dare to hope that the handwriting is Hiram S. Maxim's, but I do suspect it to be Hudson Maxim's. From one of the cover pages: 'Maxim's own copy -- corrected notation' Annotated page with the remark 'Original **** and bull story' Last page, cover. List of pages with remarks. Newspaper clippings, found in the book, dated may 24th, 1915. 'NY Times'

05-02-2005, 12:03 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Quite an interesting find Gerben... thanks for sharing it with us all! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-02-2005, 01:22 PM	#3
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Bibliophilia is a dreadful affliction. Once stricken, you will never recover. The malady can replace other, lesser, addictions and become consuming. I have owned several such books (sporting and hunting) which were annotated by the authors and included additional treasures such as were included with your Maxim copy. These books, some with an age of 150-200 years, almost enable one to commune with the author. This is the stuff for philosophers, not gun enthusiasts. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

05-02-2005, 01:36 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Philosophy and gun enthusiasm are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Wonderful find Gerben. Thanks for sharing. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-02-2005, 01:52 PM	#5
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Gerben, This is an amazing find! But, please tell me what happened with Hiram and the bull!!! __________________ Regards, Don [email protected] Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

05-02-2005, 01:54 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	I agree Ron... if one cannot philosophize about gun enthusiasm, what then shall we philosophize about? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-02-2005, 01:57 PM	#7
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	You fellers are getting too deep for me. Wish I had never made such an left-handed remark. Too early in the morning, you know. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

05-02-2005, 02:35 PM	#8
Rod WMG User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Edge of Texas Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Congratulations. I'd love to find something like that.

05-03-2005, 02:19 PM	#9
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi Don, He slowly approached the bull and lodged himself on the tail as an anchor. The bull would tumble over and he'd keep it on the ground, getting the bull by the horns. (at least, that's what he claimed ). Wes, thanks for the comments. I'm afraid I'm starting to get hooked on period documentation...Especially in the Luger collecting era, where most documentation is from the 3rd hand and at best from the 2nd, it's refreshing and most interesting to read the 1st hand accounts. His remarks on the quality of English workmanship (or rather the lack of it) and the tendency of workmen to find just about any excuse to get drunk was rather entertaining. I'll try to post some scans of the illustrations as well, some excellent Maxim demonstration photographs.

05-03-2005, 05:59 PM	#10
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Gerbin what a wouderful find . Did you know before hand that these articles and notes were in the book. What Luck, strange what turns up in odd places.

05-04-2005, 11:52 AM	#11
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi Richie, No I didn't. Purchased the book as 'just another copy'. I wrote the auctioneer to ask whether they had any information on the source of the book. I hope that'll shed more light on this interesting book. It's actually a very entertaining read and I was able to gain some insight into the slightly narcist mind of a pretty intelligent inventor. Never realised his involvement in electric lighting, wood turning and painting. He trodded along the Vermont area as well, btw.

05-05-2005, 12:04 PM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Well, Decided to scan some of the more interesting illustrations from the book. The first one is quite well-known and has featured in a number of Maxim-related publications. This is the source of all of them: These are interesting. Two detail photographs of the Maxim toggle system. Most probably his own hand holding it. This one was taken while demonstrating the Maxim machinegun to Chinese officials. Most efficient, although a little expensive tree felling equipment.