Maxim Tangent Sight?

[Richard Fisher]

Good Morning all,

I have just found this tangent sight slide within a box of spares I have and I was wondering what weapon it has come from.

I am presuming it is from a maxim-type weapon so have posted it here.

Many thanks,

Richard

[woodsy]

Hi Richard. I have just had a look at my various Maxims and can advise that it is closest to My 1901 .303 VSM, but not the same. My Maxim sight is longer in the vertical sleeve and has a small window to read the range. I suspect it may be for one of the very early 'five arch' Vickers which did have a similar sight, prior to the adoption of the sight with the wing nut clamp. The GOL does show some pictures of the early guns with similar sights.

[Richard Fisher]

Hi Rod,

Thanks for that. I have an early drum-type tangent sight slide for the Vickers and I think it is probably very similar, if not the same, as the one on your Maxim and therefore not like the one I am questioning about.

I have taken a few more photos of the two alongside each other. It doesn't fit on the tangent sight stem of a Vickers so must be for something else. I was wondering if it appeared in 'Devil's Paintbrush' at all but i do not have a copy of that book so can't check,

Thanks once again,

Rich.

[woodsy]

Hi Richard. After careful study in the Devils Paintbrush, it would appear that the only gun that exhibits a similar sight is the MG08 Maxim made for the German Navy, which not only has similar sight but it also has the elevation rack as a raised bar on the left side of the tangent arm. This fits nicely with your sight. It also shows the little 'wing' behind the drum which yours has. All the other Maxims using a drum elevating sight have the rack on the right. This may also explain why it does not have a VSM marking.

[Richard Fisher]

Excellent, thanks Rod - now just to find somebody with a German Navy MG08 missing the tangent sight slide!

Regards

Rich