Now two other types of rifle-calibre machine guns were coming into use. They reverted to the old types of "organ" guns. The first of these was the Nordenfeldt, an invention of a Swedish engineer, Palmcrantz. The Gardner followed the Nordenfeldt. The former started with five barrels in 1885, but with improved loading mechanism was ultimately reduced to two.

Up to now all types of guns had been manually operated.

In very short order, however, Mr. (later Sir) Hiram Maxim, an American electrical engineer, was to appear on the scene. In 1883 he applied for the first of a series of patents which were to produce the first automatic-weapon which, once started, would go on reloading and firing itself as long as pressure was maintained on the firing button - and there was ammunition being fed it.

It is claimed for the Maxim that it is one of the most remarkable inventions ever made, if for no other reason than that the first gun produced was practically perfect and did everything claimed for it. There have been mechanical modifications of the Maxim principles, but in all essentials there have been no real improvements needed.

The first Maxim gun fired between 600 and 700 rounds per minute.

Hiram Maxim did not start out to be a gun maker. He had been a successful inventor and was in Europe as the agent of an American electrical concern in the pioneer days of electric lighting. In "My Life," his autobiography, published in 1915, Sir Hiram recounts a seemingly trivial conversation which led him to explore the field of machine gun making.

Wrote Sir Hiram:
"In 1881 I visited the Electrical Exhibition in Paris and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour on account of some electrical and chemical work that I had done; and about a year later I was in Vienna, where I met an American Jew, whom I had known in the States. He said: 'Hang your chemistry and electricity. If you wish to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable these Europeans to cut each other's throats with greater facility.'

"This made me think of the time when I was only about fourteen years of age and was making drawings for my father of a hand-worked machine gun. I also thought of the powerful kick I got the first time I fired a U. S. military rifle. On my return to Paris I made a very highly finished drawing of an automatic rifle. Happening to meet a Scotchman in Paris, whom I had known in the States, I showed him my drawings. He invited me to come to London. I did so and shortly after I started an experimental shop at 57 Hatton Garden."