Has any one ever heard a Hiram Maxim silencer

Wilder · Post by **Wilder** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:52 pm

Has anone ever heard a original Maxim silencer. If so how quiet was it compared to todays technology. How far have we really come?

chrismartin · Post by **chrismartin** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:45 pm

Wilder wrote:Has anone ever heard a original Maxim silencer. If so how quiet was it compared to todays technology. How far have we really come?

The Suppressor market was very static for a long time. The 1934 NFA really stalled things out.
The private market (You and I) couldn't afford NFA items ($200 tax was on average half of your yearly salary at the time, all for a $10 silencer)
The military didn't see a need for silencers.

The Maxim suppressor was really good for .22.

From a technological standpoint, I'd say we are very far ahead with designs and especially materials. Designs that work well with high power rifles, etc.

Just my laymans look at things.

Post by **silencertalk** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:03 pm

My take is this -- Maxim designs are better than all but a few silencers made today -- at least if they were made with today's steel and coatings. Yes, most silencers made today are worse than a Maxim silencer design-wise - including from popular major brands.

Hush · Post by **Hush** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:10 pm

It was the best .22 can in its day and still hold its own against some of todays cans.
One company is marketing them along with copies of old Colt .22 pistols but I don't remember who.
I believe if my memory is serving me correctly that I have read BlackJack Pershing's troops had some Maxim's with them on their expedition into old Mexico when they went after Pancho Villa.

joho · Post by **joho** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:13 pm

Hush wrote:It was the best .22 can in its day and still hold its own against some of todays cans.
One company is marketing them along with copies of old Colt .22 pistols but I don't remember who.
I believe if my memory is serving me correctly that I have read BlackJack Pershing's troops had some Maxim's with them on their expedition into old Mexico when they went after Pancho Villa.

I think I remember reading that on AAC's "Fact of the day" that pops up on the website.

oldcoot · Post by **oldcoot** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:52 pm

One company is marketing them along with copies of old Colt .22 pistols but I don't remember who.

The company is:

http://www.usfirearms.com/

http://www.usfirearms.com/pages/woodsma ... elease.asp

http://www.usfirearms.com/pages/maxim_press_release.asp

Hush · Post by **Hush** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:00 pm

Yep, thats the place, thanks.

Post by **silencertalk** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:02 pm

F--k em'

I left them three voicemails offering to let them examine several original Maxim silencers so they could make better copies and they did not bother to return my call.

mike26038 · Post by **mike26038** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:20 pm

oldcoot wrote:
One company is marketing them along with copies of old Colt .22 pistols but I don't remember who.
The company is:

http://www.usfirearms.com/

http://www.usfirearms.com/pages/woodsma ... elease.asp

http://www.usfirearms.com/pages/maxim_press_release.asp

There goes the retirement fund. I got's to have one of them.

444 · Post by **444** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:20 pm

Attention dealers: I want one of those reproduction Maxim suppressors. I will pay deposit now. If you order any, get me one.

No, I have never heard a real Maxim silencer. I did read a facinating article in The Small Arms Review 3-4 years ago where they tested an original Maxim can using modern testing methods. The first thing to consider is that the supprressor they were testing was owned by a slaughter house and had been used on a diaily basis since it was purchased new like 100 years ago. When the NFA of 1934 came along, they registered it. The can was mounted to a custom, one of a kind handgun made for that can. They estimated that over 100,000 rounds had been fired through the gun/suppressor.
Long story even longer, it metered right up there with anything we have today.

twodollarbill · Post by **twodollarbill** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:34 pm

I cut my teeth on the maxim silencer on a Stevens 22 rifle (I forget

which model), Dad always had a few laying around the shop to play

with...those were the days. Yes, they were quiet. I recall a fellow C-3

in the late 80's (?) trying to figure out if they would work on a 22lr Furr

Gatling gun due to their offset design ...... don't think he every located

enough cans!!!! That would of been impressive.

We have come a long way since then.....the maxim's coupling was just

hammered on the end of the barrel....NO ALIGNMENT WORRYS THERE!!!

HEY!!! Originally they only cost $5 complete, including the universal

coupling and a barrel sleeve (thread protector) with instructions in a

nice cardboard TUBE case.......

DID THEY HAVE A PATIENT ON THAT TUBE CASE?????....Just wondering

Hootiewho · Post by **Hootiewho** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:16 pm

It has been a long time ago that I saw a very early model Colt woodsman with a factory threaded barrel & thread protector in the factory box with a matching serial number Maxim .22lr suppressor, also had a factory Colt instruction manual for the pistol and the can. The person that had this was an old man and had no idea of what he had or what to do with it, all I could do was drool. I have never even heard of such a pistol, but I saw it with my on eyes. It was in excellent condition and even had a leather holster if memory serves me correct. I told him he should contact a museum or PD or not show it to anyone else and throw it in the lake...

You guys should have seen it, I would say it was WWI era, I haven't ever been able to find anything on the net about it. The instruction book looked like it was printed only a few years ago it was so well kept.

#93 · Post by **#93** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:32 pm

I got to hear one at last years silencer shoot. Silent Mike demoed them. I would say the sound is on par with todays technology and better than some.

Tobi · Post by **Tobi** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:28 am

Nowadays the Maxim patent should be expired.
If they are such good cans, why it will not made today with modern materials?

3101 · Post by **3101** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:08 am

twodollarbill wrote:I cut my teeth on the maxim silencer on a Stevens 22 rifle (I forget

which model), Dad always had a few laying around the shop to play

with...those were the days. Yes, they were quiet. I recall a fellow C-3

in the late 80's (?) trying to figure out if they would work on a 22lr Furr

Gatling gun due to their offset design ...... don't think he every located

enough cans!!!! That would of been impressive.

We have come a long way since then.....the maxim's coupling was just

hammered on the end of the barrel....NO ALIGNMENT WORRYS THERE!!!

HEY!!! Originally they only cost $5 complete, including the universal

coupling and a barrel sleeve (thread protector) with instructions in a

nice cardboard TUBE case.......

DID THEY HAVE A PATIENT ON THAT TUBE CASE?????....Just wondering

Ol' Hiram must have had a patent on that tube, the last 4 M42K's we got came in boxes.....

twodollarbill · Post by **twodollarbill** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:02 am

I asked "pops" if he still had any Maxim's laying around
He said.... "sure", he is up there in age.
I asked "Registered????"........"sure"
I went and picked up a complete new in
the tube unit and took some pics.
Whats the easiest way for me to post them?

Wilder · Post by **Wilder** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:13 am

I don't know how to post them but i'm looking forward to seeing them.

444 · Post by **444** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:40 am

Hootiewho wrote:It has been a long time ago that I saw a very early model Colt woodsman with a factory threaded barrel & thread protector in the factory box with a matching serial number Maxim .22lr suppressor, also had a factory Colt instruction manual for the pistol and the can. The person that had this was an old man and had no idea of what he had or what to do with it, all I could do was drool. I have never even heard of such a pistol, but I saw it with my on eyes. It was in excellent condition and even had a leather holster if memory serves me correct. I told him he should contact a museum or PD or not show it to anyone else and throw it in the lake... You guys should have seen it, I would say it was WWI era, I haven't ever been able to find anything on the net about it. The instruction book looked like it was printed only a few years ago it was so well kept.

A buddy of mine that is a cop in Ohio told me that someone turned in a Maxim suppressor similar to what you describe and it was destroyed by the ATF.

Artful · Post by **Artful** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:43 am

twodollarbill wrote:I asked "pops" if he still had any Maxim's laying around
He said.... "sure", he is up there in age.
I asked "Registered????"........"sure"
I went and picked up a complete new in
the tube unit and took some pics.
Whats the easiest way for me to post them?

I use imageshack

Artful wrote:First you need to save you picture on the Net somewhere
I usually same it on imageshack go here
http://reg.imageshack.us/
see where is says browse click on that
then find your image on your computer then double click it or hit the open
now click "Host it" - then you save the address for direct link to image
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On you post here you can link to image by putting the address between the [ img ] and the [ / img ] -- and it's real easy see the little box with Img just under the Subject box on this site - click once paste the address and click it again.

OR

Suppressor Professor wrote:http://www.imgfree.net

Just browse for your file, give it a title, choose a size then click submit.
then, choose which type of upload you want. You can cut and past the URL code into your message box... then highlight the URL, then click on the IMG button (if you are on st.com) this is easier than the imageshack way...

solitary.phoenix · Post by **solitary.phoenix** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:18 am

*IF* you can locate a Maxim these days, what is the going price?

twodollarbill · Post by **twodollarbill** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:08 pm

thanks artful....here it goes

Maxim pics.....

http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 015ag1.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 004ol0.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 005nz9.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 011pd4.jpg

When I asked if it was registered I was given a stack of ATF forms about
3 inches high and told too look for it.

Boy it's nice dad's favorite son with the same name!!!!!

3101 · Post by **3101** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:26 pm

no pics 2 dollar bill....try again...
disregard, working now

Mtdew · Post by **Mtdew** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:27 pm

twodollarbill wrote:thanks artful....here it goes

Maxim pics.....

When I asked if it was registered I was given a stack of ATF forms about
3 inches high and told too look for it.

Boy it's nice dad's favorite son with the same name!!!!!

fixed the links

twodollarbill · Post by **twodollarbill** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:32 pm

Just fixed.......Sorry!!!!
I clicked 'em and also right click'em and open in a new window
I learn something new every day!!!!!
Lunch time is over and the BELL just rang...gotta go.

solitary.phoenix · Post by **solitary.phoenix** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:46 pm

That is insanely sweet.