[FI704] Maxim MG Platoon

After the Finns had won their independence from Russia in 1918 they ended up with about 600 Maxim machine-guns. They were either the m/1905 (the first Russian production model) or the m/1910 (a slightly lighter improved model) all of course in Russian 7.62 mm x 54R caliber. These were on the standard Sokolov-type wheeled mounts. Finnish Army designated the m/1905 and m/1910 the M/09 in line with the very similar German Maxim. The Sokolov mount was also designated M/09 and the Maxim in Finnish use became the M/09-09.

The Finns increased their number of Maxim machine-gun by purchasing them from non-Russian sources during the 1920s, including Poland and Italy. A large number of the Finnish M/09-09s were modified to M/09-21. This remounted the Maxim machine-gun on a folding tri-pod roughly similar to that used by the Germans on the sMG-34 and sMG42. The Finnish also manufactured spares for their growing arsenal of Maxim machine-guns at the Lindelöf metal workshop. They also began to standardise them from 1927 so all parts were of the same specification. The wheeled Sokolov M/09 mount (as well as the M/21 tripod mounts) remained in use during WWII, but the shield was removed to reduce the weight. More Soviet Maxims were captured during the Winter War and were also pressed into action. These were mostly a newer improved m/1910 type, but older m/1910 models were also captured. Older heavier m/1905 types were usually issued to static defence troops, with the lighter M/09-09 (m/1910) and M/09-21 models being issued to mobile troops and for offensive operation where they were likely to be moved often.