Failed to sell at auction.
“Pom-Pom” was the name given to the 37mm Maxim gun by the Boers of South Africa, based on the gun’s sound. It was a Maxim machine gun scaled up to the quite impressive 37mm caliber, intended primarily for naval use defending large vessels against small torpedo boats. This particular example is serial number 2024, made in 1889 and then sold three times before being ultimately purchased by the United States Coast Guard and installed on the USS Manning (along with a second gun, number 2026). The Manning was promptly put into military service by the Navy and steamed down to Cuba, where it participated in the first bombardment of Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
These 37mm guns could fire a wide variety of projectiles, including solid rounds which could pierce an inch (25mm) of iron armor at 100 yards and hollow rounds filled with black powder and fused to explode on impact. During World War One, they would be pushed into anti-aircraft service, with the explosive rounds being extremely effective on early aircraft (when you could get a hit, anyway).
Related:
Bethlehem Steel 37mm Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abEq7bWROwA
Vickers 2.95″ Mountain Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b53isF0RZU
Maxim lMG08/15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbt1_gyAPYY
At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!
Items you may have missed...
Lee Enfield No. 4 Mki Service Rifle .303 British
Visit to Andreas Baumkircher’s gunsmith shop
Merwin & Hulbert Revolvers
Hopkins & Allen XL No.8: A Failed Competitor to the Colt SAA
Chinese SKS • Type56 “Semi” to 500yds: Practical Accuracy
Kalashnikov USA KP-9: A Perfect Copy of the Russian Vityaz SMG