The Nordenfelt Machine Guns described in Detail and compared with other Systems; also their Employment for Naval and Military Purposes.

NORDENFELT, Thorsten.

Published by Portsmouth: Griffin & Co., 1884

About this Item

First edition of this very rare promotional publication for Nordenfelt's guns. In the preface, the author states, "When I commenced to write this treatise upon Machine Guns it was my intention to endeavour to give an unbiassed opinion about this subject in general; but I soon found it impossible to avoid comparisons, and I have therefore thought it better to give my own views, 'sans peur et sans reproche,' as to how perfect Machine Guns should be constructed". Nordenfelt moved from Sweden to England in 1866 and started a company trading Swedish steel for finished rails. In 1875, he met the inventor Helge Palmkrantz, who had recently patented a multi-barrel, lever-actuated machine gun. Nordenfelt became Palmkrantz's backer and British agent, convincing him to name the gun the Nordenfelt Machine Gun. Later, Nordenfelt was pressured by Rothschild and Vickers to merge with Maxim, forming The Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company in 1888. Two years later, Nordenfelt went bankrupt and was forced out of the company. He moved to France, where he established the Société Nordenfelt and developed the eccentric screw breech used on the French 75. The Maxim company pursued him over a non-competition clause, and he retired to Sweden in 1903. Quarto (300 x 238 mm). 53 plates. Near contemporary dark brown half morocco, pale brown pebble-grain cloth sides, spine title gilt direct, low bands with a dotted roll, gilt, double rules to the compartments, crests of the Library of the Parliament of New South Wales at foot of spine and to front board, marbled edges and endpapers. Just a little rubbed, some foxing throughout, but overall very good.

Seller Inventory # 87744

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Nordenfelt Machine Guns described in Detail and compared with other Systems; also their Employment for Naval and Military Purposes.
• Publisher: Portsmouth: Griffin & Co., 1884
• Edition: 1st Edition