The Maxim Gun is a type of machine gun invented by Sir Hiram Maxim in 1884. It was one of the first fully automatic firearms, capable of firing multiple rounds in quick succession without manual reloading. The gun operated using the energy from the recoil of each shot, allowing it to cycle and fire continuously as long as ammunition was available. The Maxim Gun played a significant role in military conflicts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in colonial wars. Its rapid-fire capability gave armies that used it a considerable advantage over opponents with traditional firearms, influencing the tactics and outcomes of battles during that era.