[Lafayette C Curtis]

Does anybody here know of any place where I can get an audio recording of the Maxim-Nordenfeldt 1-pdr pom-pom gun in action? All I've been able to find are recordings or videos of rifle-caliber Maxim guns, and I'm left wondering about whether the larger models sounded anything like them (and what the people back then meant by a "pom-pom" sound).

[Joel Minturn]

I couldn't find any video or audio of one in action. I don't think it would sound anything like the rifle version. The rifle round would have more a sharper crack sounds when fired. I would think it would sound more like a 40mm Bofors cannon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLA9yvs-N90&feature=related. They have kind of "pom-pom" sound

The 40mm Bofors was created as a replacement for the 2lb Pom-Pom gun.

[Robin Palmer]

Hi joel.

The original pom-pom was a 37mm vickers with a shell weight of 1lb the name was given it by british troops in the boar war like many it came from the sound it made firing. Both the royal navy and British army used it as AA weapons during the 14-18 war. It later evolved into the two pounder used by the royal navy as an AA gun 39-45. It was replaced by the 40mm bofor which had considerable better range. The Bofor is probably the closest you will get today but not perfect in fact the name says it all. PomPomPomPom.

Yours bob palmer

[Lafayette C Curtis]

Very interesting--more of a very loud "thump" than a "bang," isn't it? At least now I know how I can describe it more-or-less convincingly.