Stanley Tests the New Maxin Gun The American inventor Mr H. Maxim has produced a new machine-gun , fitted with a tempered steel shield as a protection against arrows . Two men carry the whole apparatus : the gun with its pivot weighs 56 lbs. , the tripod weighs another 50 lbs. Each Martini-Henry cartridge costs 1 1/2 d. , and the gun will fire 666 shots in a minute . The explorer , Mr H. M. Stanley , visited Dulwich to examine the gun , and after firing 333 shots in half a minute said ' it is a fine weapon , and will be invaluable for subduing the heathen . 1887