Yet again another very interesting article from wwiiafterwwii website, this time the Czarist M1910 Maxim in use in the Ukraine, aka drone-busters are us :
https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2024/12/01/pm-m1910-in-the-russo-ukrainian-war/
Yes, Czarist, it predates the Soviet era.
Great article Mark
These early HMGs are so durable - there is a comment in the article that they have no expected end-of-life from use. But also it would seem that the ones in use may largely be new (or at least thoroughly refurbished in the 50s).
I hadn't realised the water jacket was originally smooth - not sure I want to revisit my WWI Russians to correct this, the fluted jacket is iconic of the gun.