Madsen machine gun

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject.
Please help recruit one or improve this article yourself. See the talk page for details.
Please consider using {{Expert-subject}} to associate this request with a WikiProject

Madsen machine gun

Type	Light machine gun
Place of origin	Denmark
Service history
In service	1903-1955
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Captain Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen
Designed	1896
Specifications
Weight	9.07 kg (20 lb)
Length	1,143 mm (45 in)
Barrel length	584 mm (23.0 in)

Cartridge	6.5x55mm 7.92x57mm Mauser 7.62x54mmR
Action	Long recoil operated
Rate of fire	450 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	870 m/s (2,854 ft/s) (6.5x55mm)
Feed system	25, 30, 40-round detachable box magazine
Sights	V-notch and front post

The Madsen machine gun was a light machine gun developed by a Captain Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen of the Danish artillery in 1896. One of the first light machine guns produced in quantity, the action was unique and required careful machining during the construction. Based on a long barrel recoil, it basically had an automated version of the Martini breechblock.

1 Operational use
2 Users
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links
6 See also

[edit] Operational use

[edit] Up to and including WWI

It was used extensively by the Imperial Russian Army, which bought 1,250 examples and deployed them during the Russo-Japanese war, and was deployed (arming infantry companies, mountain troops and later storm troopers) in 1914 by the German Army in 7.92 mm calibre. It saw service during World War I. It was considered expensive to produce, but was known for its reliability. It was sold to 34 nations in a dozen different calibers^[1] before and after World War I, seeing service in China during the Warlord era.

[edit] Interwar era

The gun was bought by the Paraguayans in the 1920s and early 1930s as that country quietly girded for war with Bolivia over mutual claims to the Gran Chaco region, and it served in the Paraguayan army in the Chaco War (1932-1935). Almost 400 were on hand when the war began, and more were bought as the war progressed.^[2]

[edit] WWII

It was still in use as late as April-June 1940 as the Royal Norwegian Army's standard light machine gun in the Norwegian Campaign, 3,500 M/22s in 6.5x55 Krag being available for the defence of Norway.^[3] Captured Madsens were used by the Germans for second line units throughout the war, and the Danish Army did not retire the last Madsens until 1955. It was standard equipment (in 6.5 mm) with the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) during the interwar period, some being captured and used by the Imperial Japanese Army after the fall of the East Indies.

[edit] Continued use in Brazil

The Madsen continues to be used by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, in 7.62 calibre.^[4] Although some of the Brazilian guns were captured from drug traffickers and pressed into service (mostly old weapons originating from the Argentinian Army as well as some stolen from museums^[5]), the majority of Madsens used by the Brazilian police were donated by the Brazilian Army. Those guns were .30 cal weapons converted to fit 7.62 mm NATO. Official sources state that the Brazilian army retired the Madsen machine gun in 1996. The Brazilian police guns are, as of 2008, being substituted by more modern guns with faster rates of fire.^[6] In April 2008, the last Madsen guns were finally retired.^[7]