Madsen Machine Gun

History of the Madsen Machine Gun

The 20th century is filled with numerous articles covering a large number of machine gun designs that emerged before and during World War I, as well as articles on last missed or forgotten products like Like the Danish-born Madsen, this LMG weapon received considerable attention in both world wars. The Madsen's design was patented in 1901 by Lieutenant Jens Schouboe, who later became the manager of the Dansk Riffel Syndikat (DRS).

Design attributed to Schouboe and Julius A. Rasmussen.

This machine gun was done with one of the more complex internal operating cycles of machine guns at the time - "hybrid" recoil operation with hinge bolts. The method is a version of the Peabody Martini breech used in the lever design, so it becomes both short and long in recoil action. The first part of the action (after firing the cartridge) moves the barrel, barrel extension and bolt back.

Cartridges are moved in and out using a separate rammer and extractor. A series of cams and lugs control the movement of the breech in the assembly.

Despite this seemingly complex internal system and unit cost, the machine gun found many buyers around the world - some 34 countries in total used some version of the rifle at the time.

The original form of the Madsen machine gun was to fire black cartridges, but these proved to be constantly interfering with operations, prompting a switch to the more reliable 6.5mm cartridge. The overall shape of the weapon is more traditional, with a boxy receiving unit, an elongated perforated barrel and a wooden stock. The weapon is fed by a curved, top-loading, detachable magazine that can hold 25, 30 or 40 rounds depending on the magazine length.

Aiming is via a rear V-notch and front post iron configuration. A folding bipod mounts under the barrel behind the muzzle, and a carrying handle makes it easy to transport. The trigger assembly hangs back under the receiver and is protected by a thin, flat ring.

A hinged/foldable pull handle was added to the left side of the receiver.

The gun weighs 20 pounds, is 45 inches long, and has a 23-inch barrel.

Ultimately, depending on the weapon model and global operator, the Madsen machine gun was equipped with various cartridges throughout its career: 6.5x55mm, 6.5x53mm R, 6.5x52mm Carcano, 7. 92x57mm Mauser, 7. 65x53mm Argentine , 7. 62x54mmR, 8x50R Lebel, 8x50mmR Mannlicher, 8. 58mmR Danish Krag, Patrone 88, .303 UK and - finally - 7.62x51mm NATO. Such is the global reach and respect of the machine gun.

Specification

BASIC

Years in Service

1902

Origins

Denmark

Categories

Light Infantry Support Weapon/Light Machine Gun (LMG)

Manufacturer

Dansk Rekylriffel Syndikat AS Madsen - Denmark

Operators

Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Chile; China; Denmark; El Salvador; Estonia; Finland; France; German Empire; Nazi Germany; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Italy Kingdom; Empire of Japan; Latvia; Lithuania; Norway; Netherlands; Paraguay; Portugal; Russian Empire; Sweden; Thailand; Taiwan; Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Air Defense

Able to attack low-flying threats from the air.

Special weapons for specific characters on the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,143 mm

45. 00 at

Barrel length

585mm

03/23 at

Cured weight

19.95 lbs

9.05 kg

Attractions

Rear V-notch; front post (iron).

Action

Long recoil operation

CARTRIDGE & FEED

Caliber(s)*

8x58mmR Danish Krag; 7. 57mm Mauser; 6. 5x55mm; 7. 92mmx57 Mauser (among others)

Rounds / Feed

25-, 30-, or 40-round detachable box magazine.

PERFORMANCE

Rate-of-Fire

450

rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,855 ft/sec

(870 m/sec)

VARIANTS

Madsen Machine Gun - Base Series Name.