Despite its outstanding merits, the Hotchkiss machine gun has not remained in permanent service with at least one army in the world, because apart from the relative simplicity of the device, it has no outstanding advantages. It was actively used both during the war and in the post-war period, when it was used for a short time in England and the Indian colonies, which were previously controlled by France, and today it has been completely forgotten all over the world.
Testing the first sample
Based on the development of the basis of the easel machine gun, it was possible to design a new weapon model - the Hotchkiss machine gun, which already in 1909 was introduced to the world market immediately in 7 and 10 kg versions. The heavier sample was equipped not only with a barrel, the replacement of which required a minimum amount of time, which was extremely important in combat conditions, but also with a radiator, which immediatelyinterested in the rifle department of Artkom GAU, which decided to test new weapons at the Rifle Range.
Despite the fact that repeated failures of the barrel system were noticed during use, the weapons department decided to continue testing, and placed a new order for a small batch of guns. This decision was directly related to the fact that most foreign states, along with massive machine guns, were also armed with "machine guns", which became widespread due to their power and relative compactness, which had nothing to oppose, and manual - the Hotchkiss machine gun could be a good alternative.
In service with the Air Force
In 1912, the manufacturer presented a new modification of the machine gun, designed for installation on military aircraft. At the same time, the device had characteristic differences from the original sample. Instead of a stock, the Hotchkins machine gun received a pistol grip, to which they added a special sight system and a swivel mount, which greatly simplifies use in the event of a combat alarm. The officer rifle school received the first copies of the improved gun already in June 1914, directly from the manufacturer.
Contribution to World War I
Despite the fact that the first models were not very popular, the Hotchkiss machine gun became extremely popular before the start of the First World War.
Countries adopting it:
- France - 1909. A well-established system allowed the production of more than 700 units per month. The most popular French model was the Hotchkiss machine gun of 1922, the weight of which in all subsequent modifications did not exceed 9.6 kg. The universal design allowed firing at a speed of 450 rounds per minute, which was a very significant indicator at that time. This model was favorably distinguished by the flame extinguishing system, which had not been used before, and was equipped directly on the barrel.
- Great Britain - Mk I Hotchkiss 303. Permanent production was established in 1915.
- USA - Benet Mercier 30 M1909. It is worth noting that for the period up to 1916, the American army had no more than 679 such models.
Regardless of the country of manufacture, it was equipped with a folding bipod system, a ring on the barrel with trunnions so that the machine gun was much easier to install on a light tripod, placing a rear support under it for greater stability. Despite the fact that in countries such as Spain, Norway, Greece and Brazil, the production of these guns was not launched, stable supplies helped to completely correct the problem of lack of weapons.
Hotchkiss machine gun device
Despite all the modifications, the Hotchkiss has retained much of its original design, while gaining a substantial boost to all of its weaknesses. gas regulatorThe chamber in the form of a screw-out piston was mounted in front of the chamber and functioned by measuring the volume, releasing the gas as soon as it reached a critical value. The powder gases removal system was designed in such a way that when they were removed from the cylinder, they passed through the long stroke of the gas piston equipped with a nozzle and were removed through the transverse hole at the bottom of the barrel, without causing any inconvenience to the shooter.
The handle used to reload the gun also acted as a safety catch. The automation system, due to its mobility, had a stroke length of up to 106 mm. The owner of the machine gun could, by turning it, determine for himself in which mode the machine gun would be used:
- S - fuse.
- R - single fire.
- A - continuous fire.
In addition, the Hotchkiss machine gun received intermittent cutting on the bolt and part of the barrel, which was the main factor in the change between these elements of the mounting system of the gun. For these purposes, a clutch was used, equipped with many internal sectors, which, turning on the barrel as a result of the action of the piston rod, were fixed inside the gun.
Machine gun feed
It was necessary to load the machine gun with a hard tape. At the same time, it should be taken into account that if its release was carried out in the UK, the volume of cartridges was 30 pieces, and if in France, then only 24 pieces. When firing, the notch turned due to the lever finger installed in the mobile system.
It is noteworthy that the charging system for each modification was individual, so the 1914 Hotchkiss machine gun was loaded with a flexible metal tape with rigid links, each of which contained three rounds. During use, one negative factor was noticed, despite the fact that the weight of the tape was much lighter than that of the store, it was not very reliable, and it became a very difficult task to charge it at night. On the butt, made of wood, there is a pistol protrusion and an emphasis for the shoulder. In addition, if necessary, even an oiler could be placed in it, for which there was a special compartment.
Prewar years and World War II
Before World War II, the French 13.2 mm Hotchkiss heavy machine gun began to gain popularity again. This was mainly due to the fact that the design provided not only firepower, but also the speed of fire, given the high muzzle velocity.
The mechanism of the machine gun is made like a drummer - this is directly related to the fact that its trigger mechanism, assembled in the butt plate, provides only automatic fire. The only drawback of this model was that it was required to load it with magazines, the volume of which did not exceed 15 rounds. At the same time, the technology of protection against overheating, which is a rib made along the entire length of the barrel, became a plus.
To date, this model of manu althe machine gun is undeservedly forgotten, although it was with its help that the Germans managed to stay in the captured positions for so long, holding back the Soviet troops with its firepower.
