Lewis Gun (LMG)

As per the banners and standards my interest in AVBCW and RCW has lead me to investigate the weaponry used between WW1 and WW2.

The Lewis Gun was one such weapon, and was pretty much the LMG of choice for most armies in WW1, RCW and onwards to the beginning of WW2 when it was replaced by several other LMGs (eg the Bren gun). It was a contemporary of the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), and like the BAR was really an early, clumsy form of an assault rifle.

It used the .303 bullet, same as the Lee Enfield (SMLE) rifle that was deployed from pre WW1 until Korea, and the Afghans used it against the Soviets in the 1980’s. Excellent stopping power.

An impressive piece of kit, it was reliable and portable. the British armed forces used it extensively in WW1, and their opponents the Germans liked it so much (well except when it was being fired at them), that they preferred it to the captured Danish Madsens (captured from the Russians) and their own LMGs. My Osprey book cover for Stormtrooper has a picture of German Stormtroopers marching by, equipped with Lewis guns.

The bipod was the usual equipment, the tripod the same as used by the Vickers HMG, and they were used in aeroplanes often dual mounted with double sized round magazines.

Not much fun.

Now 100 years old, it’s yours for £15k+…