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Lewis gun
The Lewis light machine gun is a British light machine gun designed by American Colonel Isaac Lewis in 1913 and adopted during the First World War. It became one of the first successful light machine guns that combined mobility and high firepower. The Lewis machine gun uses cartridges.303 British (7.7×56 mm R) or, in some versions, other calibers such as .30-06 Springfield. It is equipped with a unique disc magazine for 47 or 97 rounds, which provides long continuous firing. The machine gun operates on the basis of exhaust automation and has an air-cooled barrel, which is achieved due to the characteristic aluminum radiator around the barrel. The Lewis is characterized by its relatively light weight (about 13 kg) and the ability to use bipods, which makes it mobile and convenient for infantry. It was actively used by British troops in the First and Second World Wars, and was also installed on aircraft and armored vehicles. The Lewis machine gun became a symbol of the British Army in the First World War and was widely used in trench warfare due to its reliability and effectiveness. After the war, it was supplied to other countries, including the USSR, where it was used in the Civil War and at the beginning of the World War 2.
Photo of the constructor:
Main Features:
Main Features:
Caliber: .303 British (7.7×56 mm R).
Barrel length: about 660 mm.
Total length: approximately 1280 mm.
Weight: about 13 kg (with full magazine and bipod).
Rate of fire: about 500-600 rounds per minute.
Aiming range:
Effective range: up to 800 meters.
Maximum range: up to 3,200 meters.
Type of automation: operation based on the discharge of powder gases.
Power supply: 47- or 97-round disc magazine.
Other features:
Other features:
Unique design: The Lewis machine gun is easily recognizable due to its massive cylindrical barrel casing and disc magazine. The barrel casing performed the function of air cooling.
Air cooling: Unlike many machine guns of the time, Lewis used a forced air cooling system for the barrel, which allowed for intense fire without the need to replace the barrel.
Lightweight and mobile: Despite weighing about 13 kg, the Lewis machine gun was considered relatively light and mobile for its time. It could be carried and used by one person.
Disc magazine: A 47- or 97-round magazine was located on top, which was an unusual solution, but provided ease of use.
Widespread use: The Lewis machine gun was used by infantry, aviation, and even mounted on armored vehicles. In aviation, it became one of the first machine guns synchronized to fire through an airplane propeller.
Reliability: The machine gun was known for its reliability in various conditions, including
Advantages:
Good mobility for a light machine gun.
Effective air cooling of the barrel.
High rate of fire and magazine capacity.
Reliability in combat conditions.
Versatility: it can be used in infantry and aviation.
Disadvantages:
Heavy weight compared to later light machine guns.
The unusual location of the magazine (on top) could make it difficult to disguise and use in the trenches.
It is difficult to manufacture and maintain due to its unique design.
Interesting facts:
The Lewis had an aluminum radiator around the barrel, which created an "ejection" effect – the air flow from the shot cooled the barrel without water (as in heavy machine guns).
He used 47– or 97-round magazines in the form of a "pancake" - convenient for trench warfare, but not as practical as a ribbon.
Due to the shortage of MG 08/15, the Germans used captured Lewis Guns for their 7.92×57 mm cartridge, designating them as MG 137(e).
In 2018, a British collector fired the furthest aiming shot from Lewis – 3.8 km (although the effective range is only 800 m).
Isaac Lewis also invented:
An electric gyroscope for ships.
A fire control system for the US Navy.
Photo:
British Lewis machine gun crew in position in Gibraltar, 1938
Finnish soldiers demonstrate Lewis machine guns in the village of Kayani, 1939
The military parade of the Soviet army on Red Square, in the hands of soldiers carrying "Lewis", 1941
Author: Alexander Ustinov
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