The Hotchkiss Model Of 1914 Heavy Machine Gun

4thIDvet · 05-30-2018, 05:59 PM

The most commonly issued machine gun to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was the gas-operated French Model of 1914 Hotchkiss in 8x50 mm R Lebel. The height of the “Omnibus” tripod (above) was one of the Doughboys’ few complaints. The other was weight—111 lbs.

A century ago, American troops faced Germans in the trenches and fields of France. The United States had entered the war a year before, in April 1917, as a fresh-faced member of the Allied cause—full of energy but lacking many of the essential tools of war. Later in 1917, elements of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) arrived in France, but they did so without machine guns.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...y-machine-gun/

MrKalashnikov · 05-30-2018, 07:02 PM

It was heavy but reliable, unlike many other firearms the froggies fielded during the Great War.

The Japs basically copied the French design of the Hotchkiss for their Nambu series of MGs deployed during WWII, with great success.

baboon · 05-30-2018, 07:07 PM

Never seen one that wasn't behind glass! I guess the guys that own them are up there in age & seldom shoot them. Parts might be a huge bitch.

Sanders · 05-30-2018, 07:19 PM

It doesn't look that heavy - unless that's the weight with the tripod attached?

Just a little sidetrack - I dreamed last night that I had to reassemble a Ma Deuce and couldn't find the recoil spring anywhere! I still remembered how to do it, though.

cerberus · 05-31-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanders

Just a little sidetrack - I dreamed last night that I had to reassemble a Ma Deuce and couldn't find the recoil spring anywhere! I still remembered how to do it, though.

I had a dream two nights ago about a raven-haired X-Ray Technician.
Trust me, my dream beats yours, and I still know how to do it.

cerberus

Pogo · 06-02-2018, 01:58 PM

I've always wanted a Chauchat light machine gun. I know that they are considered by many to be the worst machine gun ever. But I'd like one for my collection.

Most of the working ones I've seen sold for $5,000 to $7,000. No way am I paying that for one.

I remember when I was young and didn't have much money they were selling in Shotgun News for $50.00. Oh, to have the foresight back then.

Pogo · 06-02-2018, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanders

It doesn't look that heavy - unless that's the weight with the tripod attached?

Machine gun - 53 lbs. Tripod mount - 58 lbs.

Fabricate a lighter tripod and it wouldn't be all that bad.

baboon · 06-02-2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

I've always wanted a Chauchat light machine gun. I know that they are considered by many to be the worst machine gun ever. But I'd like one for my collection.

Most of the working ones I've seen sold for $5,000 to $7,000. No way am I paying that for one.

I remember when I was young and didn't have much money they were selling in Shotgun News for $50.00. Oh, to have the foresight back then.

Ever look for a dewat? It should drop the price down a few grand.

4thIDvet · 06-02-2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

Ever look for a dewat? It should drop the price down a few grand.

Full auto 50 cal Ma Deuce waiting for you at Ocala Armory gun shop I think it is boon? This if it is not sold? $50,000 chump change for you. LOL.
Never ever shot one but been shot at with one and it was not fun.

Holy sheeeet like trees were coming apart. I told my two buddies with me prepare to die.

baboon · 06-02-2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4thIDvet

Full auto 50 cal Ma Deuce waiting for you at Ocala Armory gun shop I think it is boon? This if it is not sold? $50,000 chump change for you. LOL.
Never ever shot one but been shot at with one and it was not fun.

Holy sheeeet like trees were coming apart. I told my two buddies with me prepare to die.

I don't want a crew served weapon! My buddy with his M60 has to drags so much more shit then I do.

We were talking about Ma Deuces on the way home from a shoot. Lots of shit to contend with with a Ma Duce. Head spacing the barrels, mounts, feeding it then the fact they can shoot so fucking far. Hell my gun club won't let me shoot my Mc Bros .50 bmg rifle for liability reasons. Same thing with a Barrett finding a place to shoot them around here is a chore.

Eightball · 06-02-2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

Hell my gun club won't let me shoot my Mc Bros .50 bmg rifle for liability reasons. Same thing with a Barrett finding a place to shoot them around here is a chore.

A few years ago a .50 BMG bullet went through the roof of a camper at a NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway and hit a woman in the arm. It came from a guy doing some target shooting 5 miles away. I can understand why some ranges might not want the liability.

baboon · 06-02-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eightball

A few years ago a .50 BMG bullet went through the roof of a camper at a NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway and hit a woman in the arm. It came from a guy doing some target shooting 5 miles away. I can understand why some ranges might not want the liability.

Oh I get totally understand the capabilities of the .50 bmg. Old ma deuce is not without her problems. And as fatal as she is @ distances, she can be even a bigger bitch is she were to a have a catastrophic failure to the operator.

THE DUDE · 06-03-2018, 09:30 PM

had a chance to get a 1914 and a chauchat about the same time 7 years ago .

Would have been nice BUT .. Dinosaurs on life support.

I hate lugging a ton of shit to the range anymore. 2-3 guns max.

Typically. a pistol or two and my bar or other rifle. The days of taking a gun, belts, tripod, cans, tools and all other associated

are over for me.

05-30-2018, 05:59 PM	#1
4thIDvet slug Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Astor Florida Posts: 48,408	The Hotchkiss Model Of 1914 Heavy Machine Gun The most commonly issued machine gun to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was the gas-operated French Model of 1914 Hotchkiss in 8x50 mm R Lebel. The height of the “Omnibus” tripod (above) was one of the Doughboys’ few complaints. The other was weight—111 lbs. A century ago, American troops faced Germans in the trenches and fields of France. The United States had entered the war a year before, in April 1917, as a fresh-faced member of the Allied cause—full of energy but lacking many of the essential tools of war. Later in 1917, elements of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) arrived in France, but they did so without machine guns. https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...y-machine-gun/ __________________ God Bless Americas Veterans. All who are serving and have served.

05-30-2018, 07:19 PM	#4
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 66,460	It doesn't look that heavy - unless that's the weight with the tripod attached? Just a little sidetrack - I dreamed last night that I had to reassemble a Ma Deuce and couldn't find the recoil spring anywhere! I still remembered how to do it, though. __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

06-02-2018, 01:58 PM	#6
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 81,969	I've always wanted a Chauchat light machine gun. I know that they are considered by many to be the worst machine gun ever. But I'd like one for my collection. Most of the working ones I've seen sold for $5,000 to $7,000. No way am I paying that for one. I remember when I was young and didn't have much money they were selling in Shotgun News for $50.00. Oh, to have the foresight back then. __________________ .................................................. ....................................… *We have met the enemy, and he is us!*

06-03-2018, 09:30 PM	#13
THE DUDE Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Yo mama's troat Posts: 2,641	had a chance to get a 1914 and a chauchat about the same time 7 years ago . Would have been nice BUT .. Dinosaurs on life support. I hate lugging a ton of shit to the range anymore. 2-3 guns max. Typically. a pistol or two and my bar or other rifle. The days of taking a gun, belts, tripod, cans, tools and all other associated are over for me. __________________ I'll talk to you the way I want to talk to you, If you don't like it , change the station.

05-30-2018, 07:02 PM	#2
MrKalashnikov Deplorable Join Date: May 2008 Location: Behind The Iron Curtain Posts: 8,056	It was heavy but reliable, unlike many other firearms the froggies fielded during the Great War. The Japs basically copied the French design of the Hotchkiss for their Nambu series of MGs deployed during WWII, with great success.

05-30-2018, 07:07 PM	#3
baboon slug Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Out by the lake in central Texas Posts: 18,306	Never seen one that wasn't behind glass! I guess the guys that own them are up there in age & seldom shoot them. Parts might be a huge bitch.