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You are here: Home / Museum Exhibits / [FEATURED EXHIBIT] The Lewis Light Machine Gun of World War I

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] The Lewis Light Machine Gun of World War I

December 9, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum we have an exceptional example of a World War I Lewis light machine gun originally designed by an American, Isaac Newton Lewis, but rejected by US Ordinance. Lewis took his design to Belgium, where it was received with some enthusiasm. Prior to the fall of Belgium to the Germans Lewis fled to Britain, where the design was licensed to BSA. It became the standard light machine gun of the British Expeditionary Forces and was much loved by both British Tommies and the German forces who regularly turned captured Lewis Guns on their former owners.

This variant at the Varnum Armory was manufactured by Savage Arms in the United States as the Model 1917. In US service, they were primarily used for training. In fact, from the Second Division paper from 1919 we have a reference to the 6th Marines turning in their Lewis Guns when they arrived in France and being issued French Chachaut light machine guns for battle.

Feeding from a 47-round “pan” type drum magazine, the Lewis Gun had a unique cooling system. The large shroud over the barrel covers an aluminum radiator, a mass of fins that are designed to act as a heat sink, keeping the barrel cooler when firing. The muzzle is also recessed into the shroud and the shroud is open at the rear, near the receiver. It was intended that the gasses exiting the muzzle would draw cooler air in from the rear and cool the barrel and radiator. While somewhat effective, the added weight and manufacturing cost made the overall benefits less significant. The aircraft version, which was used throughout the war, dispensed with this feature and was very successful.

The Lewis Light Machine Gun was an enduring design and continued in military service, albeit in a limited manner until the late 1950s. The basic design of the Lewis Guns bolt and operating rod mechanism was used in the famous M-60 machine gun, the standard machine gun of US forces from 1957 to the early 2000s.

The Lewis Gun receiver from the right rear, showing the barrel cooling aluminum radiator, ejection port, and open barrel shroud.
The Lewis Gun receiver from the right rear, showing the barrel cooling aluminum radiator, ejection port, and open barrel shroud.
Magazine markings indicating that the magazine is for the .30 caliber US Lewis Gun.
Magazine markings indicating that the magazine is for the .30 caliber US Lewis Gun.
The recoil spring assembly (left) and just visible through the bottom of the receiver is the operating rod. The teeth of the recoil spring mechanism engage the bottom of the operating rod.
The recoil spring assembly (left) and just visible through the bottom of the receiver is the operating rod. The teeth of the recoil spring mechanism engage the bottom of the operating rod.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun
The Chauchat. A French automatic rifle that replaced the Lewis Gun in many American units when they arrived in France.
The Chauchat. A French automatic rifle that replaced the Lewis Gun in many American units when they arrived in France.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun bipod mount.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun bipod mount.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun
Lewis Gun receiver markings, right side.
Lewis Gun receiver markings, right side.
The muzzle end of the Lewis Gun, showing the design of the large chamber and the radiator surrounding the barrel, which is set about 5 inches back into the barrel shroud.
The muzzle end of the Lewis Gun, showing the design of the large chamber and the radiator surrounding the barrel, which is set about 5 inches back into the barrel shroud.
Receiver marking on the Savage Lewis Gun.
Receiver marking on the Savage Lewis Gun.
Partially disassembled Lewis Gun. The light machine gun was designed to be taken apart easily and without tools for cleaning and maintenance.
Partially disassembled Lewis Gun. The light machine gun was designed to be taken apart easily and without tools for cleaning and maintenance.
This houses the recoil spring, which is a wound, or clock type spring. The teeth engage the bottom of the operating rod.
This houses the recoil spring, which is a wound, or clock type spring. The teeth engage the bottom of the operating rod.
The Lewis Gun magazine as viewed from above.
The Lewis Gun magazine as viewed from above.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun
The bolt and operating rod for the Lewis Gun. Later, these were the models for the M-60 machine gun.
The bolt and operating rod for the Lewis Gun. Later, these were the models for the M-60 machine gun.
The buttstock of the Lewis Gun was designed with easy takedown in mind.
The buttstock of the Lewis Gun was designed with easy takedown in mind.
The French Chauchat with a partially disassembled Lewis Gun in the foreground.
The French Chauchat with a partially disassembled Lewis Gun in the foreground.
The rear sight of the American manufactured Lewis Gun.
The rear sight of the American manufactured Lewis Gun.
The post to which the magazine mounts to, with a magazine as a backdrop.
The post to which the magazine mounts to, with a magazine as a backdrop.
Radiator cooling fins at the rear of the barrel.
Radiator cooling fins at the rear of the barrel.
WW I Lewis Light Machine Gun
Dummy rounds used to demonstrate the loading of the magazine.
Dummy rounds used to demonstrate the loading of the magazine.
The Lewis Gun operating rod, recoil spring assembly and trigger group. Demonstrating the simplicity of the design.
The Lewis Gun operating rod, recoil spring assembly and trigger group. Demonstrating the simplicity of the design.
Lewis Gun (foreground) and the French Chauchat (rear)
Lewis Gun (foreground) and the French Chauchat (rear)

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Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: machine gun, varnum memorial armory, world war I

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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