Jump to content

Hotchkiss Portative


Recommended Posts

Here is the Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun Mark I, which was based on the French Hotchkiss Model 1909. It is not as well known as other British machine guns such as the Lewis or Vickers but it still was widely used, as the name implies, the British considered it more easy to carry and use than other models. ANZAC and British troops used them in the middle eastern theater from Beersheba to Gallipoli. The British also used these guns in aircraft and the Mk. V tanks. It comes with the short three-legged tripod, which if not placed right will tip the gun onto its side. The bolt handle was used to charge the weapon much like a rifle.

The gun itself weighed in at nearly 27 pounds (not so light) minus the tripod and was 48 inches long. It fired the standard .303 rifle cartridge and used cloth, rigid or semi-rigid belts. It was a gas operated, air cooled weapon that had a rate of fire between 400-600 rounds per minute. Over 40,000 were built for the British and Commonwealth forces during its service life. Versions of this gun were used by Russia and the USA as well.

This gun is all original, however the receiver has been torch cut and re-welded as well as other features to make it a display gun. 

IMG_3745.JPG

IMG_3742.JPG

IMG_3744.JPG

IMG_3738.JPG

IMG_3740.jpg

IMG_3749.JPG

IMG_3748.JPG

IMG_3741.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a carrying case for the feed strips for the Portative, the strips typically held 30 rounds. 

 

(source, internet)

Item2782.jpg

Item2782.3.jpg

Item2782.5.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is an example of the gun in the aircraft weapon role. Note the feed strip has the bullets facing downwards, that is the correct loading position. 

charge10.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is an example of the semi-rigid metal belts. These held around 3-7 rounds and were basically long strips cut short and linked together. These strips were carried in a metal tin that had 6 compartments. These are the types used in the Tanks, note the only real difference is the buttstock is removed.

post-8515-0-29078100-1309766853.jpg

Hotchkiss-MG.jpg

Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie machine gun  (6).jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...