M1922 machine gun | |
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A Greek Hotchkiss M1922 chambered for 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer at the Israel Defense Forces History Museum | |
Type | Light machine gun |
Place of origin | France |
Service history | |
In service | 1922–1950s |
Wars | Rif War Constitutionalist Revolution Spanish Civil War Second Sino-Japanese War World War II Greco-Italian War First Indochina War |
Production history | |
Designer | Hotchkiss et Cie |
Manufacturer | Hotchkiss et Cie |
Specifications | |
Mass | 8.5 kg |
Length | 1216 mm |
Barrel length | 600 mm |
Cartridge | Several, including 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer, 7×57mm Mauser, 7.5×54mm French, .303 British, 7.92×57mm Mauser, 8×50mmR Lebel |
Action | Gas operated |
Rate of fire | 450 rounds/minute |
Feed system | 20 round overhead box magazine, 15-24-30 round feed strip |
Sights | Iron |
The Hotchkiss M1922 was a light machine gun manufactured by Hotchkiss.
It was never adopted in large numbers by the French Army; nevertheless, it was exported to many European and Latin American countries under the names Hotchkiss M1926 or Hotchkiss M1934.
The Fusil-Mitrailleur (FM) Model 1922 is a classic weapon with a fixed stock, pistol grip, and wooden handguard. It has a non-telescopic folding bipod. Both the cocking handle and ejection port is located on the right side. The FM's caliber varied with the user, being chambered in a wide range of calibres and fed from either 20-round overhead magazines or an extended feed strip (Greek model). Its maximum range is 2,000 meters, and it had a regulator mechanism that would allow the user to adjust the rate of fire.
The Hotchkiss M1922 was used with great success by the Greek Army during Greco-Italian War during the fight against the Royal Italian Army. It was also used by the Chinese Nationalist Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War to fight against the Japanese Imperial Army and was frequently used in the Spanish Civil War by the Nationalist and in small numbers, the Republicans.
There were several versions with different feed systems, calibers and improvements, among which were the Hotchkiss M1924 and M1926, the last of which spawned the Greek EYP Hotchkiss.
French infantry weapons of World War II (1939-1940) | |
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Sidearms | |
Rifles and carbines | |
Submachine guns | |
Machine guns and other larger weapons | |
Mortars | |
Grenades | |
Cartridges used by France during World War II |