Machine Guns

For images of the machine guns listed here, click on the appropriate link.

Designation Calibre Length (calibres) Weight Rate of Fire (rpm) Used by the Royal Navy Used by the British Army

Notes

Hotchkiss 37mm Calibre Revolving Cannon 37mm (1.457") - - 70
(unaimed)
14
(aimed)
x -

Fired a 1 lb. explosive shell.

Vickers-Maxim Pom Pom 37mm (1.457") 30 410 lbs. - x x

Introduced into service 1900. Used similar ammunition to the Hotchkiss 37mm Calibre Revolving Cannon.

Gatling 1" Calibre Machine Gun 1" - - 500 x -

-

Gatling 0.45" Calibre Machine Gun 0.45" - - 600 x x

Introduced into service 1871.

2-barrelled Gardner Machine Gun 0.45" - - 240 x -

Introduced into service 1875.

2-barrelled Gardner Machine Gun 0.303" - - - - - -
5-barrelled Gardner Machine Gun 0.45" - 369 lbs. 600 x -

Introduce into service 1875.

10-Barrelled Nordenfelt Machine Gun 0.45" - - - x -

-

4-Barrelled Nordenfelt Machine Gun 1" - - 200 x -

Introduced into service 1880. Replaced the Gatling 0.45" Calibre Machine Gun and 5-barrelled Gardner Machine Gun.

5-Barrelled Nordenfelt Machine Gun 0.45" - - 600 x x

Introduced into service 1882.

Bira Machine Gun 0.45" - - - - -

Manufactured in Nepal. The Bira Machine Gun was designed by General Gahendra, and is similar to the 2-barrelled Gardner Machine Gun (they both have two barrels and similar breech mechanisms). The Bira Machine Gun has a horizontal drum magazine that can hold up to 120 rounds.

 10-Barrelled Bergen & Co Machine Gun 0.45" - - - - -

Manufactured in 1881 by Bergen & Co Gussstahl und Waffenfabrik (Witten). It appears to be very similar to the 10-Barrelled Nordenfelt Machine Gun.

Maxim 0.45" Calibre Machine Gun 0.45" - 60 lbs. 450
(unaimed)
70
(aimed)
x x

Introduced into service 1891.

Maxim 0.303" Calibre Machine Gun 0.303" - 40 lbs. 650 x x

Introduced into service 1891.

Key

cwt. = Hundredweight (112 lbs.)
f/s = feet per second
lbs. = pound
Mk. = Mark
pdr. = pounder
rpm = rounds per minute
ton = 20 cwt. or 2240 lbs.

For images of the machine guns listed here, click on the appropriate link.

© Robert George Cordery (2005)