Hotchkiss M1909 Machine Gun

[kanemono]

Here is an interesting weapon though never officially issued to American troops was used by American forces serving with both the British and French armies during WW1. The Hotchkiss M1909 (or Mle 1909), firing the 8 mm Lebel, was adopted by the French military in 1909. A variant to use the .303 round was produced in as the "Hotchkiss Mark I" and issued to cavalry regiments. The MkI* variant, with the wooden stock replaced with a pistol grip, was widely used in British tanks and aircraft during World War I. It was adopted by the United States in 1909 as the "Benét–Mercié Machine Rifle, Caliber .30 U. S. Model of 1909" firing the .30-06 cartridge. It was also used by other countries, including Belgium, Sweden and Mexico. France and Britain used the Hotchkiss M1909 through World War I and on into World War II. U.S. forces used the Benét–Mercié at the Battle of Columbus in 1916 (4 guns fired 20,000 rounds total in the engagement), in the subsequent Poncho Villa Expedition in Mexico of 1916–17 and in France. I bought the parts set from IMA since it seems to be the last of the machine gun parts sets being sold. I thought it would be an interesting challenge to make into a display gun. All of the internal parts are massive so I welded everything together and fabricated the feeding mechanism for the strip magazine. I found a company that supplies re-enactors with dummy machine gun belts, clips and this strip magazine. These strip magazines come in fifteen and thirty round capacity. The gun can also be fed with a belt made up of three round segments linked together. I also found this brass bound leather strip magazine holder. The receiver section of the dummy gun is about two inches shorter than the gun with the original receiver. This was a fun project.

 

 

 

[world war I nerd]

That's amazing. What a magnificent display piece,

 

I'm guessing its 1/1 scale?

[riflegreen297]

That is a fantastic piece.

[Doctorofwar]

Nice job turning a pile of parts into a good display gun. Definitely one of the lesser known machine guns from US History. Just curious, was the parts kit from IMA French?

[Dirt Detective]

Nice work..great display.

[kanemono]

This display gun was made from a parts set that I bought from IMA. It is a British .303 Hotchkiss machine gun. As you can see from the parts set I didn't have much to work with so it was a challenge to come up with something that was as close to the original as possible. I like the fact that the beautifully machined internal parts can be seen. I made all of the fabricated parts from heavy gauge nickel silver. The metal has the white color of steel but is much easier to bend, cut, braze and solder than steel. Here is a picture of the parts set. All of the parts were in beautiful condition no pitting or rust. I even was able to make the bolt function.

[kanemono]

Here are some photographs of the Hotchkiss in use by American troops. Also see the aircraft mount with a drum attached.

[kanemono]

next...

[kanemono]

Here is a detailed drawing of the Hotchkiss and a picture of Indian troops firing what looks to be the American version of the Hotchkiss.

[Mr.Jerry]

Awesome work!

 

I was volunteering at our local PBS antique appraisal fair a few years ago, and near the end of the day a guy brings in this big box with a USMC marked one serial number 00XX (less than 20) all beautiful and nice. But no paperwork. "what's it worth?" he asked..."10-20...years..." we said. We suggested he donate to the Harley Davidson museum in town. Never did hear what happened to it.

[AZPhil]

Beautiful firearm and an Awesome history lesson and period photographs to go with it.

Thank you!

 

Semper Fi

Phil

[Doctorofwar]

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I believe the FT-17 tank in the second to last pic is armed with a Mle 1914 Hochkiss however, not a Mle/M1909.

[kanemono]

Hi Doc,

I believe that you are correct the barrel is too long for M/1909. Thanks for the correction. Here is a M/1909 mounted in another tank and a US motorcycle with a mounted Hotchkiss.

[kanemono]

Another shot of the motorcycle, this time with the armor in place.

[johnsonlmg41]

This is a Hotchkiss we have with accessories including the strip loader/ resizer, flexible strips, etc. Strip fed guns are pretty interesting creatures!

 

Mr. Jerry, you might want to stop and take a look at some point in your travels?

[kanemono]

Very nice group! I love the accessories. If you want to add the brass bound leather box I bought it from SARCO for $20.00. I thought it was a great deal and it was in great condition.

[johnsonlmg41]

That pouch is really nice, unfortunately none of my strips will fit in it? The action photos you posted are excellent as well. I did see Sarco had stocks too, unfortunately they are stripped and finding the parts to finish is impossible.

[kanemono]

The leather box is for the 15 round strip. From what I understand the strips came in 15, 30 and the 3 round linked belt. Either way it is a very nice piece for $20.00.

[world war I nerd]

U.S. Sailors armed with the 1909 MG in Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1914.

[world war I nerd]

Close up of the 1909 MG's and their leather covers.

[kanemono]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Nice detail.

[conn]

kanemono

 

i picked up an ammo box a while back, as seen on #7, never knew what is was for,

 

thank you

semper fi

[kanemono]

This is one of the Hotchkiss ammo boxes that hold belts made of three round strips linked together. These boxes were used in tanks.

[Marcum]

How is it held together?