Lewis Gun
Notes:
This was the first light machinegun used in large numbers in any war.
It was actually first patented by
a Belgian arms manufacturer, and designed by the Americans Samuel MacLean and
Isaac Lewis, but the British company of BSA was the first to mass produce it and
the British were the ones who made the Lewis Gun famous.
Six Lewis Guns could be made in the time it took to make one Vickers
machinegun, and the Lewis Gun was light enough to be carried and fired by one
man, even while running, allowing it to e used during advancing fire.
After the British began to use it, it sort of took off, and tens of
thousands were eventually manufactured.
The fame of the Lewis Gun was in it’s being the first light machinegun;
it was in fact a rather heavy weapon and the amount of ways in which it could
jam was astounding.
Most versions of
the Lewis Gun were essentially similar.
The Mark 1 was the original model, declared obsolete in 1946 (though none
had been seen for a while by that time).
The Mark 1* was supposedly a conversion of the Mark 1 to the Mark 4
pattern, but it was approved and declared obsolete on the same day (16 August
1946) and probably none were actually built or converted.
The Mark 2 has the cooling radiator removed, a 97-round magazine, and a
spade grip instead of a stock; it was designed for aircraft use and the magazine
will not fit ground Lewis Guns. The
Mark 2* is a Mark 2 modified to nearly double the rate of fire.
The Mark 3 is a Mark 2* which is of new manufacture instead of a
conversion. The Mark 4 is a Mark 3
with the same story as the Mark 1*.
The Lewis SS was made for the Royal Navy; it has a shorter stock and no
radiator. The Savage-Lewis was made
by the US company of Savage Arms Corporation; they were built specifically to
sell to the British Navy and Home Guard under the Lend-Lease program in World
War 2. It fires .30-06 Springfield
instead of .303 British, and has numerous markings to denote this to users.
In addition, the stock is skeletonized instead of wood.
The Type 92 is a version of the Lewis Gun used as an aircraft gun by the
Japanese in the 1920s and early 1930s; it is chambered for 7.7mm Arisaka instead
of .303 British. A ground version was not produced, but it is suitable for a
pintle mount.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Lewis Mk 1 |
.303 British |
11.8 kg |
47 Pan |
$2656 |
Lewis Mk 2/Mk 2*/Mk 3 |
.303 British |
10 kg |
97 Pan |
$2685 |
Lewis SS |
.303 British |
10.4 kg |
47 Pan |
$2651 |
Savage-Lewis |
.30-06 Springfield |
11.21 kg |
47 Pan |
$2839 |
Type 92 |
7.7mm Arisaka |
11.8 kg |
47 Pan, 97 Pan |
$2636 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Lewis Mk 1 |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
3 |
6 |
92 |
Lewis Mk 1 (Bipod) |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3 |
119 |
Lewis Mk 2 |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
2 |
183 |
Lewis Mk 2*/Mk 3 |
10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3 |
183 |
Lewis SS |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
3 |
7 |
91 |
Lewis SS (Bipod) |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3 |
119 |
Savage-Lewis |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
3 |
7 |
81 |
Savage-Lewis (Bipod) |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3 |
105 |
Type 92 |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3 |
117 |
Manroy L-7A2 GPMG
Notes: Sometimes
known as the “Jimpy” within the British armed forces, the L-7A2 is the British
variant of the Belgian MAG machinegun.
Though the operation and performance of the two weapons are almost
identical, the L-7A2 has so many modifications from the original MAG (primarily
due to changes made to suit local manufacturing and British military
requirements) that virtually no part of the L-7A2 and its variants are
interchangeable with the parts of the MAG.
Production of the L-7A2 was originally done by the Royal Small Arms
Factory, but is now done by Manroy.
The basic L-7A2
looks externally similar to the MAG, but there are noticeable differences;
internally, the parts also look virtually identical to those of the MAG, but a
trained eye can tell the difference.
The barrel, however, is 23.4 inches long, a full 4 inches longer than
that of the MAG, and is tipped with a different flash suppressor.
The L-7A2 can use the same tripod and pintle mounts as a MAG, but the
folding bipod is made of wide stamped steel and has different feet than that of
a MAG. The L-7A2 has a carrying
handle, but it is derived from that of their SLR battle rifle.
The gas cylinder is shaped differently, as is the plastic pistol grip and
polymer stock. Sights are
different, consisting of a simple protected front blade and rear adjustable
aperture, as well as a versatile mounting rail atop the receiver which can use
most NATO-compatible night vision devices.
Feed is from disintegrating link belts; the German 50-round
non-disintegrating link belts cannot be used with the L-7A2.
Cyclic rate of fire is slightly slower than that of the MAG, but still
variable through use of an adjustable gas block.
Most of the
L-7A2’s variants are for internal vehicle use, and are essentially L-7A2’s with
the changes necessary for such a role, such as a change to electrical triggers,
no stock, pistol grip, flash suppressor, etc.
The L-8A1 was designed specifically for use as a coaxial machinegun on
the Chieftain, and the L-8A2 is an improved version of the L-8A1.
The L-20A1 is mounted in gun pods for use on helicopters and light
aircraft, and the L-20A2 is an improved version.
The L-37A1 combines the features of the L-7A2 and L-8A2; it retains the
standard stock and pistol grip with trigger group, but has an additional ability
to be electrically fired, have the bipod and carrying handle removed, and
mounted in internal vehicle mounts.
It can be removed and used in the same manner as an L-7A2.
The L-37A2 is an improved model, designed specifically for coaxial use on
the Challenger 1. The L-43A1 is a
version similar to the L-8A1, and originally meant for use as a ranging
machinegun on the Scorpion reconnaissance vehicle armed with the 76mm gun.
It was later used as simply a coaxial machinegun on the Scorpion when
better sights were fitted, but is no longer used by the British Army.
The L-112A1 is essentially an L-7A2, but it is mounted on an antiaircraft
tripod or certain special antiaircraft mounts that Manroy offers.
It also has special antiaircraft sights instead of the standard L-7A2
sights, and deletes the bipod. For
the purposes of the Twilight 2000 v2.2
rules, all of these are identical to the L-7A2 (except that most of the variants
use the Tripod line exclusively, of course).
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
L-7A2 |
7.62mm NATO |
10.89 kg |
100 Belt, 200 Belt |
$3180 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
L-7A2 |
5/10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
3 |
6/13 |
78 |
L-7A2 (Bipod) |
5/10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
3/6 |
102 |
L-7A2 (Tripod) |
5/10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
8 |
1 |
1/3 |
157 |
Notes: Manroy
manufactures the standard M-2HB under license from FN/Browning; the standard
version which they manufacture is basically identical to the FN/Browning model.
However, their more popular version of the M-2HB is a model which uses a
quick-change barrel with fixed headspace and timing (often called simply the
M-2HB QCB or the Manroy M-2HB). The
tedious and time-consuming headspace and timing adjustments which normally must
be made any time a barrel is inserted or changed on the M-2HB is therefore not
necessary, and the M-2HB QCB’s barrel can therefore be changed in less than 10
seconds. The barrel is attached by
simply locking the charging handle to the rear, rotating the barrel (the barrel
designed for the QCB modification does not require as much rotation as a
standard M-2HB barrel), then you simply put the new barrel in, rotate it until
it stops, and release the charging handle.
If necessary, the M-2HB QCB can also use standard M-2HB barrels, as the
original threads are retained; however, use of the standard M-2HB barrel
requires that the QCB kit’s barrel locating stud be removed, and normal
headspace and timing adjustments must be made is a standard barrel is used.
The M-2HB QCB otherwise differs from the Browning M-2HB only in minor
details and a slight weight difference.
Several NATO countries are reportedly using the Manroy M-2HB QCB;
however, the US has been slow to jump on the QCB bandwagon, and has only earlier
this year (2006) decided to go with a General Dynamics QCB kit.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
M-2HB QCB |
.50 Browning Machinegun |
38.51 kg |
105 Belt |
$9739 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M-2HB QCB (With Tripod) |
5 |
9 |
2-2-3 |
11 |
1 |
3 |
383 |
Vickers
Notes:
This is an improvement of the earlier Maxim machinegun.
The main difference is that the mechanism is reversed, oriented upwards
instead of downwards, making it lighter and more compact.
It was adopted by the British in 1912, and remained in service until the
early 1960s when replaced by the L-7A1.
Despite having gone through many patterns and modifications, it was still
basically the same weapon after 50 years of service.
Smaller armies were known to have used it well into the 1980s.
The Mark 1 is
the original model, with a water jacket.
The Mark 1* is air-cooled, with cooling fins on the barrel and a
mechanism to allow the fitting of interrupter gears – it was intended for use on
World War 1 aircraft. The Mk 2 is
the same as the Mk 1*, but is further lightened and has a dual rate of fire (the
SU setting, for “Speed Up.”). The
Mark 2* is the same weapon, but has a right hand feed.
The Mark 3 is a Mark 2* with a long flash suppressor to protect the
cowling of the firing aircraft. The
Mark 4 is for armored vehicles; the 4A was originally made, but improvements
were quickly made resulting in the 4B.
They both were cooled by a water tank in the vehicle connected to the
barrel jacket. They were never used
in large numbers. The Mark 5 is a
Mark 3 with an easier to open receiver.
The Mark 6 is a 4B with a self-contained cooling jacket and provisions
for left or right hand feed. The
Mark 6* is a Mark 6 with an external cooling connection like the 4B.
The Mark 7 is a Mark 6 with a heavy barrel casing and a more efficient
cooling system. The M-1915 is a
version of the Mark 1 used by the US Army; it is chambered for .30-06
Springfield. The “Argentine
Vickers” was a Vickers made for Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina, firing 8mm
Mauser ammunition.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Mark 1s showed up again in
the Twilight War – first in several smaller South and Southeast Asian countries,
then in South America. A few
M-1915s were even seen to be used in Southern Mexico, and some Argentine Vickers
were even pulled out in South America.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Vickers Mk 1 |
.303 British |
18.1 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$2729 |
Vickers Mk 1* |
.303 British |
12.47 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$2742 |
Vickers Mk 2/Mk 2* |
.303 British |
10 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$3623 |
Vickers Mk 3 |
.303 British |
10.15 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$3638 |
Vickers Mks 4-7 |
.303 British |
18.1 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$2729 |
M-1915 |
.30-06 Springfield |
19.01 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$2911 |
Argentine Vickers |
8mm Mauser |
18.93 kg |
250 Cloth Belt |
$2895 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Vickers Mk 1 |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1 |
204 |
Vickers Mk 1* |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1 |
204 |
Vickers Mk 2/Mk 2* |
5/10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1/3 |
204 |
Vickers Mk 3 |
5/10 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1/3 |
204 |
Vickers Mks 4-7 |
5 |
4 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
** |
** |
204 |
M-1915 |
5 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1 |
182 |
Argentine Vickers |
5 |
5 |
2-3-Nil |
7 |
1 |
1 |
209 |
**These are
vehicle mounted weapons and have no recoil in that state.