M1922 machine gun | |
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![]() A Greek Hotchkiss M1922 chambered for 6.5 Greek at the Israel Defense Forces History Museum | |
Type | Light machine gun |
Place of origin | France |
Service history | |
In service | 1922–1950s |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Designer | Hotchkiss et Cie |
Manufacturer | Hotchkiss et Cie |
Specifications | |
Mass | 8.5 kg (18.74 lb) |
Length | 1,216 mm (47.87 in) |
Barrel length | 600 mm (23.62 in) |
Cartridge | Several, including: [3] |
Action | Gas operated |
Rate of fire | 450 rounds/min |
Feed system |
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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 (Spanish model) or an 15-round feed strip [note 1] . 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. [4] 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. [5]
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. [6]