Darne Mle 1918
Darne · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1918
Also known as: Darne Modele 1918, Mitrailleuse Darne, Darne M1918
Overview
The Darne Mle 1918 is a French gas-operated, belt-fed machine gun designed by Regis Darne during the First World War. Built for extreme economy of manufacture using stamped and folded steel components, it employed an unusual two-stage belt feed positioned between the gas piston and barrel. Though too late for wartime service, it was adopted primarily as a high-rate-of-fire aircraft machine gun and saw use into the 1930s. Early guns were chambered in 8x50mmR Lebel before the type was rechambered for the 7.5mm French service cartridge.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 7800 g (275.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1112 mm (43.78") |
| Barrel Length | 600 mm (23.62") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 200 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 792 m/s (2598 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3136 J (2313 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1100 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x50mmR Lebel · primary — also known as 8mm Lebel, Cartouche Mle 1886, Balle D, Balle N, 8x51mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt, Ammunition Drum
- Features: Air Cooled, Belt Fed, Quick Change Barrel, Two Stage Feed
Service history
Operators
- French Armed Forces · adopted 1919 · as Mitrailleuse Darne
- Aeronautique Militaire · adopted 1922
- Spanish Armed Forces
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Production
Estimated total produced: 11,000 · Production years: 1915-1922
Approximately 11,000 units produced; later interwar Model 1933 was a further modular development of the design
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Regis Darne
Discontinued: 1935
Notes
Originally chambered in 8mm Lebel and .303 British, the Darne was later updated to the 7.5x54mm French cartridge. As an aircraft gun it favoured a very high cyclic rate (up to ~1,200 rpm) over weight or longevity. Replaced in French aviation service by the MAC 1934 from 1935.
Background
The Darne company was best known for its innovative break-action shotguns; it entered military production in 1915 manufacturing Lewis guns for France before Regis Darne designed his own radically cheap machine gun in 1917.