Furrer LMG-25
Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F Bern) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1925
Also known as: Lmg 25, Furrer M25, FM25, W+F Lmg 25, Leichtes Maschinengewehr Modell 1925
Overview
The Furrer LMG-25 (Leichtes Maschinengewehr Modell 1925) is a Swiss light machine gun designed by Colonel Adolf Furrer and produced at Waffenfabrik Bern. Chambered in 7.5×55mm GP11, it uses a recoil-operated toggle-lock action - a Parabellum/Maxim-derived mechanism laid on its side and adapted to a shoulder-fired automatic weapon. The detachable 30-round box magazine feeds from the right side of the receiver, with spent cases ejected to the left.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8650 g (305.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1163 mm (45.79") |
| Barrel Length | 585 mm (23.03") |
| Action Type | Recoil Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 747 m/s (2451 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3151 J (2324 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 450 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.5x55mm Swiss · primary — also known as GP11, Gewehrpatrone 11, 7.5x55mm GP11
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Toggle Lock Action, Side Mounted Magazine, Bipod, Quick Change Barrel, Fortress Optic Mount Variant
Variants
- Furrer LMG-25 Festungs — Fortress
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1925 · as Lmg 25
Conflicts
- World War II (Swiss neutrality) (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 24,787 · Production years: 1924-1946
23,045 standard infantry variants plus 1,742 fortress models fitted with optical sights
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Adolf Furrer
Discontinued: 1946
Notes
Served as the Swiss Army's standard squad automatic from 1925 until being superseded by the Stgw 57 from 1957 onward. Manufacturing was extraordinarily precise and expensive, which is why no foreign army ever adopted it.
Background
Adolf Furrer was fixated on the toggle-lock mechanism of the Luger pistol and spent his career scaling it up to ever-larger weapons; the LMG-25 essentially shoulder-fires a horizontally-rotated Parabellum action, and its sky-high manufacturing cost meant Switzerland was the only nation ever to field it.