Hotchkiss M1909 Benet-Mercie
Hotchkiss et Cie · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1909
Also known as: Benet-Mercie, Hotchkiss Portative, Hotchkiss Mle 1909, Hotchkiss Mark I
Overview
The Hotchkiss M1909, known in US service as the Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle and in Britain as the Hotchkiss Mark I, was an early light machine gun developed by Hotchkiss et Cie. Its locking mechanism was designed by Laurence Benet and Henri Mercie, building on Adolf Odkolek's patent. Gas-operated and air-cooled, it fed from rigid metallic feed strips and was produced in 8mm Lebel, .303 British and .30-06 Springfield. It saw wide use in cavalry, fortress, aircraft and early tank roles during and around World War I.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 12000 g (423.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1187 mm (46.73") |
| Barrel Length | 596 mm (23.46") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Full Auto Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Stripper Clip |
| Muzzle Velocity | 730 m/s (2395 fps) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3800 m (4156 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- 8x50mmR Lebel · primary — also known as 8mm Lebel, 8x50mmR
- .303 British — also known as 7.7x56mmR, .303
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as 7.62x63mm, .30-06
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: 30 Round Metallic Feed Strip
- Features: Air Cooled, Metallic Feed Strip, Bipod, Long Stroke Gas Piston
Variants
- Hotchkiss Mark I — British 303
- Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle M1909 — Us 30-06
Service history
Operators
- French Army · adopted 1909 · as Fusil-mitrailleur Hotchkiss Mle 1909
- United States Army · adopted 1909 · as Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle, Caliber .30, U.S. Model of 1909
- British Army · as Hotchkiss Mark I
Conflicts
- Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912)
- Pancho Villa Expedition (1916-1917)
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Production
Estimated total produced: 50,000 · Production years: 1909-1918
~40,000+ produced in Britain (Coventry, .303) and ~670-700 in the US (Springfield/Colt), plus French production; total likely well over 50,000 across all producers.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Laurence Benet and Henri Mercie
Discontinued: 1918
Notes
US troops nicknamed it the 'daylight gun' because broken pins were hard to replace in the dark and feed strips were easily inserted upside-down at night. Sources vary on barrel length (596-640 mm) and overstate muzzle velocity in places (8mm Lebel realistically ~730 m/s).
Background
At the 1916 Battle of Columbus four M1909s fired some 20,000 rounds against Pancho Villa's raiders; the 'daylight gun' reputation later led Major Julian Hatcher to conclude the reliability complaints stemmed largely from poor training rather than the design itself.