Lmg 25
Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F Bern) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1925
Also known as: Furrer M25, FM25, W+F Lmg 25, Leichtes Maschinengewehr Modell 1925
Overview
The 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 Maxim-derived mechanism rotated 90 degrees and adapted to a shoulder-fired weapon. The detachable 30-round box magazine feeds from the right side of the receiver, with the 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
- Lmg 25 Festungs — Fortress
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1925
Conflicts
- World War II (Swiss neutrality) (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 24,787 · Production years: 1924-1946
23,045 standard infantry variants and 1,742 fortress models with optics
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Adolf Furrer
Discontinued: 1946
Notes
Adopted as the Swiss Army's standard squad automatic from 1925 until being superseded by the Stgw 57 from 1957 onward. Total production reached 23,045 standard models plus 1,742 fortress variants with optical sights.
Background
Adolf Furrer was obsessed with the toggle-lock mechanism of the Luger pistol and spent his career adapting it to ever-larger weapons - the Lmg 25 essentially shoulder-fires the action of a horizontally-rotated artillery piece, and its sky-high manufacturing cost is why no other nation ever bought one.