MKE Madsen Light Machine Gun
Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1950
Also known as: MKE Madsen, Madsen LMG (Turkey)
Overview
The MKE Madsen is a Turkish-produced light machine gun built by Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu (MKE) under the licensed Danish Madsen design, chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser. The Madsen action is a distinctive long-recoil mechanism with a hinged, pivoting breechblock, a design dating to 1902 that was one of the first true light machine guns. Fed from a top-mounted curved box magazine and using a quick-change air-cooled barrel, the Turkish examples kept the Madsen in service well into the mid-20th century, when the design was adapted to the German 7.92x57mm cartridge widely used by Turkey.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 9050 g (319.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1143 mm (45.00") |
| Barrel Length | 585 mm (23.03") |
| Action Type | Long Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 870 m/s (2854 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3500 J (2581 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 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
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 8x57mm IS, 7.9mm Mauser
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Top Mounted Magazine, Hinged Breechblock, Quick Change Barrel, Air Cooled, Bipod, Carrying Handle
Service history
Operators
- Turkish Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1950s
Turkish MKE production and refurbishment of licensed Madsen guns; volumes not published
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Designer: Jens Schouboe
Notes
The Madsen design was produced in dozens of calibers and adopted by over 30 nations across its long service life; Turkey was among the operators, with MKE manufacturing and supporting examples in 7.92x57mm Mauser. Turkish-specific production figures and dimensions are not separately published, so specs reflect the standard 7.92x57mm Madsen pattern.
Background
The Madsen's quirky pivoting-breechblock action made it one of the very first practical light machine guns. Designed in 1902, it ultimately served in over 30 countries and dozens of calibers, with Turkey's MKE keeping the century-old design alive in 8mm Mauser.