The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

MADSEN LIGHT MACHINE-GUN

The Madsen Light Machine-gun was a Danish light machine-gun produced from 1897 to 1955. It was the first practical light machine-gun, even though its mode of operation is theoretically impossible. The guns mechanism is a mechanised version of the Martini breech-block, and the cartridges travel in a curve during loading, which is theoretically impossible. It was adopted by the Danish marines during the 1890s and saw action with the Russians during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. The Madsen light machine-gun was produced in various calibres between 6 mm and 8 mm and took a 25, 30 or 40 round overhead box magazine. It had a cyclic rate of fire of 450 rounds per minute and an effective range of 800 meters.
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