Fusil Mitrailleur Modèle 1915 C.S.R.G. Light Machine Gun
The Fusil Mitrailleur Modèle C.S.R.G. (Chauchat, Sutter, Ribeyrolles, Gladiator) light machine gun was first issued to French infantry in June 1916, and it was to be replaced by the Browning Automatic Rifle towards the end of the First World War, because the outdated 8 × 50 mm R Lebel rimmed cartridge of the FM Chauchat proved unsuitable for machine guns. Initial plans to produce the BAR M.1918 under license were dropped in favour of a new French light machine gun design, which, after intensive testing, finally resulted in the adoption of the Châtellerault FM Modèle 1924/29 light machine gun in 1923.
Miniatures with FM Chauchat LMGs
- WW1 French Infantry, 1:72 Pegasus 7199
- French Infantry, 1915–1918, 1:72 Revell 02505
- WW1 French Infantry in Summer Dress, 1:72 Strelets M134
- WW1 French Infantry in Gas Masks, 1:72 Strelets M057
- WW1 Polish Infantry (Blue Army), 1:72 Strelets M130
- WW1 Italian Heavy Weapons, 1:72 HäT 8222
- WW1 Serbian Infantry in Winter Uniform, 1:72 Strelets M126
- WW1 US Infantry, 1:72 Emhar 7209
- WWI US Infantry, 1:72 HäT 8112
- WW1 US Infantry, 1:76 Airfix 01729
Technical Data
- Designation: Fusil Mitrailleur Modèle 1915 C.S.R.G.
- Type: Light Machine Gun (LMG)
- Developers: Colonel Louis Chauchat and Charles Sutter
- Manufacturer: Gladiator SIDARME
- Action: open bolt, long recoil-operated with gas assist
- Length: 1070 mm, or 1170 mm with Flash Hider
- Barrel Length: 450 mm
- Weight: 9,5 kg (with empty Magazine)
- Calibre: 8 mm
- Cartridge: 8 × 50 mm R Lebel
- Ammunition Feed: Curved Box Magazine for 20 Cartridges
- Effective Range: 200 m
- Maximum Range: 2000 m
- Operation: semi or full automatic
- Rate of Fire: 240 rounds per minute
- Muzzle Velocity: 630 m/s
- Production: 1915–1918
Historical Employment
- First World War, 1915–1918
- Russian Civil War, 1917–1923
- Polish-Soviet War, 1919–1921
- Greco-Turkish War, 1919–1922
- Rif War, 1921–1926
- Spanish Civil War, 1936–1939
- Second World War, 1939–1945
- Palestine War, 1947–1949
Light Machine Gun Team, French Army
- Fusilier-Mitrailleur – Gunner
- Pourvoyeur – Ammunition Carrier
- Pourvoyeur – Ammunition Carrier
The French light machine gun team initially consisted of only two men, the gunner and his ammunition carrier. However, in the first engagements on the upper reaches of the river Somme it became clear that these two men were so weighted down with ammunition that they could not keep up with the riflemen on their section. Accordingly, a second carrier was added to the LMG team. With the introduction of FM Chauchat light machine guns and Tromblon VB rifle grenade cup dischargers, the French Infantry Company adopted a new organization in July 1916.
Automatic Rifle Team, US Army
- Gunner: he should keep cool, conserve his supply of ammunition, and keep his eye on the objective at all times, in other words, to be master of the situation, in order to produce the greatest effect.
- First Carrier: carries the gunner‘s pouch, takes up his position at the right of the gunner, and watches the functioning of the gun, and aids the gunner to keep the rifle in action. He should be proficient in rapidly handing the full magazine to the gunner after he has taken the empty one from him. It is his duty to reload magazines from his ammunition supply.
- Second Carrier: takes up his position to the right of the first carrier and acts as a defense either with his rifle or his bayonet and protects the other two men during stoppages and changes of magazines. He keeps the first carrier supplied with full magazines and when a supply of loaded magazines have been exhausted he gives single rounds to the first carrier from his cartridge belt.
Bibliography
- Notes on Mechanism of the Chauchat Machine Rifle, Model 1915 (Machine Gun Instruction and Inspection Division, Ordnance Depot, 40th Division (February 1918)