THE
MADSEN MACHINE
GUN
1. TRIALS AT BISLEY, ENGLAND
ON 6TH AUGUST, 1930
2. CONCLUSIONS
THE DANISH RECOIL RIFLE SYNDICATE
COPENHAGEN
TRIALS WITH THE
MADSEN MACHINE GUN
MODEL 1930
FIRING THE BRITISH .303 SERVICE CARTRIDGE
WITH LIGHT „ALFA" BARREL
Carried out at Bisley, 6th August 1930
GENERAL OFFICERS AND OFFICERS
OF THE ARMY
and
before Representatives of:
THE ADMIRALTY:
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL. ROYAL MARINES
THE DIRECTOR OF NAVAL ORDNANCE
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DESIGNS, WOOLWICH
THE PLAN’S DIVISION
THE DIRECTOR OF NAVAL RECRUITING
THE MACHINE GUN SCHOOL, ROYAL MARINES
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER, UNION OF
SOUTH AFRICA
By: Captain L. With-Seidelin
Director: Danish Recoil Rifle Syndicate
Firer standing.
Firer kneeling.
Firing from muzzle-rest and stock-rest.
Firing from tripod mounting.
Firer running forward carrying the gun on tripod.
TRIALS WITH THE
MADSEN MACHINE
GUN
MODEL 1930
FIRING THE BRITISH .303 SERVICE CARTRIDGE
Carried out at Bisley, 6th August, 1930.
The characteristics of the Gun and its mounting were explained
and demonstrated, whereafter the following tests were carried out with
the results stated:
FIRING GUN FROM MUZZLE
AND STOCK REST
TEST No. 1. VARIOUS MODES OF FIRE AND TESTS OF SAFETY
DEVICES.
The gun fired single shots and rapid fire in short bursts (5 to 6
rounds) and in full bursts (the 30 rounds in a magazine.) — 180
rounds. It was proved that:
1.	Whenever firing is interrupted the chamber is empty.
2.	When the magazine is shot empty and firing slops there is no
cartridge left in the hopper or anywhere else in the gun.
3.	The safety-catch, when turned to -Safe , prevents not only a shot
being fired if the trigger is pulled but also prevents a cartridge from
being inserted into the chamber where, otherwise, it might be fired
by the heat of the barrel.
These three features are improvements on older models.
5

No. 2: ACCURACY TEST:
180 rounds rapid fire al 100 yards.
RESULT: The grouping is shown on the allached photo. The zones
of dispersion are:
100	'7( of hits:	height:	17	inch.	width: 26	inch.
80	„	8	„	„	12
50	„	5	„6	„
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
No. 3: HORIZONTAL TRAVERSING:
180 rounds rapid fire, al 100 yards against a horizontal bell 12 feet wide.
RESULT: The distribution of hits is shown on the attached photo.
Within each section of 18 inches there are:
7	25	30	22	25	22	23	19	7
hits
The vertical dispersion is:
for 100 О of hits:	15 inches
„	80	„	10
„	50	.. „	4
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
No. 4: VERTICAL SEARCHING:
180 rounds rapid fire al 100 yards against a vertical belt 6 feel high.
RESULT: The distribution of hits is shown on the attached photo.
Within each section of 18 inches there are:
37
hits
45
51
38
Automatic, working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
7
Firing from tripod-mounting.
Accuracy at KM) yards.
Searching fire at 100 yards.
FIRING GUN FROM TRIPOD MOUNTING
No. 5: ACCURACY TEST:
180 rounds rapid fire at 100 yards.
RESULT: The grouping is shown on the attached photo. The zones
of dispersion are:
100 f/ of hits: height: 14 inch. width: 12 inch.
80	.. ..	„	6	„	7 „
50	„	3 „	„	3
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
No. 6: HORIZONTAL TRAVERSING:
180 rounds rapid fire at 100 yards against a horizontal bell 12 feet
wide.
RESULT: The distribution of hits is shown on the attached photo.
Within each section of 18 inches there are:
22	24	23	28	14	27	22	20
The vertical dispersion is:
for 100 of hits: 10 inches
80	„	(i	„
л oO /t „ ,9	2	,,
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
No. 7: VERTICAL SEARCHING:
180 rounds rapid fire al 100 yards against a vertical belt 6 feel high.
RESULT: The distribution of hits is shown on the attached photo.
Within each section of 18 inches there are:
45	hits
71	
56	
29	»
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
9
Firing from a trench, using periscopic mirrors. <
The Firer, remaining under cover, fires the gun by closing his
hand on a lever on the tripod connected by Bowden cable
to the special firing device on the gun.
No. 8: FIRING FROM A TRENCH:
180 rounds rapid fire, traversing over an embankment al 300 yards.
The Firer and Loader were crouching on the bottom of the trench,
keeping entirely under cover, the gun being fired by pressing a lever
on the tripod connected by Bowden cable to the special firing device
on the gun.
RESULT: Perfect.
No. 9: ENDURANCE TEST OF 10.050 ROUNDS:
Continuous rapid fire of 9,600 rounds with two barrels firing alter-
nately in 40 series of 240 rounds each (8 magazines) one barrel firing
while the other was cooled by plunging it into a ditch. No drying, no
cleaning, no oiling, no adjustment of any part and no cooling of the
mechanism. The accuracy of each barrel was tested before and after
the 9,600 rounds, 90 rounds rapid being fired in each lest at 100 yards
range.
RESULT: The automatic working of the gun and magazines was
perfect throughout the entire endurance lest: no jamming, no mal-
functioning, no breakage, no deterioration of any part.
Time for firing a series of rounds:
Minimum: 36 seconds
Average: 11	„
Maximum: 49	„
Rapidity of fire:
Maximum: 400 rounds per minute
Average: 316	„
Minimum: 291 „	„	„
Barrel changing:
Interval between the last shot fired with a barrel and the first shot
fired with the other barrel:
Minimum: 7 seconds
Average: 9	„
Maximum: 13	„
11
BARREL |
BARREL П
Xccuravy at 100 yard's range of the 2 barrels before and after 10.000 rounds of continuous
rapid tire at tbe average rate ot ‘MO rounds per minute.
TOTAL TIME FOR FIRING 9,600 ROUNDS
EXCLUSIVE OF INTERVALS:
27 Mins. 46 secs.
TOTAL TIME FOR FIRING 9,600 ROUNDS
INCLUSIVE OF INTERVALS:
34 Mins. 03 secs.
AVERAGE FIRE POWER FOR SUSTAINED FIRE
INCLUSIVE OF INTERVALS:
282 rounds per minute.
The accuracy of the two barrels remained intact in spile of this violent
sustained fire, as will be seen from the attached photos of groupings
before and after the lest. The zones of dispersion (in inches) were:
	100	/0	80	<>/ 0	50	о 0
BARREL NO. 1	vert.	horiz.	vert.	horiz.	vert.	horiz.
BEFORE the endurance lest.	15	9	7	5	4	2
AFTER the endurance test.	10	8	5	5	2	2
BARREL NO. 2 BEFORE the endurance lest.	12	12	6	7	2	4
AFTER the endurance test.	12	10	6	6	2	2
All shot-holes: round.
13
Firer running forward carrying the gun placed on tripod.
Firer adjusting the height of the tripod while lying prone behind the gun.
Immediately the firing ceased, after the gun had fired 9,960 rounds,
a COUNTER ATTACK was launched; the Firer leapt to his feet and ran
forward (some 60 yards) at top speed carrying single handed the gun
on its tripod-mounting and witli magazine fixed, the ammunition carriers
following. On a given signal the Team flung themselves on the ground,
the Firer swiftly brought the gun in position, adjusted it to the ground
ivhile lying prone behind the gun and opened fire within a few seconds
after the signal was given.
Total number of shots fired in this Test No. 9: 10.050 rounds. The lest
proved that the Madsen Machine Gun combines light weight and
handiness with great sustained fire power and w equally suitable for
attack and defence, for long continuous barrage fire and for rapid
advance. In other words, the Madsen is a STANDARD MACHINE GUN
that efficiently will do the work for which so far two types of weapons
have been necessary viz., the Heavy Machine Gun (Vickers) and the Light
Automatic Gun (Lewis).
The detailed results of the Endurance Test are given overleaf: —
15
DETAILED RESULTS OF ENDURANCE TEST No. 9
9,600 rounds continuous rapid fire with 2 barrels firing alternately.
Series No.	Barrel No.	Rounds fired	Time for firing 240 rounds	Intervals between last shot with one barrel and first shot with the other barrel	Malfunctions due to the	
			Seconds	Seconds	Gun	Magazines
1	I	240	48	12	0	0
2	11	240	43	10	0	0
3	1	240	42	8	0	0
4	11	240	41	10	0	0
5	I	240	40	9	0	0
6	II	240	43	9	0	0
7	1	240	44	10	0	0
8	11	240	44	11	0	0
9	I	240	40	11	0	0
10	II	240	41	11	0	0
11	1	240	42	13	0	0
12	11	240	41	10	0	0
13	I	240	49	10	0	0
14	11	240	42	10	0	0
15	I	240	43	11	0	0
16	11	240	42	8	0	0
17	1	240	41	11	0	0
18	II	240	40	9	0	0
19	I	240	39	9	0	0
20	II	240	40	10	0	0
21	1	240	41	10	0	0
22	II	240	41	10	0	0
23	I	240	41	10	0	0
24	II	240	40	11	0	0
25	I	240	41	9	0	0
26	II	240	41	10	0	0
27	I	240	42	8	0	0
28	II	240	41	8	0	0
29	I	240	39	10	0	0
30	11	240	45	9	0	0
31	I	240	45	10	0	0
32	и	240	40	10	0	0
33	1	240	46	9	0	0
34	11	240	42	10	0	0
35	I	240	42	8	0	0
36	II	240	40	10	0	0
37	I	240	39	7	0	0
38	II	240	41	9	0	0
39	1	240	36	8	0	0
40	II	240	38	9	0	0
Il will be noticed that the limes for firing each series of 2-10 rounds
and for barrel changing are even shorter towards the end of the lest
than in the beginning. This shows that the Firer and Loader did not gel
tired while serving the gun.
17
Hirer standing.
Firing the Gun unsupported.
Firer kneeling.
Г 1 к INC Z'iTH CUN AND TR|P D
Pl aCED 'n 1 R0N pL/i T e
I2C ROUND'S
Accuracy firing with the Gun on its Tripod placed on a smooth iron plate
where the ground-spikes find no support.
No. 10. FIRING GUN UNSUPPORTED.
The Gun on tripod-mounting opened fire, (30 rounds). It was then
assumed that the Firer became disabled and the tripod put out of
action by hostile fire. The enemy, close at hand, were supposed to take
advantage of this lull io rush the position. The Assistant swiftly re-
leased the gun from the ’’broken” tripod and, facing the assault,
fired the gun unsupported: 240 rounds rapid fire in the standing
position and 240 rounds rapid in the kneeling position.
RESULT: Perfect, the lest showing that the Madsen Gun can be used
efficiently in close quarters fighting. The gun was remarkably steady,
though unsupported, firing al a rate of about 250 rounds per minute.
Automatic working of gun and magazines: Perfect.
No. 11. STABILITY TEST.
The Gun on its tripod-mounting was placed on a smooth iron plate
lying on the ground the ground-spikes finding no support whatever.
This represented the case where the tripod stands on a rock or stone
slab, on a asphalted street or ship’s deck, etc. In these difficult con-
ditions an accurary test of- 120 rounds rapid fire was carried out at
100 yards range.
RESULT: Perfect. The tripod stood absolutely still and did neither
jump nor creep back. The grouping of the hits is shown on the at-
tached photo which, when compared to the photo from Test No. 5
shows that the accurary of the Madsen Gun, with tripod standing on
an iron plate, is quite as good as when the tripod stands on a grass
field with its groundspikes sunk well into the ground.
The zones of dispersion in the present test No. 11 are as follows:—
100 of hits: height: 12 inch. width: 10 inch.
80 G	..	„	„	5	„5	..
50 ' ;	„	.,	„	2	„	„2	„
This test proves the extraordinary efficiency of the new type of
tripod-mounting, with gun sliding, invented and patented by the
Madsen Company.
No-12. RUST TEST.
A Madsen Gun which a month past had been soaked in an acid solu-
tion and left to rust and which was now covered with a thick layer
of rust everywhere, inside as well as outside, the entire mechanism
as well as barrel, casing, etc., fired (120 rounds rapid) without any
trace of oil or greace, the mechanism being perfectly dry.
RESULT: Perfect, the gun worked as correctly as if it had been clean
and oiled. The lest proves that the Madsen is absolutely immune to
19
rust and requires no cleaning nor oiling. The rusting was so exag-
gerated that at this test the gun stood a harder strain than it will
probably ever have to bear in actual warfare.
No. 13. DUST TEST.
The Gun and magazine was subjected to a heavy dust storm before
and during firing, dust in the form of dry powdered cement being
shaken from a sack all over the gun. — 12(1 rounds rapid.
RESULT: Perfect.
Xo. 11. BOMBARDMENT TEST.
The Gun was thrown up in the air. letting it fall on a soil of loose
earth and sand. Stones, earth and sand were then heaped violently
upon the gun. as during a bombardment, until the weapon was
entirely buried under a heavy layer of soil. Thereafter the gun was
unburied and fire opened immediately without cleaning the gun it
being only shaken and a few rapid movements made with the cocking
handle thus freeing the mechanism from earth and sand. — 120
rounds.
RESULT: Perfect: the gun fired correctly even under these severe
conditions which proves that the Madsen is a war weapon in the
fullest sense.
No. 15. SEA WA TER TEST.
The Gun was entirely submerged for some lime in salt water (sea
water) that penetrated everywhere. On being taken out it fired imme-
diately, correctly, without any drying, cleaning or oiling: the mecha-
nism still dripping with water. — 120 rounds.
RESULT: Perfect. This test is of particular importance for the Royal
Navy and for the Royal Marines one of whose principal functions is
to effect landings often on an open beach where their machine-
guns may become submerged in sea-water immediately before fire
is opened.
No. 16. LIQUID MUD TEST.
The Gun and some magazines were entirely submerged lor some
lime in a mixture of earth and water making a liquid mud. On being
taken out the gun fired immediately, correctly, without any drying,
cleaning or oiling, the mechanism still dripping with mud and waler
— 120 rounds.
20
RESULT: Perfect, this lest being of great importance as machine
guns will often have to stand such treatment under Service conditions.
The test also proves that the barrel of the Madsen gun can be swiftly
cooled without being removed by plunging the entire gun into the
muddy waler found on the battlefield.
No. 17. ROUGH HANDLING TEST.
The Gun was dropped on the ground from a height of 15 feel, it
was walked upon and kicked. The magazines, filled with cartridges
were flung up in the air some 20 feel, falling on the ground and were
likewise walked upon, kicked, etc. The gun then fired these same
magazines (120 rounds) working without a fault.
RESULT: Perfect, demonstrating the extraordinary strength and
robustness of the Madsen materiel.
No. 18. FIRING WITH MAGAZINE HORIZONTAL.
The Gun was turned sideways so that the magazine became horizontal
and the gun fired, — 120 rounds.
RESULT: Perfect. This proves that if exceptionally there is reason to
fear that the vertical magazine should betray the position, the gun
can be fired correctly with. magazine horizontal and invisible.
No. 19. SERIES OF 600 ROUNDS.
Finally a series of 600 rounds rapid was fired with one barrel in
1 min. 36 seconds, that is, al the rate of 375 rounds per minute.
RESULT: Perfect. The test proves that if necessary the Madsen Gun
can fire in long series, without interruption (probably up till 800 or
900 rounds). The shorter series are preferred only because over-
heating of the barrel is thereby avoided and the life of the barrel
prolonged.
This ended the trials during which a total of 13.560 rounds had been
fired without a fault, frequently under the severest conditions. There
was no sign of wear and tear on any part of the mechanism.
LONG RANGE FIRING:
The attached Appendix shows the results of long range firing with
the Madsen Machine Gun of the British Model 1929 firing the British
.303 Service Cartridge. Representatives of the Admiralty and War Office
were invited Io delegate representatives to attend these trials which
look place on the Danish island Fane in I he North Sea in April 1929,
but were unable to do so.
21
ACCURACY FIRING WITH THE MADSEN
MACHINE GUN
British model 1929, firing the British .303 inch Service Cartridge,
with light tripod-mounting, carried out in April 1929 by The Danish
Recoil Rifle Syndicate on the island of Fane. in Denmark, on a beach
of hard flat smooth sands where the shot-holes remain clearly visible.
Madsen Gun, Model GAMMA with short, 19 inch, barrel						Madsen Gun, Model ETA with long, 23 inch, barrel				
Range	Angle of elevation in degrees			Side dispersion of 100"о	Depth dispersion of 80%	Angle of elevation in degrees			Side dispersion of 100%	Depth dispersion of 80%
Yards	о	•		Yards	Yards	о	•		Yards	Yards
100	0	02	05		115	0	01	20		251
200	0	04	57		94	0	03	27		192
300	0	08	37		83	0	06	20		152
400	0	13	05		77	0	10	00		126
500	0	18	21	1.0	71	0	14	26	1.3	109
600	0	24	25		67	0	19	39		96
700	0	31	17		63	0	25	38		86
800	0	38	58		60	0	32	24		78
900	0	47	29		56	0	39	56		71
1000	0	56	58	2.3	53	0	48	16	3.0	66
1100	1	07	34		50	0	57	29		62
1200	1	19	28		47	1	07	45		58
1300	1	32	52		45	1	19	19		54
1400	1	47	57		44	1	32	27		51
1500	2	04	54	3.7	43	1	47	24	4.8	49
1600	2	23	55		42	2	04	26		48
1700	2	45	12		42	2	23	48		47
1800	3	08	57		41	2	45	46		47
1900	3	35	22		41	3	10	35		47
2000	4	04	39	5.3	42	3	38	31	6.0	48
2100	4	37	00		43	4	09	51		50
2200	5	12	37		45	4	44	52		52
2300	5	51	52		47	5	23	51		55
2400	6	34			50	5	57			58
2500	7	21		7.0	54	6	42		9.5	62
2600	8	12			57	7	53			66
2700	9	07			61	8	30			71
2800	10	08			66	9	30			77
2900	11	14			71	10	36			83
3000	12	27		9.1	77	11	51		12.9	89
3100	13	48			83	13	12			96
3200	15	16			90	14	54			104
3300	17	04			97	16	48			112
3400	19	13			106	19	24			120
3500	21	52		11.9	117	22	30		17.5	129
22
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
TESTING:
The Madsen Machine Gun, British model firing the .303 inch Service
cartridge has been submitted to a series of exhaustive trials in England
in 1929 and 1930 in the presence of numerous Military Authorities from
the I’niled Kingdom, India, Canada. Australia, New Zealand and South
Africa. Representatives of the Admirably and Royal Marines attended
the trials on ttlh August and 21st October 1930.
The number of rounds fired on the various occasions are as follows: —
1.	Al Enfield. July and August, 1929........................ 10,850	rounds
2.	..	Hylhe.	August, 1929................................. 1.000
3.	.,	Bislev,	22nd July, 1930............................ 13.120
I.	..	Bisley.	23rd July, 1930............................. 13,000
5.	.,	Bisley,	6lh August, 1930 ......................... 13.5(i0
6. ., Bulford. 21sl October. 1930............................ 8,430
Total.... 93,260 rounds
The trials No. I and 2 comprising 44,850 rounds were carried out
with one Madsen Gun Model GAMMA, weighing 18‘< lbs. The trials
No. 3. I. 5. 6 comprising 48.410 rounds were carried oulh with one
Madsen Gun Model ALEA weighing 16'a lbs. The GAMMA is provided
with a heavier barrel and recoil increaser, otherwise the two models
are identical.
The present report refers more particularly to the trial carried out
at Bisley on August the 6lh, 1930. The other trials followed almost
identical programmes and gave, practically speaking, the same results.
One every occasion the Madsen Gun was tested under all the varied
conditions which may arise in actual warfare but each lest was made
so severe that the gun had to bear strains even harder than those
likely to occur under Service conditions; yet the Madsen Gun withstood
every lest perfectly, not a single fault ocurring. The trials therefore leave
no doubt as to the efficiency of the Madsen Gun as a war-weapon.
MANUFACTURE:
The Danish Recoil Rifle Syndicate of Copenhagen, who are the Inven-
tors, Owners and Manufacturers of the Madsen Machine Gun, have
organised the industrial mass-production of these guns and, after 20
years of gradual improvement, perfected the operation drawings, gigs,
fixtures, tools and gauges as well as the heat-treatment and other manu-
facturing processes. Thex offer that when orders are given it may be
stipulated in the contract that any gun may be picked out al hazard
from each delivery lot and submitted to the same tests as on 6th August.
1930, and that the whole lol may be refused if lhe gun so tested does
not prove to be equally perfect.
24
Complete interchangeability of all component parts is also guaranteed.
1 he Danish Recoil Rifle Syndicate are prepared to undertake as a con-
tract obligation that guns may be assembled from components chosen al
hazard from other guns and will fire correctly without any adjustment
whatever. Il is obvious that with such guarantees all Madsens Guns that
may be acquired will be identical with the specimen previously tested.
After supplying a certain number of Madsen Guns from their own
lactory, the Danish Recoil Rifle Syndicale are prepared to enter into an
Agreement with His Britannic Majesty’s Government for the transfer of
their manufacturing organisation (operation drawings, gigs, fixtures,
tools, gauges, etc.) to the Royal Small Arms Factory al Enfield, where
all the required machines are already present, and to the Rifle Faclorv
in India for the production of Madsen Guns. These are manufactured
on an ordinary Rifle Plant.
FIRE POWER.
The automatic speed is 10 shots per second. The magazine holds 30
rounds and it lakes about one second and a half to replace an emptied
magazine. For long continuous firing the actual rate of fire is, as proved
by the lest of 9600 rounds al Bisley, 6th August, 1930:
Maximum: 100 rounds per minute
Average: 346
Minimum: 291 • .,	„	.,
The gun can, of course, fire slower, and also fire single shots, al the
will of the Firer.
WEIGHT.
The Madsen Machine. Gun model ALFA 1930 weighs 164> lbs. while
the weights of the present Service Guns are: LEWIS: 26 lbs. VICKERS:
32 lbs. I I ozs., the muzzle attachment being included for all three guns
hut not the mountings. The weights of the MADSEN and VICKERS
Machine Guns, when mounted on their respective tripods and ready
[or sustained [ire, compare as follows: —
MADSEN VICKERS
Gun complete with muzzle attachment............... 16.6	lbs.	32.9	lbs.
Tripod mounting .................................. 28.0	,.	oti.O	..
Spare barrel with breech........................... 5.4	,.	—	..
Cooling waler in jacket.............................. —	..	10.0	..
Condenser and lube................................... —	,.	6.0	..
TOTAL WEIGHT.... 50.0 lbs. 104.9 lbs.
If. therefore, the MADSEN is used as a Light Automatic Gun (firing
from a light muzzle-rest) in place of the LEWIS there is a saving in
weight of 37 per cent. And if the Madsen is used as a tripod-mounted
Machine-Gun in place of the VICKERS there is a saving in weight of
51 per cent.
25
Madsen Machine Gun used in close quarters fighting.
Madsen Machine Gun used as a Light Automatic Gun
firing from muzzle rest and stock rest.
Madsen Machine Gun used in place of a Heavy Machine Gun
firing from tripod-mounting.
Firer running forward carrying the Gun on tripod.
Anti aircraft from the same tripod.
attack, in successive rushes. The spare barrel (5.4 lbs.) is carried by
another man.
FIRING DEVICE.
With ah other machine guns known so far, the firer must press the
trigger by hand, lean his shoulder against the slock or in some other
way hold on to the gun during firing. The firer's body, therefore, vi-
brates with the vibrations of the gun and this is extremely tiring, almost
nerve-racking in the case of continuous fire of long duration. But with
the Madsen Gun fired from its tripod mounting, all this inconvenience
is obviated, thanks to a simple and efficient device (patented by the
Madsen Company) used in connection with a Bowden-cable. With this
gun the firer is lying or silling at ease behind the gun, removed from it.
though sighting it. and fires simply by dosing his hand on a lever con-
nected with the tripod-mounting. In this way he can fire the gun without
fatigue and he can remain entirely under cover, using a trench periscope
for aiming.
ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRING.
The Madsen Tripod can be instantly converted into an anti-aircraft
mounting, allowing an all-round traverse, and as (he gun is magazine-
led and not belt-fed it has the advantage of firing equally well under
high angles against aerial targets and against ground targets. There is
a special anti-aircraft sight easily pul on the gun.
When fighting in cornfields or other high vegetation, the tripod can
be used against ground targets in a similar way as for anti-aircraft
firing.
AUTOMATIC WORKING:
The mechanism of the Madsen Gun is of simple design, strong and
mechanically sound, its automatic working is perfect; during the 18,110
rounds fired al the trials in England in 1930 not a single case of break-
ages. jamming or malfunction occurred, not only when the Gun was
in the normal slate but also (without!) cleaning or oiling) after the gun
had been submerged in sea-waler or liquid mud or when it was sub-
milled to a heavy dust storm. The Madsen even worked correctly, with-
out cleaning or oiling, immediately after it had been buried, under a
heavy layer of loose earth, sand and stones heaped violently upon the
gun. Its automatic working was likewise faultless when every spot of
the mechanism, and indeed the entire gun, was covered with a thick
layer of rust, well penetrated into the surface of the steel, and even in
this stale there was no oil or grease, the mechanism being perfectly dry.
In each case the gun and magazines were submitted to strains even
harder than those occurring on the battlefield. There were no signs of
wear and tear, apart from the wear on the barrels. The Madsen Gun can
therefore lie slated to be a reliable war-weapon under the severest
Service conditions.
29
Madsen Machine Gun on tripod-mounting
in position on a „lip".
Madsen Machine Gun on tripod-mounting
in position on a „lip" (near view).
HEATING AND FOULING.
The Madsen Gun is recoil-operated which has the advantage that
the mechanism is neither healed nor fouled as it is in gas-operated guns.
The breech mechanism, although attached to the barrel, remains cold
even if the barrel is red-hot after firing. This feature was demonstrated
in a striking way: a person gripping the breech firmly with naked
hand lit a cigarette by the hot barrel screwed lightly on to the breech.
During every trial continuous rapid fire of about 10,000 rounds was
carried out without any heating or fouling of the mechanism, the latter
never being cooled, cleaned or oiled.
Wherever powder-gases penetrate they leave a stone-hard deposit
of powder-residue sticking hard to the metal with which they gel into
contact and this inconvenience is particularly pronounced with the
British Cordite Powder.
In gas-operated guns the powder gases are conducted through a hole,
bored in the barrel, into a gas-chamber and gas-cylinder to act as
driving-power for the mechanism. In gas-guns, therefore, heavy fouling
occurs in these narrow, intricate passages causing malfunctions and
stopping the automatic working altogether after a few minutes of con-
tinuous rapid filing. To remove the fouling from gas-guns is a lengthy
and difficult operation that can hardly be carried out in the firing-line;
it requires dismantling and cooling of the gun; a set of special tools
must be used, a number of small component parts must be removed
and are likely to he lost. Owing to the fouling and healing of their
mechanisms gas-operated-guns cannot keep up continuous fire at the
normal rapid rate for more than 5 or 6 minutes after which they fall
out of action for about '>0 minutes while the mechanism is cooled and
fouling removed. Then, after another 5 minutes' firing they are again out
of action for 20 minutes and so on. Gas-operated guns cannot keep up
continuous rapid fire (barrage fire etc.) and therefore cannot replace
Пеану Machine Guns.
In the recoil-operated Madsen Gun all powder gases escape hy the
muzzle of the barrel and the mechanism, therefore, never gels fouled
nor heated. The Madsen Gun. therefore, is capable of keepirig up con-
tinuous rapid fire of long duration thus currying out the functions for
which, so far. Пеану Machine Guns have been needed.
The Alfa model has no recoil-increaser, a plain slightly conical lube
being used as flash-absorber. In this a stone-hard ring of powder-
residue is formed about 2 inches in front of the barrel, but it has no ill-
effect on the working of the gun and need not be removed until after
some 20,000 rounds.
The Gamma model is provided with a combined flash-absorber and
recoil-increaser from which the hard ring of powder-residue should
be removed after about 5.000 rounds of continuous rapid fire. Owing
to the large diameter and conical shape of the flash-absorber of both
models, it is very easy to remove the fouling and only requires a few
seconds.
31
Barrel-mounting. Gun on tripod-mounting.
COOLING.
In the Madsen Gun only the barrel itself gels healed during firing.
Il is swiftly removed and cooled by thrusting il into a ditch or pool of
rain waler, the cold breech serving as a convenient handle. Muddy
water in the barrel or in the mechanism has no ill-effect because the
gun is recoil-operated. The barrel can also be cooled quickly by means
of a small waterbag carried on the bell. If no water is available the
barrel is cooled by exposure to the air, but this naturally lakes longer
time than water-cooling. On dry, waterless ground 1 barrels may be
used firing alternately. In any case, the Madsen offers the advantage
that the breech-barrel can be instantly removed from the gun and
therefore be cooled much quicker (whether by water or by air) than if
it had to remain in the gun.
Il should be distinctly understood, therefore, that the Madsen Gun
can quite well be used with one barrel only, and even then offers con-
siderable advantage over other guns from which the barrel cannot be
so swiftly removed and reinserted.
BARREL CHANGING.
But the Madsen Gun has the additional important advantage that its
special design renders swift barrel-changing possible. The gun, there-
fore, can use two or more barrels firing alternately, one barrel being
cooled while lhe other is firing.
The barrel-changing is carried out in lhe following conditions:
1.	By the firer alone, without assistance, lhe firer lying prone, without
removing himself or removing lhe gun from the firing position.
2.	With bare hands (without asbestos gloves or the like).
3.	Without using any tool.
4.	Without removing any boll or other component from the gun.
5.	So swiftly that there is only 9 seconds’ interval between lhe last
shot from the first barrel and the first shot with the second barrel.
The entire operation is so simple that barrel-changing can be carried
out easily in lhe firing line, even under hostile fire. It is almost as
simple as drawing a bayonet and replacing it in the scabbard, and a
minimum of training is required. The sand, earth, water and mud tests
carried out have proved that there is no difficulty in these respects as
regards barrel-changing.
It hardly takes any longer Io change the barrels of the Madsen Gun
than to insert a new cartridge belt into the Vickers Gun, which must
be done after each series of 250 rounds.
LENGTH OF SERIES.
Al Bisley. on <»th August 1930, lhe Madsen fired, without interruption.
600 rounds in one series with one ALFA barrel, at lhe rate of 375 rounds
per minute. Al Bulford on 21sl October, il fired similary 750 rounds in
one series. In case of emergency series of 900 rounds can be fired
33
without interruption or cooling (1,000 rounds with GAMMA model).
Normally, series of 210 or 300 rounds are preferred because over-
heating of barrels is thereby avoided, accuracy preserved and the life
of each barrel prolonged to its maximum. Hiring in these shorter series
is rendered possible without tactical inconvenience because barrel-
changing is carried out so swiftly that there is only 9 seconds’ interval
between the series. With the Vickers Gun there is a similar interval
after each bell of 250 rounds and one min. interval after each group of
500 rounds to refill the jacket when the cooling-water boils.
SUSTAINED RAPID HIRE.
In these conditions the Madsen Gun is capable of keeping up conti-
nuous rapid fire at the rale of about 350 rounds per minute. Two barrels
are used firing alternately, one barrel firing while the other is cooled.
During the trials in England in 1929 and 1930 six Endurance Tests were
carried out, each lest comprising about 10,000 or 12,000 rounds of conti-
nuous rapid fire. The Endurance Test at Bislev on 6th August 1930 may
be quoted as an example. On this occasion the Madsen Gun fired:—
9,600 rounds in 27 min. 16 seconds, exclusive of intervals, or
9,600 rounds in 31 min. 03 seconds, inclusive of intervals.
The actual rate of fire was:—
Maximum: 100 rounds per minute
Average: 316 „	„ „
Minimum: 291 „	„ „
The Gun can, of course, fire slower, and also fire Single Shots al the
will of the firer.
The intervals for barrel-changing between the series of 240 rounds
were:—
Minimum: 7 seconds
Average: 9	„
Maximum: 13	„
If all the intervals arc included the average output of the Madsen Gun
was: 282 rounds per minute [or long sustained [ire, which proves that
the fire-power of the light Madsen Gun is as great as that of a most
elficient Heavy Machine Gun. The automatic working was perfect. The
mechanism was never cooled, cleaned, oiled or readjusted. Sustained
rapid fire can be continued until the 2 barrels are worn out. which will
occur after about 30,000 rounds with the light ALFA model, that is:
alter firing continuously al this rapid rale for 1 hour 16 minutes. With
the GAMMA model the 2 barrels will resist about 10,000 rounds cor-
responding to 2 hours 22 mins, firing al maximum speed.
Worn-out barrels are quickly replaced.
STANDARD MACHINE GUN.
As proved by these trials the Madsen Gun combines sustained [ire
power with light weight, great accuracy, reliable automatic working,
strength ami resistance l<> rough handling. The Madsen Gun is therefore
34
a STANDARD MACHINE GUN which, with superior efficiency, will
replace all Heavy Machine Guns and Light Automatic Guns such as the
Vickers and lhe Lewis. The advantages are striking: One and the same
machine gun for Infantry, Cavalry, Tanks, Field Artillery and Engineers.
One gun serviceable for all purposes, in attack as well as defence, for
close quarters fighting as well as for long range accuracy fire, for
sustained barrage fire, anti-aircraft fire and for any other task.
The use of a Standard Machine Gun simplifies military and manufac-
turing organisation, training of troops and skilled labour; it facilitates
supply and upkeep of armament and simplifies tactical handling of
troops in the field. When armed with Madsen Guns each Infantry Bat-
talion would be composed of 4 Uniform Companies, equally mobile,
with equal fire-power, equally fit for attack and defence. Likewise.
Cavalry Regiments armed with Madsen Guns would comprise uniform
Squadrons combining great fire power for dismounted action and un-
hampered mobility when mounted.
The old system of having two different machine guns within each
Unit might have been justified in the past because the Heavy Machine
Gun, although capable of sustained rapid fire was lacking in mobility
while the Light Gun was lacking in fire-power. But in the Madsen Gun
mobility and fire-power are combined: It is more powerful than any
Heavy Machine Gun while lighter in weight than any existing Light
Automatic Gun.
SAFETY:
The safety devices are fully efficient. The previous objection to a
live round being left in the chamber, if firing is interrupted before
lhe magazine is shot empty, is overcome in the present model with its
new simplified trigger mechanism. When a magazine is emptied there
is no cartridge left in lhe hopper or elsewhere in lhe gun. The safety
catch when turned lo -Safe» not only prevents a shol being fired, hut
also prevents a cartridge being inserted into lhe chamber where other-
wise it might be fired by lhe heat of the barrel.
FLASH-ABSORBER:
The flash-absorber is efficient and of simple design. It consists of a
plain, short, slightly conical tube screwed on to lhe muzzle of the barrel
cover. It can be easily removed and cleaned.
MAGAZINE:
The gun is magazine-fed. The magazine holds 30 rounds. It is made
of steel sheet, is light, simple and strong, withstanding extremely rough
handling lo which il was submitted during the tests, its working remains
perfect. Its advantages over the Lewis magazine are striking; in the
latter the slightest dent, produced by rough handling, causes jammings
of lhe gun. While lhe Lewis magazine forms part of the feed-mechanism
the Madsen Magazine is simply a cartridge box that has no relation
lo lhe mechanism of the gun. Il is easily filled by hand. To remove
an emptied magazine and fix a full one is simple and takes one or two
seconds, so that it is idle lo talk about loss of lime for this purpose,
lhe gun can fire up to 400 rounds per minute, including magazine
changing, as proved during the tests; that is quick enough. The firer can
change magazines when lying prone in the firing position behind the
gun so that il can be served entirely by one man. Normally, magazines
are changed by a second man, the loader, and accordingly the firer need
35
The overhead magazine is covered by the firers head and helmet.
not remove his eyes from the target. If the firer himself has to insert
every new cartridge bell into a Vickers Gun he must also look away
from the target while so doing. Magazine-feed, as in the Madsen Gun,
holds many advantages over bell-feed, as in the Vickers:
1.	A magazine-fed gun can fire against aerial targets at high angles,
which a belt-fed gun cannot do unless it is provided with an ex-
tremely heavy elaborate mounting that cannot be carried in the
field.
2.	A bell-fed gun with its ammunition box is anchored to the ground
and cannot swiftly be rushed forward or turned round as a maga-
zine-fed gun.
3.	The Madsen magazines enclose and protect the cartridges entirely,
keeping them clean. In belts the cartridges are exposed to mud and
sand, dust and earth. This is the cause of many jammings.
4.	In bells the cartridges may gel removed from their proper place
and this causes jammings. In magazines this cannot occur.
5.	Bells gel out of order in the course of time and then cannot hold
the cartridges properly.
6.	The magazine-fed Madsen Gun can be used in close quarters
fighting, the firer standing up or keeping on the move. A belt-fed
gun cannot be used in such a way.
Apart from a slight saving in weight, bell-feed offers no advantage
whatever over magazine-feed as arranged in the Madsen.
The Madsen-Gun uses an overhead magazine which is the best from
the mechanical point of view. As regards visibility there is. in reality,
no disadvantage, for the Madsen magazine is only half an inch wide
and therefore cannot be picked up by the enemy beyond such very
short distances on which the firer or the gun itself and even a rifle
would be visible. In fact, the Madsen cannot be distinguished from a
rifle beyond some 50 yards’ distance. Il may be objected that if the
gun itself is concealed behind a parapet, the overhead magazine may
reveal its position. But it was demonstrated during the trials that the
magazine can swiftly be turned sideways and that the gun can even be
fired in such a way. This disposes of any objection to the overhead
magazine.
DRUM MAGAZINE.
The Madsen Gun can also use low drum magazines, each holding
80 rounds. In the same gun both types of magazines can be used indif-
ferently without any alteration or adjustment of the gun.
TANK GUN.
The drum magazine may be used with advantage in closed armoured
Tanks so that no additional height would be required inside the Tank.
The inboard length of the Madsen Gun is very short when the gun is
fitted up with a spade grip, and for this and other reasons the gun is
particularly serviceable in tanks and armoured cars. The protruding
portion of the gun can be fitted uy with a bullet-proof barrel-cover.
Barrel-changing cannot be noticed from outside the Tank and only
requires a small space inside the Tank (about 12 inches).
AIRCRAFT GUN.
The Madsen Machine Gun is also a superior weapon for use in Aero-
planes as a belt-fed fixed gun. synchronised to fire through the propeller
and as a drum-fed mobile gun firing from a Scarff-Ring. In both cases
37
1
Aeroplane with Madsen Guns,
fixed, belt-fed and free, drum-fed.
Belt-fed, fixed, synchronised Madsen Gun
firing through lhe propeller.
1900 rounds per minute.
Drum-fed, free Madsen Gaps firing from a Scarff Ring.
<« ЛЛЛ' J. _	- i-
2 Madsen Guns are normally filled up as twin-guns firing up to 1.900
rounds per minute. The superior efficiency of Madsen Guns used in
this way was proved during lhe trials carried out by the Mission of the
British Air Ministry at Copenhagen in November 1929. The results were
most satisfactory and a number of Madsen Guns for use in Aeroplanes
were acquired by The Air Ministry.
It is obviously of great importance that the Army, the Royal Navy
and the Royal Air Force can use one and the same machine-gun,
standardization and simplicity of manufacture being of vital importance
for industrial production particularly in war time.
Recently (December 1930) a new very light Recoil Mounting has been
introduced for the Madsen Gun as used in the aeroplanes and for the
special Anli-Aircraft-Service. In this mounting the gun recoils, all vibra-
tions are thereby obviated, lhe vertical and horizontal dispersion of bullets
are reduced by 50 '/,, and lhe rale of fire increased by 10 ' f. Il is much
easier to control and fire lhe gun and as lhe special aeroplane sights are
mounted on lhe immobile cradle (not on lhe recoiling gun) the Firer can
now follow, the fleeting target while firing is in progress.
HEAVY MADSEN MACHINE GUN.
The standardization of armament is carried further by the construc-
tion of lhe Madsen Machine Gun of caliber 0,8 inch (20 millimeter) firing
armour-piercing and high-explosive projectiles. This gun and ils
mounting are of course of greater dimensions but otherwise of the same
design as lhe rifle calibered (.303) Madsen Gun and ils Iripod. This
uniformity further facilitates manufacture and simplifies organization,
training and tactical handling. The 0,8 inch Madsen Gun is a front-line
weapon designed to fight against Tanks and Armoured Cars, Aircraft,
shield-clad Artillery, machine gun nests, etc., and also for „spoiling"
from the front-line to assist Artillery further behind.
GRENADE FIRING.
The Madsen Machine Gun, although of rifle caliber, can be efficiently
used as a light Howitzer firing high explosive grenades of caliber 2,01
inch, in high curved trajectories, with great accuracy, up to 500 yards’
range. Twelve grenades per minute can be fired. This enables Infantry
successfully to fight down lhe enemy, with their own arms, not only
when he offers a target vulnerable to ordinary machine gun fire but
also when he lakes cover behind parapets, in trenches, shell craters,
machine gun nests, etc.
The grenade-firing was tested at Bulford on October 21st, at 200
and 500 yards’ range, with remarkably good result, both as regards
accuracy and working of lhe gun.
The same grenades are also fired from the heavier 0,8 inch Madsen
Gun, and in this case up to 2,000 yards’ range.
TRAINING.
The Madsen Gun is simple and fool-proof, easy to handle, easy to
fire and generally to use in action. Training is accordingly particularly
simple. This was proved during the demonstration at Bulford on 21sl
October 1930: a team of 4 Troopers of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's
Bays) who had no previous knowledge of machine-guns or light auto-
matic guns, and only T2 hours' training with the Madsen Gun. carried
out a continuous rapid fire of 4,320 rounds — lhe team being left
entirely alone — with the following results:—
39
Rifle calibered Madsen Gan firing 2,04 inch, grenades up to 500 yards' range.
Heavy 0,8 inch. Madsen Gun firing the same 2,04 inch, grenades up to 2000 yards’ range.
CONTINUOUS RAPID FIRE
with the
MADSEN MACHINE GUN
carried out at Bulford on October the 21st. 1930
BY A TEAM OF FOUR TROOPERS
OF THE 2nd DRAGOON GUARDS (QUEEN’S BAYS)
with no previous knowledge of machine-guns, and
after 12 hours' training with the Madsen Gun.
Series No.	Barrel No.	Number of rounds	Time for firing 240 rounds Seconds	Interval between last shot with one barrel and first shot with next barrel Seconds	Malfunctions due to the			REMARKS
					ПП0	V c ?£ S	Ammunition	
1	I	240	56	12	0	0	0	
2	II	240	57	13	0	0	0	
3	I	240	55	10	0	0	0	
4	11	240	50	11	0	0	0	
5	I	240	51	12	0	0	0	
6	II	240	50	13	0	0	0	
7	I	240	54	12	0	0	0	| Safety catch pushed |up by mistake
8	II	240	47	11	0	0	0	
9	I	240	46	10	0	0	0	
10	II	240	48	10	0	0	0	
11	1	240	55	11	0	0	0	
12	II	240	47	9	0	0	0	
13	I	240	48	10	0	0	0	*
14	11	240	47	9	0	0	0	[One cartridge de- formed presumably
15 16	I	240 240	50 49	10	0	0 0	1	by having been trod uponbefore inserted
	II			12	0		0	(into the magazine
17	I	240	50	10	0	0	0	
18	II	240	50	9	0	0	0	
TOTAL. . .4,320 ROUNDS FIRED
41
Time for firing a series of 240 rounds:
Minimum: 46 seconds
Average: 51	„
Maximum: 57	„
Rapidity of fire:
Minimum: 313 rounds per minitte
Average: 284 „	„	„
Maximum: 253 „	„	„
Barrel changing:
Interval between the last shot fired with a barrel
and lhe first shot fired with the other barrel:
Minimum: 9 seconds
Average: 11
Maximum: 13
Total time for firing i,320 rounds;
13 min. 30 seconds, exclusive of intervals
16 min. 44 seconds, inclusive of intervals
Average fire-power for continuous fire,
including all intervals for barrel changing:
250 rounds per minute.
42
Heavy 0.8 inch.
Madsen Gun
drawn by two men.
Heavy 0,8 inch.
Madsen Gun in position.
Wheels removed.
Heavy 0.8 inch. Madsen
Gun on the pedestal moun-
ting for stationary anti-
aircraft defense.

Trooper with Madsen
Machine Gun
The weight of the Gun
is counterbalanced by
sword and kit
2 small ammunition
wallets are carried in
front.
Trooper with spare breech-
barrel in heat proof sheath
Ammunition saddle with
1200 rounds in 40 maga-
zines in 8 wallets.
On long marches and if
the Firer’s horse is dis-
abled the Gun can be
carried on the ammunition
saddle.
The Tripod Mounting is
carried on another ammu-
nition saddle.
Spahi-Cavalry of the French Army in Morocco used the Danish Madsen Machine Guns with eonspieouos success
during the War in Morocco 1925-26 and are still armed with these Guns.

Native Infantry of the French Army in Morocco armed with Danish Madsen Machine (inns.
These Guns were used with excellent results by 26 Infantry Battalions and Cavalry Regiments during the War 1925-26
and are still permanently in service in Morocco, Algeria etc.
РКГХПЬ IX ПГХ'МА-КК
1. GMON Г >L Pt*. I I* HSt X*
COH'NHAGtN
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