Madsen machine gun

Madsen machine gun
A Madsen light machine gun with spare magazine.
TypeLight machine gun
Place of originDenmark
Service history
In service1902–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerJulius A. Rasmussen
Theodor Schouboe
Designed1896–1902
ManufacturerDansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat A/S
Produced1902–1955
Specifications
Mass9.07 kg (20.00 lb)
Length1,143 mm (45.0 in)
Barrel length584 mm (23.0 in)

Cartridge
ActionMixed recoil-operated
Rate of fire450 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity870 m/s (2,854 ft/s) (6.5×55mm)
Feed system
  • 25-round detachable single-row box magazine
  • 30 and 40-round detachable double-row box magazine
  • 80-round drum magazine
  • Belt-fed
SightsRear V-notch and front post

The Madsen is a light machine gun that Julius A. Rasmussen and Theodor Schouboe designed and proposed for adoption by Colonel Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen, the Danish Minister of War, and that the Royal Danish Army adopted in 1902. It was the world's first true light machine gun produced in quantity and Madsen was able to sell it in 12 calibres to over 34 countries. The gun saw extensive combat usage for over 100 years, with continued use in limited quantities worldwide into the 2010s. The Madsen was produced by Compagnie Madsen A/S (later operating as Dansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat A/S and then Dansk Industri Syndikat A/S).