Madsen machine gun
| Madsen machine gun | |
|---|---|
| A Madsen light machine gun with spare magazine. | |
| Type | Light machine gun | 
| Place of origin | Denmark | 
| Service history | |
| In service | 1902–present | 
| Used by | See Users | 
| Wars | List of conflicts 
 | 
| Production history | |
| Designer | Julius A. Rasmussen Theodor Schouboe | 
| Designed | 1896–1902 | 
| Manufacturer | Dansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat A/S | 
| Produced | 1902–1955 | 
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.07 kg (20.00 lb) | 
| Length | 1,143 mm (45.0 in) | 
| Barrel length | 584 mm (23.0 in) | 
| Cartridge | |
| Action | Mixed recoil-operated | 
| Rate of fire | 450 rounds/min | 
| Muzzle velocity | 870 m/s (2,854 ft/s) (6.5×55mm) | 
| Feed system | 
 | 
| Sights | Rear 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).