Chauchat

[Peter_Suciu]

It took 272 days to do the transfer but just before SOS I picked up my live Chauchat! This is my first functional machine gun.

[Peter_Suciu]

This example was produced by Sidarme during World War I.

[Peter_Suciu]

The selector switch was revolutionary 100 years ago!

[Peter_Suciu]

The receiver and open magazine.

[kaiser]

Thats a nice toy to play with
You do not see these often
wel done peter

[aicusv]

This was my first MG as well, it too was a Sidarme. I just recently got rid of my pouches and extra mags.

[Gustaf]

Nearly everything about the Chauchat was revolutionary 100 years ago, it was the first assault rifle designed specifically for walking fire. It is often criticized for the open sided magazine, but in fact there were very few automatic weapons of the time that had an enclosed magazine, off hand the Madison is the only one I can think of.

[911car]

I am in Warsaw for a meeting and today I visited the (great!) polish Army museum.

[Westfront]

Very nice congrats

[ottodog8]

Very nice piece, I’m envious. Do you plan to shoot it?

Steve

[Peter_Suciu]

Very nice piece, I’m envious. Do you plan to shoot it?

I don't have any immediate plans to shoot it. I honestly don't know the last time it was properly cleaned and I haven't really had the time to undertake breaking it down to give it a good cleaning.

[aicusv]

Be careful taking the spring set out, there is a lot of tension on the springs.

[ebeeby]

I'm curious if that is for "N Ball" 8mm Lebel and so marked "N" on the receiver

[JohnM]

Very nice Peter! That is an awesome piece of history and a fantastic acquisition! Hope to get one, one day.
John