CODE – 04-132-915
NAME – Model 1915 Aircraft Lewis Gun (Savage)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – USA
DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1915
CALIBER – 7.7x56mmR (.303 British)
OVERALL LENGTH – 106.2 cm (41.8 in) with spade-grip handle
BARREL LENGTH – 66.7 cm (26.25 in)
RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 4-Groove, Left-hand twist, 1 turn in 25.4 cm (1 turn in 10 in)
LOAD – Mk VII Composite Jacketed Spitzer
BULLET DIAMETER – 7.90 mm (0.311 in)
BULLET WEIGHT – 11.34 g (175 grains)
MUZZLE VELOCITY – 748 m/s (2454 fps)
MUZZLE ENERGY – 3173 j (2340 ft/lb)
WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 8.39 kg (18 lb 8 oz)
WEIGHT (LOADED) – 12.1 kg (26 lb 11 oz) loaded with 97-rounds Mk VII Ball
SIGHTS – Open, iron, adjustable – Front sight – Blade, Rear sight – Screw-ladder type with aperture, Graduated from 183 to 1829 m in 91 m increments (200 to 2000 yards in 100 yard increments)
EFFECTIVE RANGE – 805 m (880 yards)
OPERATION – Gas, fires from open bolt
TYPE OF FIRE – Full automatic
RATE OF FIRE – 200 to 250 rpm
CYCLIC ROF – 500-600 rpm
FEED DEVICE – 47 or 97 round pan-type drum magazine
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 47-round – 0.68 kg (1 lb 8 oz), 97-round – 1.30 kg (2 lb 14 oz)
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 47-round – 1.85 kg (4 lb 1 oz) with 47 rounds Mk VII Ball, 97-round– 3.71 kg (8 lb 3 oz) with 97 rounds Mk VII Ball
BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Six – 97-round magazines (582 rounds)
LOAD WEIGHT – 22.26 kg (49 lb 1 oz)
MANUFACTURER – Savage Arms Co., Utica, New York USA
STATUS – Obsolete
SERVICE – British Royal Flying Corps
This was an American-made Lewis gun manufactured in very small numbers as a copy of the British Mark II aircraft version. The weapon was produced by the Savage Arms Company according to the pattern set by the B.S.A Mark II Aircraft Lewis gun.
