Item Description
Original Item: Dating from the WWI era these British Hotchkiss Pattern machine guns were designated as cavalry guns and became known as the Portative. Issued for field use on a small crow's foot tripod these were also installed in WWI tanks. In .303 cal. they were fed using metal feed strips. Each set comes with its tripod and detachable shoulder stock. All parts included (except receiver). An extremely RARE and unusual WWI machine gun parts set offered in very good condition.
Please note: We have very few of these left. All remaining examples will be missing some of the very small components and the wooden carry handle for the barrel. Please consult the pictures to see which parts are included.
Hotchkiss Mark I Light Machine Gun In British Service:
The Hotchkiss Portative has a very interesting battle history, although the gun is not as widely known as the other British light machine gun, the Lewis. Adopted as the Hotchkiss Portable Machine Gun Mark I, it was based on the French Hotchkiss Model 1909. The British considered it more suitable for mounted troops - cavalry and mounted infantry - than the more cumbersome Lewis. It was used by some famous units in equally famous battles. The Australian Light Horse, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, and the legendary Camel Corp used it in the Desert Campaign in Sinai and Palestine from 1915 1917. In Palestine, it was used by the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade in their overwhelmingly successful attack at Beersheba (immortalized in the excellent film The Light Horsemen, 1987). This charge is known as the most successful attack by mounted infantry in history. The Mark I was used by the ANZACs in the Gallipoli Campaign, and by British mounted troops in the fighting on the Western Front.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey, and Washington
This product is not available for international shipping.
- This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machine gun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Please note that the requirements for each display gun are decided on a per case basis by the BATF, and may require deactivation or omission of some internal components. For more information on this display gun, please contact us. Not available for Export.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
