Bergmann MG15 nA Gun

The Bergmann MG15 was the World War I production version of a prototype designed in 1910, brainchild of Theodor Bergmann and Louis Schmeisser. It was somewhat ahead of its time, using aluminium. It first used a box magazine before to use a 75 rounds drum with an adaptor allowing its use without transformation of the weapon. It used a lock system patented by Theodor Bergmann in 1901 along with the principle of short recoil operation. Initially water cooled for ground use, it was superseded during the war by the air cooled for aircraft use MG15Na (the previous water jacket was replaced by a slotted metal barrel surround) and featured a pistol grip and trigger, a recoil pad fitted to the rear of the receiver, a tripod mounting. The MG15Na was a fine gun which served into the 1930s, but the dominance of the Maxim '08 during the war meant it never acquired much enthusiasm from military officials.

It inspired the Rheinmetall Solothurn MG 30, the precursor of the GPMG MG 34. it was reused as MG 15 machine gun by the Luftwaffe for bombers after transformation by Rheinmetall Borsig between 1936 and 1940 to obtain a rate of fire of 1000 RPM instead of 500 RPM. After 1940, they were converted again for ground use but retained their high rate of fire. This was a drawback since they were not cooled enough when used in ground use rendering them unable to operate after shooting a few drums.

External links

* [http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/mgun_mg15na.htm http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/mgun_mg15na.htm]
* [http://www.army.lt/guns/gallery/M022.jpg]