The Hotchkiss Model 1914 machine gun.In 1905 the French experimented with a blow forward machine gun

The Hotchkiss Model 1914 machine gun.In 1905 the French experimented with a blow forward machine gun design called the “Puteau”, a design which was over-complicated, unreliable, and all around one of the worst heavy machine gun designs ever created.  An improvement of the design called the St. Ettiene Mle 1907 was adopted, but the improvements were marginal, and the design was prone to malfunction and deeply flawed.  Regardless, the French adopted the design, and the Mle. 1907 became the premiere heavy machine gun throughout World War I.In 1916, due to overwhelming complaints from French soldiers, the French Army decided to look for a new machine gun to supplement or replace the Mle 1907.  By 1917 the French Army chose a competing design from a private American - French manufacturer named Benjamin Hotchkiss.  Called the Hotchkiss Mle. 1914, the machine gun had the appearance of the older Mle. 1907, but used different mechanical means to work the action.  The Mle 1914 did away with the complex and unreliable blow forward system of the Mle. 1907, replacing it with a more conventional blowback system which fired from an open bolt.  This system was much more reliable, and significantly less prone to failure, breakdowns, and malfunction.  In addition the Hotchkiss Mle 1914 featured five annular rings which surrounded the barrel, aiding in heat dissipation and preventing overheating.  Maximum rate of fire was around 450 rounds per minute, but could be slowed to lower rates of fire by adjusting a flow regulating piston attached to the gas tube.  The Hotchkiss still used the same feeding mechanism as the Mle 1907, a 24 round strip of 8mm Lebel cartridges which were hand fed into the action.  However for use in tanks, vehicles, and airplanes 250 round belts were also available. Usually the Hotchkiss required a 3 man crew to transport, load, and operate.By late 1917 Hotchkiss machine guns began to be issued to French forces in large numbers.  By 1918 they had almost replaced the Mle 1907 with frontline units.  Between 1914 and 1918, over 65,000 Hotchkiss machine guns were produced.  Most were issued to the French Army during World War I, and continued to see use up to World War II.  They were also sold to Mexico, Poland, Japan, the United States, and a wide variety of other countries. -- source link

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