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Lewis gun
Photo: Balcer · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
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Lewisgun

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · United States · 1914
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Lewisgun

Lewis gun
Lewis gun Photo: Balcer · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Accuracy
70
Reliability
80
Portability
85
Ammunition Capacity
65
Barrel Endurance
70
Controllability
75
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerBirmingham Small Arms Company, Savage Arms
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraWorld War I
In service1914–1942
Operators38 countries
Quantity152,050
Data Quality88%
73
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
1/1
World War I
8/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Accuracy
70
Reliability
80
Portability
85
Ammunition Capacity
65
Barrel Endurance
70
Controllability
75
Versatility
70
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
Lewis gun
Production
1914–1942
Quantity
152,050
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · WORLD WAR I
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
73
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1913
  • Service Entry Year1915
  • DesignerIsaac Newton Lewis (primary) and Samuel McClean
  • Weight (Empty)12.7 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersBritish Empire forces, U.S. forces (limited), Soviet forces (captured), Japanese Navy (Type 92), German forces (captured)
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation8MOD.8
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesautomatic only
  • Select FireNo
  • Feed SystemDrum
  • Drum / Belt Capacity47
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire500
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
  • Muzzle Velocity743 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,200 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production152,050
  • Production Start1913
  • Production End1942
  • Unit Cost62 USD
◎Additional Dimensions1MOD.1
  • Width114 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1898First deployment: Banana Wars
  2. 1914Production started
  3. 1917Entered service
  4. 1942Production ended
112
years in service
28
years in production
152,050
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 38 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
LEWIS GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A cylindrical ammunition container, typically mounted on a firearm, that holds cartridges in a spiral arrangement for feeding into the chamber.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →