| Reibel machine gun | |
|---|---|
 Preservedmitrailleuse mle 31 in theSaumur armour museum (single-mount, tank-style model) | |
| Type | Machine gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | World War II 1948 Arab–Israeli War First Indochina War Vietnam War Algerian War[1] Chadian Civil War (1965–79) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1931 |
| Manufacturer | Manufacture d'armes de Châtellerault |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11.8 kg |
| Length | 1030 mm[citation needed] |
| Barrel length | 600 mm |
| Cartridge | 7.5×54mm French7.5x55mm Swiss |
| Caliber | 7.5 mm |
| Action | Gas |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds per minute (theoretical); 450rpm for one minute or 150rpm sustained (practical) |
| Muzzle velocity | 830 m/s (withballe C) |
| Feed system | 150-round pan magazine |
| Sights | Iron (single guns) Telescopic (fortification mounts) |
TheMAC mle 1931 machine gun (official French designationMitrailleusemodèle1931 - machine gun, model of 1931), was amachine gun used in Frenchtanks of theWorld War II era, as well as in fortifications such as theMaginot line. It is also sometimes known as theJM Reibel, fromJumelage de mitrailleuses, or Reibel twin-mounted guns and really refers to the specialized twin-mounting frame used inJM cloche cupolas on theMaginot Line fortifications, whileMAC mle 1931 refers specifically to the gun. The JM twin-mounts were the standard emplacement for the mle 1931 in fixed fortifications, while tanks and other AFVs received single guns.
The Reibel machine gun is agas operated weapon chambered in the7.5 mm MAScartridge and was loaded with vertical, side-mounted, 150-roundpan magazines. The variant used in fortifications was modified with a different rifling to accommodate the balle Dheavyball type of ammunition.
Some other guns in French service during the late 1940s were converted to ground role, with adoption of the side-mounted 35-roundbox magazines and adapters for US M2 tripods.[citation needed]
Themodele 1931 machine gun is a gas operated weapon which fires fromopen bolt and in full automatic only. It is derived from the FrenchFM 24/29Fusil-Mitrailleur (light machine gun) also designed by Lt Colonel Reibel, and based on theBrowning Automatic Rifle. The FM 24/29 was developed into a heavier machine gun capable of relatively sustained fire, by giving it an extremely thick and massive barrel, to act as a heat sink. This was necessary, since the FM 24/29 lacked a quick-change barrel or water-cooling and its normal light barrel would rapidly overheat and wear out, if fired in more than short bursts, with cooling rests between. The long stroke gas piston is located below the barrel and operates the vertically tilting bolt group. Ammunition is fed from side-mounted multi-layer 150-round pan magazines (with bullets pointing to the center of the round magazine). The gun can be modified to take magazines on either the left or right side, to ease magazine changes while mounted in the standard side-by-sideJM twin-mount. Ejection is straight down, through the short chute attached to the base of the receiver, which in fortifications, usually led into a longer tube or chute that directed the spent cases into the ditches outside. The gun was fitted with a forward-curvedpistol grip to aid control and a standard rifle-styletrigger. When mounted in fortifications, the twin-mount included an adjustable twin-shoulder stock, a tubular metal bar that extended from the rear of the mounting frame, which mounted a horizontal crossbar, with shoulder pads on each end. The operator would face the breeches of the guns and place these pads against his shoulders. He would then use his body to control traverse, while his hands would grip the pistols grips to fire one or both guns. Elevation was controlled by a brass crank underneath the weapon. Twin mountings came inT andF configurations;F types used standard triggers and stocks and were used for embrasure mounts incasemates and cupolas, while theT featured a trigger operated byBowden cable and was intended for remote use in retractableturrets.[citation needed]
The standard for amle 1931 in fixed emplacements was aJM Reibel twin-mount, complete withtelescopic sight,azimuth and level indicators, elevation screw and spent case ejection chutes. It was manned by a crew of eight, including two gunners, two loaders, two assistant loaders (to fetch ammunition and reload pan magazines with a table-mounted reloading machine that took standard 5-roundstripper clips), a mechanic to repair any faults or jams, and a commander to direct or coordinate fire. The purpose of pairing the guns was to allow for sustained and rapid fire. During normal use, the two guns would be fired in turn, allowing the other gun time to cool down. When called for, both guns could be fired together, increasing instantaneous rate of fire. Charts were posted on the walls in each emplacement, outlining standard operating technique:
TheJM mount consisted of a thick, metal, square frame, sized to fit into a standard French fortificationembrasure (opening); the guns were mounted on an equally heavy-duty pivoting cradle inside this frame. The square frame fit snugly into the embrasure and was attached by hinges and bolts. This ensured that there were no gaps where enemy bullets could enter into the bunker (except the very small opening that the telescopic sight peeped through), yet allowed the guns to be aimed and trained on anyone outside the walls. Emplacements were often shared with ananti-tank gun sharing the same embrasure opening; theJM mount would be hinged back, and the anti-tank gun slid forward on its ceiling-mounted rail, until its barrel was outside and breech inside. It was surrounded by a similar square frame, which fit tightly into the embrasure. The only time the occupants of the bunker were exposed to enemy fire, was in the brief moments when switching the machine gun mounting for an artillery mount.[2]
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Bulgaria, used on theHotchkiss H35 light tank.[citation needed]
Chad, used dismounted by governmentalArmée Nationale Tchadienne duringChadian Civil War (1965–79).[3]
China, used on theRenault UE Chenillette.[4]
Croatia, used on theHotchkiss H35 light tank.[citation needed]
France, used on armoured vehicles, such asAMR 33,Renault FT orPanhard EBR and on fortifications. During theIndochina War, M1931As were used on vehicles[5] or dismounted on tripods.[6]
Germany, captured examples. The MAC-1931 model served as Kpfw MG 331(f).[7]
Hungary, used on theHotchkiss H35 light tank.[citation needed]
Israel, used on theHotchkiss H35 light tank.[citation needed]
Italy, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Lebanon, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Poland, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Switzerland, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Syria, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Turkey, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]
Yugoslavia, used onRenault R35 light tank.[citation needed]