Lewis machine gun

weapon

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The Lewis machine gun is a gas-operated, air-cooled weapon that was widely used during World War I and beyond. It was invented by U.S. Army officer Isaac Newton Lewis, who patented it in 1911. Although initially rejected by the U.S. Army, Lewis found interest in the weapon in Europe. He began manufacturing the gun in Belgium and later moved operations to England at the start of World War I. Approximately 100,000 Lewis guns were utilized by Allied armies, with an adaptation proving particularly valuable on airplanes due to its minimal recoil. This advantage eventually led to its acceptance by the U.S. Army after further testing and considerable debate.12

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small arm
Light machine guns
These included the British Lewis gun (invented in America but manufactured and improved in Great Britain), the French Chauchat, several German weapons, and the U.S. M1918 Browning automatic rifle (known as the BAR). Most, but not all, of these light weapons were gas-operated. Almost all were air-cooled. Generally, they…
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These included the British Lewis gun (invented in America but manufactured and improved in Great Britain), the French Chauchat, several German weapons, and the U.S. M1918 Browning automatic rifle (known as the BAR). Most, but not all, of these light weapons were gas-operated. Almost all were air-cooled. Generally, they…
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Isaac Newton Lewis
…inventor best known for the Lewis machine gun, widely used in World War I and later.
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…inventor best known for the Lewis machine gun, widely used in World War I and later.
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