During the First World War, W.H. Tildesley was involved in the production of many different types of forged components used within military fighting vehicles and general arms and personnel equipment.

When studying our extensive archive we discovered numerous drawings detailing components for a portable machine gun.  Upon further analysis, we connected to the Hotchkiss Portable Mk1 Machine Gun.

The ‘portable’ version of the French Hotchkiss machine gun was produced in a purpose-built factory in Coventry and rechambered for British .303 calibre rounds. It could accept either a 30-round feed strip or belt-fed ammunition.  Primarily thought to be issued to cavalry units, the MK1 with its new pistol grip design was also widely utilised on tanks and aircraft during the First World War.

The Hotchkiss weighed around 12 kilograms and was gas-operated and air-cooled, capable of firing 400-600 rounds per minute with a maximum firing range of 3800 metres.

WHT has 17 component drawings detailing the forged component produced for the Hotchkiss Mk1 Portable Machine Gun, some are shown below.