Lewis Gun Munro

[Barrett]

Forumites: while searching the net for a source of info on Lewis Guns, I ran across a genaelogical entry concerning one Lewis Gun Munro, evidently from the British West Indies. Gotta be a story there...
Anyway, my search for technical info came to naught. If anyone knows of a source of Lewis Gun manuals or other info such as nomenclature, operation & malfunctions (especially malfunctions) please advise. Boom, Puresome and I will be most appreciative as we proceed with "Duel Over Douai."

[Ira_Silverman]

Barrett:

The best source that is still available is the following Albatros Mini-Datafile:

Woodman, Harry. "Lewis Guns. The Metamorphic Machine Gun. A Guide to the Changing Appearance of the Well-Used Aircraft Weapon of WWI." Herts, Albatros, 1995. 8 pp., illus., pict. covers, wraps.

It should be available in better hobby shops, and I know Aviation Books (Lomita, CA) carries copies.

Another book recommended to me a few years ago is:

Truby, J. David. "Pictorial History of the Lewis Gun". Boulder, Paladin, 1976. ___ pp., illus.

It's a rare one though; I haven't been able to turn up a copy of my own.

Hope this is of some help.

VBR,

Ira

Barrett,

In the November 1998 FineScale Modeler, Albatros Productions has a full-page ad. The Lewis Gun Mini Datafile is listed for $8. I just sent off a rather large order; hope most of the stuff is still in stock!

Rich

Hi Barrett
It may not be of much help but I do know that WW1 Aero magazine has photocopies of the original manual of the Lewis gun. I imagine this would include parts, strip down info and problem solving. Call Leo Opedyke at Poughkeepsie, he's got lots of good stuff there!
Les

As an add-on to my last reply, have you looked at the "Topics" section? Look under 'RFC Flight Training' and scroll down until you get to "Ground School". Near the end of this part you will see a reference to Norman R Anderson's cadet log book in which he wrote 4 pages of notes about the Lewis m/g. Ask Scott if there is any chance of the author of this article being able to post this info on-line? More than one person would be interested I think!
Living only to serve
Yours
Les

[Barrett]

Gents: many thanks for your good tips. Boom and I thank you.

From the rear cockpit of the Brisfit low over the Bray-Corbie Road,
Barrett

New, super book out in 1998: The Belgian Rattlesnake, The Lewis Automatic Machine Gun, by William M. Easterly.Published by: Collector Grade Publications Incorporated, PO Box1046 Cobourg, Ontario Canada K9A 4W5. ISBN 0-88935-236-4. Also, I have two operators manuals for American Lewis (Savage) Aircraft guns that are very interesting.

I understand the lewis was well made with an excellent rate of fire. I have always wondered if the 47 and 94 round ammo drums caused a problem to Allied crews and just how long and complicated it was to change the drums. Anyone know?