Belgian Lewis

[dougstump]

I am in the process of acquiring a BSA made for Belgium Lewis gun. The gun is in great shape and runs like a sewing machine.

How many Lewis guns did the Belgians purchase, and over what time frame (the gun is marked Model 1914).

Many Thanks,
Doug

[woodsy]

Doug, all the British made Lewis ground pattern guns were marked Model of 1914 and also had Armes Automatiques Lewis, Belgium, stamped on them as that was the parent company, although the guns were all made by BSA. Actual Belgian use of the Lewis was very small with only 15 guns supplied by BSA in .303 and all of the prototype 1913 model which fired from a closed bolt. These guns were cleverly used by the Belgians in ambush situations which gave rise to the Germans calling them the Belgian Rattlesnake. By August 1914 Belgium was under German control and so remained until 1918. BSA made the Model 1914 for the duration of WW1. The serial number would be handy to give you some idea when it was made.

[dougstump]

Rod,

Many thanks. I see that I have a lot to learn about the Lewis. I'll try to get the seller to bring it out to the range Sunday after church and I'll get the serial munber. When I do finally get to bring it home, I'm not sure how I'm going to get it in the gun safe.

Doug

[dougstump]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

The original serial number is 50966, both the receiver and barrel jacket match, but the body cover is mismatched. Can’t have everything. All three major components have been renumbered.

It has the oil bottle in the stock, sling swivels, Mark I* buttstock bracket, 1,900 yard rear sight, and thumb piece buttstock catch. It does not have the marking disc on the stock, pistol grip screws, and the pinion casing is unmodified. I can go more in depth after I get to bring the little darling home in a couple of months (blasted paperwork).

This video was taken with my cell phone. The Lewis was still acting a bit cantankerous, but after I tightened up the mainspring a bit it runs 100%. I have the Mark III mount (bipod), but I had removed it to do some cleaning on it when we took the video.



Doug

[woodsy]

Hi Doug

Your Lewis was made about mid-1917. I am sorry I can't be more specific than that. I am jealous!!

[03a3]

That a cool pic... My Lewis Gun I got when my dad past away.

The thing was taking apart and the parts all were in differant
places, one of the 1st parts I found in a cigar box with a few
colt .45 parts, was the mainspring, I was like cool look at this to my 18 year son, he siad what the heck is that LOL... soon after we found the rest of the gun and I put it together.

All the part numbers match A689, the run number A19818.
I'm thinking it is a 1916 or early 1917. Has the bipod as well.
Just need the strap...