light machine-gun
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19700026-001
- Event 1914-1919 First World War
- Affiliation --
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Savage Arms Inc.
- Date Made 1918-1919
- Place of Use Continent - Europe, Country - United Kingdom
- Category Tools and equipment for science and technology
- Sub-category Armament, firearm
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1918/01/01
- Latest 1919/12/31
- Brand Name / Model Savage-Lewis Aircraft Gun Cal. .30
- Inscription STAMPED ON FEED PLATE: LEWIS AIRCRAFT GUN-CAL.30 MODEL 1918; HGD-INSPECTOR;U OVER 5; U.S.A & N.A.S.NO.4719; ON FEED PLATE COVER: SAVAGE LEWIS MACHINE GUN MFG, BY SAVAGE ARMS CO. UTICA. N.Y. U.S.A; (AMERINDIAN HOLDING RIFLE) SURROUNDED BY SAVAGE QUALITY INSIDE (OVAL); 898 DP; ENGRAVED ON COVER PLATE: FOR DRILL PURPOSES ONLY NOT TO BE FIRED;STAMPED; ON RIGHT SIDE OF RECEIVER: LEWIS MACHINE GUN MFG. BY SAVAGE ARMS CO. UTICA. NY. U.S.A; NO.26189; U.S. CAL.30
- Pattern Name Lewis
- Materials Metal, Wood
- Service Component Royal Flying Corps
- Measurements Height 21.5 cm, Length 112.0 cm, Width 14.0 cm
- Related activity Machine-Gunner
- Caption William Avery BISHOP, VC, CB, DSO*, MC, DFC, ED
- Additional Information Bishop won the Victoria Cross during an action at Cambrai, France, on 2 June 1917. His citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery, determination and skill. Captain Bishop, who had been sent out to work independently, flew first of all to an enemy aerodrome; finding no machine about, he flew on to another aerodrome about three miles south-east, which was at least twelve miles the other side of the line. Seven machines, some with their engines running, were on the ground. He attacked these from about fifty feet, and a mechanic, who was starting one of the engines, was seen to fall. One of the machines got off the ground, but at a height of sixty feet, Captain Bishop fired fifteen rounds into it at very close range, and it crashed to the ground. A second machine got off the ground, into which he fired thirty rounds at 150 yards range, and it fell into a tree. Two more machines then rose from the aerodrome. One of these he engaged at a height of 1,000 feet emptying the rest of his drum of ammunition. This machine crashed 300 yards from the aerodrome, after which Captain Bishop emptied a whole drum into the fourth hostile machine, and flew back to his station. Four hostile scouts were about 1,000 feet above him for about a mile of his return journey, but they would not attack. His machine was very badly shot about by machine-gun fire from the ground."
- Caption 30 Savage-Lewis Aircraft Gun
- Additional Information This 1918 Lewis machine-gun belonged to Billy Bishop. Most kills occurred when fighters, lurking at high altitudes or sneaking beneath an enemy plane, swooped in close to fire short bursts from their machine-guns.