Beyond this, the type proved itself beyond just the light machine gun role for it was a fixture of various vehicle and aircraft designs as a primary or support weapon. Its exposure during World War 1 (1914-1918) gave designers and warplanners great insight into the future battlefield where an automatic firing weapon system could be man-portable, retaining chief characteristics of both service rifle and machine gun in one complete package. Use of the .303 British is somewhat notable for this entry as it proved prone to jamming the complex Madsen action - though the guns were still held in high regard as operated by British tanker crews for a time.
The design was also undertaken locally by British based Rexer Arms who produced it in quantity sans license beginning in 1905 - leading to some models carrying the "DDRS" designation or "Rexer" name. The gun also served in the Mexican Revolution prior to - and during - World War 1 and the Russian Empire purchased the machine gun in considerable numbers for service in its war against Japan - some ended up installed in Russia combat aircraft showing the design's great flexibility. Both sides of The Great War employed the weapon to good effect including Germany who fielded it in their native 7.92mm rifle chambering.
This reach in the pre-war and wartime period ensured a lengthy existence for the series and it remained in widespread circulation during the inter-war period where numbers were still employed by many Latin American and South American players while still remaining a fixture in Europe. As such, the gun was still available in number by the time of World War 2 (1939-1945) and, once again, used by both warring sides (including the Spanish Civil War). In the post-war years, usage began to dwindle but remained strong until more modern designs overtook it. Some examples can still be found in far-off parts of the world today (2020) - in both South America and Africa.
Production of the Madsen Machine Gun series lasted until 1955 before it was discarded for more modern incarnations. Amazingly, the latest designs changed very little from the pre-World War 1 form - such was the weapon's excellence in service.
The conflicts making up the Madsen Machine Gun's storied history beginning in 1902 include the Russo-Japanese War, World War 1, the Russian Civil War, the Mexican Revolution, the Rif War, the Chaco War, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the Portuguese Colonial War among others.
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