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Furrer Model 25 (M25)

1925 INTERWAR

History of the Furrer Model 25 (M25)

In 1925, the Swiss Army introduced a new light machine gun (LMG) design called the "Furrer M25" (or "Type 25"). The weapon, the brainchild of Swiss Army Colonel Adolf Furrer, relies on a recoil system similar to the German Parabellum pistol. Well made and reliable, the M25 is too expensive for many militaries around the world to adopt in large numbers.

Therefore, it only serves in Switzerland. This weapon is manufactured by W+F Bern.

The weapon weighs 8.65 kg, has an overall length of 1,163 mm and a barrel length of 585 mm. It is loaded with a 7.5x55mm M1911 (GP11) cartridge and has a rate of fire close to 450 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of 800 meters and is fed from a 30-round detachable magazine.

Long-range fire aiming is carried out by means of simple iron devices. The frame uses a wooden stock and underlined (straight) pistol grip, with a charging handle mounted on the side in a traditional fashion. The barrel is jacketed for air cooling, and a short muzzle assembly is attached to the business end of the gun.

A folding metal bipod was mounted under the muzzle to provide frontal support for the weapon when firing from behind cover or in a prone position.

The Model 25's internals are similar in scope to the Parabellum pistol, but are described as "rolled over" and require the use of a side-mounted magazine. The recoil feedback on this gun is considered to be quite good, thanks to Colonel Fowler's work on this - the firing action occurs as most of the recoil mass moves forward, the mass is brought back to resist the explosion of the cartridge. pressure.

This application, while effective, required considerable attention (especially for machine guns) to manufacturing precision, which in turn led to higher production coststhe main reason why world powers shunned such guns at the time.

Furrer also applied his fire fighting methods to other historical developments, including large-caliber anti-tank rifles and anti-aircraft guns. His twin-barreled version of the Type 25 also appeared as an air gun.