Today for Gus’ Gear I will look closer at the tool kit for the Chauchat automatic rifle. It has tools to disassemble, clean and adjust the weapon in the field. Dirt and powder residue is the enemy of any weapon, and even more so with an automatic weapon. The cartridges used at the time had corrosive primers and the powder left a lot of residues that could build up and cause the weapon to jam.
This is a photo of three French soldiers manning a Chauchat as an anti-aircraft gun at a US observation balloon installation. A close look of the weapon shows it does not have the anti-aircraft sight.
This photo shows the magazine and the follower depressor. Each magazine would be tested before reloading to make sure they would feed well. At the top is a cartridge and a package of cartridges dated 1918 in an 8 round paper package. The reason much of the 8mm Lebel ammunition was shipped to the front in 8 round packages was because the magazine of the Lebel rifle had a capacity of 8 rounds. The manual states that the magazine capacity is 20 rounds on the Chauchat, but instructs soldiers to load it with only 18, as they feed better that way.
This photo shows the tools out of the kit, the two cans at the center are for oil and kerosene for cleaning and oiling the weapon. On the left is the anti-aircraft sight, the top part fits on the rear sight and the lower part fits on the front sight. At the top is the three piece cleaning rod with the patch jag to the right. On the right are two brushes, the top one is a chamber brush, and the lower is a bore brush. Below the brushes is a broken cartridge extractor, when the base of a cartridge would separate from the cartridge, this tool would be inserted in the chamber and it would extend beyond the neck. When extracted with the bolt, the front would expand and hook the front of the cartridge and pull it out. Below that is a simple flat iron bar with a groove cut in the small end, this is to adjust the lips of the magazine to insure it feeds well. The small brass rod is a tool that I have yet to discover the use of and below that is a flat steel screwdriver/spanner for disassembling the cross bolts in the frame of the weapon. In the center at the bottom is a magazine follower depressor, used to test the condition of the magazine spring
The first photo shows all the tools stowed in their respective pockets. The anti-aircraft sights do not have a dedicated pocket as they were developed later and the magazine depressor should be in the pocket at the top of the tool kit. The manual is a 1917 dated English copy for use by US troops.
This photo shows a Chauchat with a spare magazine haversack, several magazines, the tool kit and a US gunner’s belt, similar to the BAR belt, but without magazine pouches and a different size butt cup for walking fire with the weapon.