Watch: French WWI Machinegun That’s Been Riddled With Bullets

This is an interesting old piece of iron. It’s a French 1907 St. Etienne WWI heavy machine gun that’s been perforated numerous times by bullets from another (presumably German) rifle.

The receiver has been penetrated at least three times, and it appears that another bullet may have struck the edge of what appears to be the ejection port.

Farther up, more impacts have further damaged this old gun.

The funky thing on the end of the barrel is referred to as “trench armor” and presumably helped deflect bullets intended for the person firing the model 1907.

A good reminder for those who may forget the reality of warfare.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.