MG 11

Maschinengewehr Modell 1911 (MG 11)
MG 11 (revisions 1934/1935 variant) mounted on its tripod
Type	Heavy machine gun
Place of origin	Switzerland
Service history
In service	1911 - 1980s
Used by	Swiss Army
Production history
Designer	Hiram Maxim / Waffenfabrik Bern
Designed	1885
Manufacturer	Waffenfabrik Bern
Produced	1911 - 1946
No. built	10,000+
Variants	MG 11 revisions 1934/1935
Specifications
Weight	18.7 kg (41.23 lb) (without tripod)
Length	1,100 mm (43.3 in)
Barrel length	721 mm (28.4 in)
Cartridge	7.5x55mm Swiss GP 11
Caliber	7.5 mm
Action	Short recoil, Toggle locked
Rate of fire	500 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	750 m/s (2,460 ft/s)
Feed system	canvas and metal links belt
Sights	Iron sights optical sight

The Maschinengewehr Modell 1911 or MG 11 is a Swiss heavy machine gun which was introduced before and during World War I. The MG 11 has a narrow constructive relationship with the German MG 08 heavy machine gun.

The MG 11 was based on the water-cooled Maxim machine gun, which had been developed by Hiram Stevens Maxim in 1885. The MG 11 was the last of a series of Swiss derivatives of the Maxim machine gun.

Between 1891 and 1894 Switzerland procured 72 heavy machine guns, designated MG 94, from Maxim and Nordenfelt in London and Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) Berlin. These weapons were issued to fortress troops and mountain troops and were operational until 1944 as spare arms with the Territorial Battalion. The MG 94 was mounted at the front end and at the rear on the knees of the gunner. Two leather padded rings on the left and on the right sides of the breech of the weapon rested on the knees of the machine gunner sitting behind it and permitted sweeping fire. The machine gun MG 94 was chambered for the 7.5x53.5 mm GP 90 cartridge and was later, along other minor technical modifications, adapted for firing the more powerful 7.5x55 mm GP 11 cartridge. Six MG 94 had their water-cooling mantles drilled and cut open, making these guns air-cooled and thus water-free and lighter for use as aircraft machine guns. These 6 MG 94 air-cooled guns were taken out of service in 1944.

In 1899 Switzerland procured 69 heavy machine guns, designated MG 00, mainly from Vickers, Sons & Maxim in London. These guns had tripod mounts designed for cavalry use with a gunner's seat attached to the rear support strut. The machine gun MG 00 was chambered for the 7.5x53.5 mm GP 90 cartridge and was later adapted for firing the more powerful 7.5x55 mm GP 11 cartridge.

The MG 11 at first was originally procured from DWM Berlin. As German deliveries ceased during World War I, the manufacturing of the MG 11 was taken up in 1915 by the Eidgenössischen Waffenfabrik W+F (confederate weapon factory W+F) Bern.