Mendoza C-1934 (M1934) Light Machine Gun (1934)
The Mendoza C-1934 was a light machine gun design in the same vein as the American M1918 BAR.
Like the American BAR, the Mexican C-1934 sported a rifle-type exterior with a solid wood stock making up the gun body, forestock and integrated shoulder stock. The pistol grip was held under the rear portion of the receiver. The internal working components were all encased in metal and set within the wooden body shell. The "quick-change" barrel was affixed to the receiver at its base with the barrel protruding ahead, capped by a muzzle brake. A folding bipod was added to the end of the forestock for stabilization when firing. The weapon was fed by a 20-round magazines housing 7x57 Spanish Mauser cartridges and these were inserted into the top of the receiver. Due to the nature of the magazine fitting, the included iron rear and front sights were offset to allow for some aiming around the magazine installation. Overall length was 1,170 millimeters with the barrel measuring 630 millimeters. The internal action was gas-operated from an open bolt. Rate-of-fire was approximately 450 rounds per minute - the rather contained rate controlling barrel overheating. Muzzle velocity was 2,640 feet per second with an effective range out to 600 yards. Overall weight was in the vicinity of 8.4 kilograms. Unlike other light machine guns of the day, the C-1934 actually had provisions for selective fire, allowing for a safety, single-shot and full-automatic modes through a selector along the left side of the receiver. The charging handle was set to the right side.
In practice, the C-1934 was well-remembered and a low-cost substitute against the more expensive offerings of the day. This budgeted approach, however, did not interfere with the quality construction and function inherent in the series. Infantrymen appreciated the rather handy and portable nature of the weapon and their fellow soldiers found comfort in its repeat fire nature. The weapon could be field-stripped in a relatively short amount of time, useful for repairs, general maintenance and cleaning after use. The weapon was designed with a down-folding stock/rear receiver which facilitated removal of both the bolt and gas piston system. The C-1934 remained in frontline service until 1945.
The C-1934 was later refined in 1945 in an effort to replace the use of the outdated 7x57mm Spanish Mauser cartridge with the readily available American .30-06 (30-caliber M1906) cartridge. This became the improved Mendoza Model 45 that introduced a refined receiver, new muzzle brake design and a shorter barrel.
In the latter years of World War 2 and in the months following, Mendoza released yet another refinement of the C-1934 and this became the Mendoza "RM-2", also chambered for the .30-06 cartridge as in the Model 45. The weapon was developed in response to the American military need for more automatic weapons to stock the war effort. However, the RM-2 did not have the anticipated market impact for Mendoza for the war ended in 1945 and nullified any contractual purchases from the US. Subsequent attempts by Mendoza to market it to the Mexican military also failed and the restrictive Mexican export laws precluded it from being sold overseas. At least 50 evaluation models were known to be produced of this variant. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Mendoza C-1934 (M1934)
Light Machine Gun
Country of Origin: Mexico
Manufacturer: Productos Mendoza - Mexico
Initial Year of Service: 1934
Overall Length: 1170mm (46.06in)
Barrel Length: 630.00mm (24.80in)
Weight (Empty): 18.52lbs (8.40kg)
Cartridge: 7x57mm Mauser
Action: Gas-Operated; Open Bolt
Feed: 20-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 2,640ft/sec (805m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 450 rounds per minute
Range: 1,968ft (600m; 656yds)
Sights: Iron Front and Rear
Variants:
C-1934 - Base Series Designation; chambered for 7x57mm Spanish Mauser cartridge.
M1934 - Alternative Designation
Model 45 - Refined version; chambered for American .30-06 cartridge; shorter barrel; redesigned receiver; perforated muzzle brake; appearing 1945.
RM-2 - Wartime development based on the C-1934; chambered for .30-06 cartridge; sans quick-change barrel feature.
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