Dror LMG
Encyclopedia
The Dror light machine gun was an Israeli squad automatic weapon
based on the M1941 Johnson light machine gun.
In the years immediately preceding the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Haganah
(precursor to the Israel Defense Forces
) bought the manufacturing rights to the M1941 Johnson from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company
and developed the Dror in its own clandestine workshops.
Because large amounts of British rifle ammunition were available, the Pattern 1 Dror was initially chambered in .303 British
and had a side feeding tray magazine, similar to the original Johnson.
The Pattern 2 Dror was built by Israel Military Industries
(IMI) and was chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser
to take advantage of large quantities of recently imported Mauser ammunition. In this pattern, the magazines were mounted vertically under the receiver.
The Dror was air-cooled and recoil-operated, and was fed by 20-round box magazines which were slightly modified versions of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle magazines. It also had a quick interchangeable barrels capability.
Because of its oversensitivity to dusty environments, the Dror did not see combat service in the 1948-49 Israel War of Independence. Following combat simulation testing, the Israel Defense Forces
selected the FN Model D (a derivative of the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle) to replace the Dror in 1952.
Squad automatic weapon
A squad automatic weapon is a weapon used to give infantry squads or sections a portable source of automatic firepower. Weapons used in this role are selective-fire rifles, usually fitted with a bipod and heavier barrel to perform as Light machine guns...
based on the M1941 Johnson light machine gun.
In the years immediately preceding the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Haganah
Haganah
Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary organization in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948, which later became the core of the Israel Defense Forces.- Origins :...
(precursor to the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
) bought the manufacturing rights to the M1941 Johnson from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Winchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American maker of repeating firearms, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Winchester brand is today used under license by two subsidiaries of the Herstal Group, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and the Browning Arms Company of Morgan, Utah.-...
and developed the Dror in its own clandestine workshops.
Because large amounts of British rifle ammunition were available, the Pattern 1 Dror was initially chambered in .303 British
.303 British
.303 British, or 7.7x56mmR, is a .311 inch calibre rifle and machine gun cartridge first developed in Britain as a blackpowder round put into service in December 1888 for the Lee-Metford rifle, later adapted to use smokeless powders...
and had a side feeding tray magazine, similar to the original Johnson.
The Pattern 2 Dror was built by Israel Military Industries
Israel Military Industries
Israel Weapons Industries , formerly the "Magen" division of the Israel Military Industries Ltd. is an Israeli firearms manufacturer. In 2005, the Small Arms Division of IMI was privatized....
(IMI) and was chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser
7.92x57mm Mauser
The 8×57mm IS is a rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge. The 8×57mm IS was adopted by the German Empire in 1905, and was the German service cartridge in both World Wars...
to take advantage of large quantities of recently imported Mauser ammunition. In this pattern, the magazines were mounted vertically under the receiver.
The Dror was air-cooled and recoil-operated, and was fed by 20-round box magazines which were slightly modified versions of M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle magazines. It also had a quick interchangeable barrels capability.
Because of its oversensitivity to dusty environments, the Dror did not see combat service in the 1948-49 Israel War of Independence. Following combat simulation testing, the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
selected the FN Model D (a derivative of the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle) to replace the Dror in 1952.