Book Review—Death Rattle: The British Soldier’s Machine Gun 1870 - 2015

by
posted on June 13, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
death-rattle.jpg

"Whatever happens, we have got The Maxim gun, and they have not.“ — Hilaire Belloc, The Modern Traveller (1898)

John Hutchins’ book, Death Rattle, is the definitive treatise on the machine gun as used by British forces from 1870-2015. Gatlings, Gardners, STEN’s and Brens (as well as dozens of others) are covered in great detail and supported by shockingly clear and detailed photos of the guns and their accouterments. Close up detailed photos show how each gun functioned, and a substantive number of period photos show soldiers using the guns during their long and storied history.

This is not your typical “gun book” as you may be used to perusing. The introduction, “30,000 Operations,” gives the reader a look at many of the contemporary thoughts and reviews on the whole idea of the machine gun entering into the service of the British military. Essays on the technological advances and reactions as to the morality of the use of such a “weapon of mass destruction” provide an interesting commentary on the subject matter at hand. The closing chapter, “The Future,” also deals with the question of the 20th century arms race. Given chemical and nuclear choices, does the machine gun represent the furthest man is willing to take his technological advances in warfare? Interesting thoughts to ponder while also learning how Maxim’s 1881 design evolved into the Vickers—eventually the bane of trench-dwelling infantry during the Great War (1914-1918).

While most books of this nature have dwelled mostly on American Browning designs and Maxims, this is the first book to clearly delineate the evolution of British automatic firearms from their infancy to current use. From crew-served Gatlings to the Minimi, every model and type are thoroughly documented in the 512-page tome. Well indexed, this is a “must have” for any shooter or collector of these workhorses of the Empire. tommyatkinsmedia.co.uk

Latest

CZ 600 01
CZ 600 01

CZ 600+ Introduces Switch-Barrel Capability

In 2025, CZ USA expanded its 600 series rifle lineup with the CZ 600+, a design that delivers on the company's promise of a switch-barrel platform.

Preview: Savior Equipment Specialist Double Rifle Case

The Specialist Double Rifle Case from Savior Equipment is, as its name suggests, a rifle bag capable of carrying a pair of longarms simultaneously ...

Gun Of The Week: Traditions Outfitter G3 Pro

Join American Rifleman staff in this video to get a close look at a single-shot rifle design oriented toward today’s modern hunter, particularly those in states where straight-wall cartridges have been legalized for hunting.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 12, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Sellmark Ranch Opens, Offers Hunting & Shooting Opportunities To The Public

Sellmark Corporation, the parent company of several notable firearm industry brands, opened its 6,800-acre ranch to the public, which provides dedicated hunts, mile-long shooting ranges and more.

CZ Recalls All-American Trap Combo Shotguns

CZ-USA has identified a manufacturing defect affecting the barrel of certain CZ All-American Trap Combo shotguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.