Introduction
Greetings and salutations, friends!
Quite some time ago, when the Even fight: UK vs Italy event dropped, many of us were disappointed to learn that the long-awaited Lewis gun was added not as a tech tree item, as many had hoped, but as a single example event gun.
Within an hour, I had written a suggestion, a appeal, to rectify this grave mistake.
Our pleas were heard, and our concerns were forwarded. A victory in and of itself — however, two major issues remain unresolved, now 108 days later.
- We have yet to see a Lewis gun in the Tech Tree.
And,
- The reply was rather vague as to which Lewis would be added.
“At least one variant” is not very specific. From day one, I have been concerned that this could mean something like an aircraft Lewis being pushed into the tech tree slot — when that space rightfully belongs to a more commonly used ground-service infantry variant.
So, here I am, putting forward what I believe to be the best option and solution to the issue of a tech tree Lewis gun:
The Lewis Mk I*
What is the Lewis Mk I*…?
A Mk I*:
A regular Mk I:
Going by official designations at the time, there was only ever a “Mark I” — no such thing formally as a Mark I*. As far as I can tell, official records make little to no distinction between the two patterns, and both existed under the same name, alongside each other, in service.
They used the same parts and the same ammunition, so the need to separate them would indeed have been irrelevant in service. Any armourer equipped to service the Mk I would have been equally capable of servicing the Mk I*. This explains why the distinction was never formally emphasised.
The only real difference between the Mk I and the Mk I* is the slightly different buttstock. On the Mk I*, this includes an oil bottle on top and an information disc on the right side. The carry handle underneath the gun could exist on both patterns.
The name “Mark I*” is therefore not a popular or Wikipedia-level designation, but an archival Ordnance classification — the pattern naming used by the Royal Armouries.
Here is Jonathan Ferguson referring in passing to the distinctions between the Mark I and Mark I*, based on the addition of the oil bottle (5:36):
https://youtu.be/d0T_ZhiVgUA?si=gF27XZZj9-YBG3KG&t=336
Why the Mk I*, specifically…?
There are three main reasons why it must be the Mk I* Lewis that receives the tech tree slot first.
- First, as stated previously, a true infantry pattern of the Lewis deserves the BR III tech tree slot over any other pattern.
No converted aircraft Lewis or Home Guard stopgap solution should take precedence over a variant used by the regular army in frontline service.
- Second, the prominence of the Commonwealth pattern of the Lewis makes it far more deserving of a BR III tech tree slot than the US pattern. Do we really need a fourth US Tech Tree machine gun in BR III?
For the sake of both historical representation and tech tree diversity, the Commonwealth Lewis is the obvious choice.
- Third, this is the simplest solution from a development standpoint — because the Mk I* already exists in the game.
It currently exists as a BR III premium machine gun for the Soviets. Reusing the same model would save development time, and this arrangement already makes sense: the Soviets have it as a lend-lease Premium, while the Commonwealth/Allies receive it as a standard Tech Tree weapon — which is entirely appropriate, considering it is their weapon first and foremost.
We also have clear and recent precedents showing that this approach is already accepted practice.
The KE7, copied from the Japanese Tech Tree to the Axis one:
The Command tank version of Jagdpanther, was already a Premium vehicle before this was added to the Tech Tree:
If copy-pasting is acceptable for vehicles and weapons players did not ask for, then it should certainly be acceptable here — where the demand is overwhelming, the solution is obvious, and the historical justification is rock-solid.
Stats
Identical to the Event Lewis, which is itself almost identical to the Soviet Premium.
Do not try to be clever.
Do not try to be unique or experimental.
Just give us a Lewis.
- Aye.
- No (please explain why below).
Conclusion
To summarise:
- The community was promised a Lewis gun variant in the tech tree.
- The Lewis Mk I* is a true infantry pattern, widely used in frontline service.
- It represents Commonwealth forces properly at BR III.
- It already exists in the game, minimising development effort.
- There are clear precedents for this exact approach.
The Lewis gun is one of the most iconic weapons of the Commonwealth forces, even if less so in the Second World War. Locking it behind a one-off example within event was a mistake — and it is a mistake that can be easily corrected.
Adding the Lewis Mk I* to the tech tree would not only fulfil a promise made to the community, but would also improve historical authenticity, faction identity, and player satisfaction.
Please — let the Lewis finally take its rightful place in the tech tree.
The End
If you think that the name for the current event ‘Lewis .303’ is awful, like me (it really should be called “Lewis Mk I”), go to this other suggestion of mine on the topic of British Small Arms names.
As always, thanks for reading, and remember: pans go on top.
Signed,
Lt. Ogge King, 3rd Experimental Tea Infusion and Small Arms Appreciation Company, Home Guard (Reserve),
God save the King.
I don’t use my Stingers, I prefer the Browning.