Imagine soldiers storing gunpowder and ammunition here at Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin. This former gunpowder magazine whispers tales of a time when peace was a commodity to be protected. Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin translates to Madsen’s peacetime gunpowder magazine. It is named after the Danish Minister of War Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen.
These magazines were built as part of Copenhagen’s West Rampart between 1888 and 1892. The six Madsensk fredskrudtmagasiner were added between 1903 and 1905. These larger magazines replaced the gunpowder magazines on Amager. Those were considered dangerously close to Copenhagen.
Each Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin has six storage casemates built into the rampart. A connecting corridor links them. Thirty-six soldiers could sleep in each casemate. The purpose of Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin was to store gunpowder, cartridges, and grenades during peacetime. In times of war, ammunition was moved to defense facilities. When the magazines were empty, they could house soldiers.
The construction of the West Rampart and Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin sparked debate. The Danish Parliament had agreed not to expand Copenhagen’s fortifications. Opponents realized the magazines could house the rampart’s garrison during wartime.
Interestingly, Madsen himself is also associated with the Madsen machine gun. This light machine gun was designed by Julius A. Rasmussen and Theodor Schouboe. They proposed it to Colonel Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen. The Royal Danish Army adopted it in 1902. It became the world’s first true light machine gun produced in quantity. The Madsen machine gun was sold in 12 calibers to over 34 countries. It saw extensive combat for over 100 years.
The design dates back to the 1880s with the Danish Self Loading rifle M.1888. Captain Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen and weapons technician Alexander Bjarnov began working on a recoil-operated self-loading rifle in 1883. Madsen developed the idea and Rasmussen made the weapons.
In 1898, investors formed a company called Dansk Riffel Syndikat. They bought the patent rights from Madsen and Rasmussen. Madsen left the project to become Minister of War. In 1899, Lieutenant Jens Schouboe became the manager. The Madsen rifle is sometimes referred to as the Schouboe rifle. Schouboe patented the design for the Madsen machine gun in 1901.
The Madsen machine gun has a complex operating cycle. It uses a mixed recoil-operated locking system. After firing a round, the barrel and bolt recoil backward. The bolt is then cammed upward away from the breech. An extractor ejects the empty case through the bottom of the receiver. The bolt pivots downward. A cartridge-rammer lever loads a fresh cartridge.
Thirty-four countries bought the Madsen machine gun before and after World War I. The Madsen was expensive but reliable. The Imperial Russian Army bought 1,250 Madsens for the cavalry. The German Army deployed the Madsen in 7.92 mm caliber in 1914.
Today, one of the peacetime gunpowder magazines on the West Rampart has been converted into a café. It is called Krudtcaféen. So, while Madsensk fredskrudtmagasin once stored gunpowder for potential conflict, part of it now offers a space for peaceful relaxation.