Automatic rifle "Browning M1918" was designed in 1917. Engineers, led by a gunsmith, after whom the model is named, took into account the flaws of the weapons used during the First World War. First of all, the changes affected the fire mode controller and the removable magazine, which were not on previous models. In army units, this weapon was transformed into a light machine gun with the maneuverability of a rifle served by one fighter.
general information
The design of the Browning Automatic Rifle machine gun (BAR) is based on the Vickers-Berthier system of the 1908 version with some modifications. The barrel in the box is fixed with thread, which does not allow for quick replacement of the element in combat conditions. The same unit was equipped with a smooth muzzle extension cord type sleeve. Initially, the channel had five, and then four grooves to the left, the stroke of which was 254 mm.
Automation operated by exhausting exhaust gases from the stem channel. The working chamber is of a closed configuration, the regulator has three holes, is screwed directly in front of the guide tube. On it is attached a swivel clamp and a fore-end made of wood with a notch.
Shutter mechanism
The Browning M1918 barrel channel is locked using a lever fixed on hinges to the ear of the middle part of the shutter. In the upper part of the milled receiver is a special protrusion. The shutter is attached to the frame by an articulated earring. In the guide compartment is located combat return spring. The shutter, when moving the movable assembly forward, reached the hemp of the trunk and stopped. The frame continued to move, turning the earring while lifting the back of the locking lever.
The supporting surface of the handle is wound behind the protrusion of the receiver, after the shot the frame is thrown back, lowering the lever and unlocking the barrel. The insert under the axis of the earring prevents early opening, preventing the earring from dropping until the bolt frame leaves its place. The sleeve is removed by means of a gate ejector and a hard reflector of the trigger assembly. The frame then hits the buffer. When firing, the loading handle remains static.
Trigger system
The design of this unit in the "Browning M 1918" provides for the conduct of single and automatic fire. After locking the bore, the liner strikes the firing pin in the bolt. The locking lever before closing prevents the passage of the hammer, and after opening is retracted. Thus, a set of the above parts forms a kind of automatic fuse.
The trigger mechanism is equipped with a buffer spring mounted on the frame. It is located in the middle of the trigger box. After pressing the trigger, the disconnector connected to it raises the front edge of the lever, removing the bolt frame from the combat position.
"Browning M1918 BAR": a description of the remaining details
The transfer fuse check box is located on the left side behind the starter clip. In the frontal position, the disconnector rises and jumps from the release lever. He then returns to its original position, intercepting the shutter frame. When the flag is in the vertical position, the fuse pin limits the rotation of the trigger lever. This allows you to prevent disconnection to repeat the automatic cycle. If you turn the element back, the trigger is blocked by a check.
"Browning M1918" is equipped with a hinged-type frame sight, which is mounted on the receiver. The semi-pistol-type stock is put on a shank in the form of a tube and fixed with a screw, reinforced with a metal nape. The sling attachment is attached to it from below.
Food is provided from a two-row box-type store with staggered cartridges. The clip latch is controlled by a button located inside the trigger guard. This allowed the shooter to accelerate the reload to depress the latch using the finger of his working hand. The soldier carried spare stores in canvas tarp pouches on his belt. In total, the design of the machine gun under consideration includes 125 parts, 11 of which are springs.
Specifications
The following are the options for the Browning Automatic Rifle small arms :
- Modification - 1918.
- The type of caliber is 7.62.
- The main charge is the cartridge 30-06.
- Weight with a full clip - 1.8 kg.
- Total length - 1.19 m.
- The number of rifling 5/4.
- Ammunition launch speed - 823 m / second.
- Rate of fire - 600 volleys per minute.
- Sighting range - 1460 m.
- Cartridge capacity - 20 rounds.
Interesting Facts
"Winchester" and "Colt" finalized the design of the "Browning M 1918", providing a good finish for the weapon. Its weight made it possible to produce lines with good accuracy, however, only from the stop. The combat rate of fire was 60-180 volleys per minute, with the possibility of rapid replacement of stores.
In 1922, an improved version was released under the index 1918A. The main difference is the presence of an “Enfield” M1917 type sight.
Just before the American army entered World War II, a radically modernized version of the M1918A2 was adopted. The modes of automatic and single fire were replaced by the possibility of continuous firing at different rates (from 300 to 450 volleys per minute).
After that, the Browning M1918 BAR of early releases returned to the plants. There, the weapon was modified to the level of M19182A. Since 1942, butts of plastic reinforced with a nape and a metal plate began to be mounted on machine guns.
In order to defuse the weapon in question, it is necessary to disconnect the magazine by pressing the latch button. Then take the charging handle back. Through the nest of the receiver inspect the chamber. The front handle is returned to the front charging position, pull the trigger.
Incomplete disassembly
The following are the partial disassembly manipulations of the Browning M1918:
- The submachine gun is discharged.
- Turn the flag of the contactor (the element is removed) to the lower position.
- Disconnect the pistol grip and trigger box.
- Take the charging handle slightly back until the axes of the earring and the hole on the box are aligned.
- The axis is pushed out, the loading handle is separated.
- Remove the reclusive liner.
- Take out a core of a returnable combat spring.
- Omit the tube closure flag.
- The flag is removed, the element with the bipod detaches.
- The shutter frame is removed by moving forward.
- The latch is retracted to the left, after which the shutter is removed.
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
Browning FN Weapon
1900 type combat revolvers were no longer relevant. The new model was designed by the legendary gunsmith John Browning. The gun is designed for a cartridge of 7.65 mm, which was developed by him in 1896. The model replaced the obsolete predecessor, combining compactness, small weight, excellent balance and ergonomic shape. In the complex, the parameters of the pistol, along with an affordable price, brought enormous popularity to modifications on the civilian weapons market.
Description
The following are the characteristics of this sample:
- Length / thickness / height - 163/22/115 mm.
- The barrel is 122 mm long.
- The number of grooves in the bore is 6.
- Mass with an empty store - 625
- Ammunition launch speed - 270 m / s.
- The lethal effect of a bullet - from 10 meters the charge pierced four 25-mm boards placed between themselves at a distance of 25 mm.
- Cartridge caliber - 7.65 mm Browning.
The cylindrical brass sleeve has a special groove. A slightly larger diameter is provided on its bottom than the sleeve itself. A central ignition type capsule is also installed there. Ammunition mass - 7.6 g, bullet length - 11.7 mm, its diameter - 7.85 mm.
Application
The gun "Browning FN" in June 1900 was adopted by officers of the armed forces of Belgium. A year later, the gendarmerie began to use the weapon, and a little later - gunners and non-commissioned officers. After some time, the pistol entered the army of Denmark, Norway, Finland and some other countries. Also, "Browning FN" was widely used as a civilian weapon. Such popularity is due to high quality, good lethal force and compactness.