Hi Guys,

Were the British issued and using the .30 Cal MG by Oct 42?

Thanks

Al

Alan, as far as I know, the only authorised use of the US .30 cal M1919 was as a vehicle MG and thus in Lend Lease US vehicles. I don't think I've ever seen one in use by the Brits other than as an "acquired" vehicle version used in a non-standard manner. Could be worng, but I've never seen on in Brit service otherwise.

That said, as US vehicles were in UK service by 1942, there would ahve been .30 cals in them from US stocks.

Er, does that answer your question?

Paul

Hi Paul,

Many thanks, yip, more or less.

Al

I hope this is relevant. Right now I am building the AFV club Centurion Mk V NATO version. On reading refernce material I have found out that this was the first British made vehicle to get rid of the BESA machine gun in favor of the .30 cal co-axial. This was in the later 1950's. The rationale was to have a single standard gun which is why also that the main gun was the 105mm. Remember that Browning (FN) Belgium made the gun as well.

Mike T.

Hey Al,
FYI - according to Wikipedia, the .30 cal M1919 was built in the U.K. by BSA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_.30_Cal

Cheers

jjumbo

Were the BSA guns not .303 versions for aircraft use?

Hey Aidrian,
All the Wiki site mentions is that BSA producing the M1919.
Unfortunately it doesn't distinguish whether they were the aircraft version chambered to fire British .303 round or the vehicle/infantry version that was chambered for the U.S. .30-06 round.
I googled and could only find mention of BSA manufacturing them, not the exact details of type or ammunition used.
Maybe one of the more knowledgable guys can shed some light on the subject !!
Cheers

jjumbo

I believe this is correct. BSA was licensed to make the .303 version for British aircraft. I think all .30 cal chambered guns came from the US attached to the Lend Lease AFVs. Because the M1919 wasn't in the British Army war establishment there was no need for British production.

Paul

We use to have the .30 on the M-48 before we upgrade to the M-60 derivative. Seems to me there was an M-73 and M-263....been a long time since I played with that gun. But, you had to adjust headspace and timing on it vice the fixed head space and timing coaxial guns we now have. It was bear to keep working. Anyone have better recollection than me on the subject? I know I am off on the nomenclature numbers...
thanks
DJ