Machine gun "Browning" М1919А4
A variant of an air-cooled machine gun appeared at the end of World War I as aviation Ml918. On its basis were created tank and aviation machine guns M1919. These machine guns had a heavy barrel with air cooling (length 457 mm) and a casing with oval-shaped ventilation holes (later replaced by round ones). Machine guns came from cloth tape having metal strips between the sockets. A pistol grip with an open trigger was installed on the back plate. The M1919 machine gun became the basis for a whole family of machine guns for various purposes, which has served for several decades.
The air-cooled machine gun worked quite reliably, so the cavalry took along with the 1922 BAR machine gun a modification of the M1919А2 tank machine gun, adapted for transport on a pack saddle and for mounting on a tripod light machine. The experience of cavalrymen led to the creation of the easel machine gun М1919A3. In 1934, the modification A4 appeared as a result of refinement. The barrel had the same length as the M1917, but its weight was 2,5 times larger.
At the end of the 30-s, the M1919-4 was accepted as a standard for all combat arms. Machine gun МХNUMХА1919 was produced in two versions: “for fixed installations” (for integrated anti-aircraft installations or tank) and basic for “mobile installations” (for tank pivot installations and easel installations). Unlike the M4 machine gun, the reciprocating spring was put on without a preliminary pressing on the guide rod, the head of the guide rod was not connected to the wall of the box, but passed out through the hole of the back plate. A folding front sight was attached to the front of the box, a sector sight at the rear. This almost halved the aiming line and, along with a decrease in weight, reduced the accuracy of shooting.
The Ml919 machine guns, like the M1917, initially did not have special fuses, but later on the right side of the box was installed a safety plate with a notch that held the bolt by the handle in the rear position. The marking on the left side of the box included the inscription BROWNING M1919A4 US Cal .30, the name of the manufacturer, the year of manufacture and the serial number.
The relatively agile machine gun М1919А4 in the infantry served as a company and battalion fire support weapon, which proved to be weapon high reliability. Its maneuverability of fire and compactness was determined by the length of the barrel, but at the usual range of use of the machine gun the ballistics М1919А4 was quite sufficient. The flame arrester M6 was superfluous. For carrying on the casing attached handle.
The machine gun was mounted on a field lightweight M2 tripod machine with one short front and two rear long sliding legs with openers and shoes, a screw mechanism of vertical fine pickup (from -21 to + 19 degrees) and a horizontal pickup mechanism (in the range ± 25 degrees) on the transverse There was a scale between the hind legs. The mechanisms were turned off for a free pickup. Attachments for the ammunition box were missing. Machine M2 in the American army lasted long enough. It should be noted that the Americans were aware of the obsolescence of the easel machine gun, as evidenced by the attempts to make copies of the uniform German machine gun MG.34 and MG.42 for their own cartridge. However, these attempts to create a more modern model, like some others, were unsuccessful, and the machine gun М1919А4 was in service until the 60-s.
As a tank, the M1919А4 got along with American tanks to a large number of countries, including the Soviet Union and the UK (7,62-mm Browns were installed on some British tanks). Tank МХNUMXА1919 was quite easily removed and in a short time was put on the machines carried in the tanks according to the instructions. In stationary course installations used a modification M4A1919 HB, having a heavy barrel. Modification A4 installed on light tanks М5 differed power system, as well as a special cocking slider, replacing the usual handle. In total, between 3 and 40, 45 “Browning” machine guns with air cooling, including aircraft, tank and infantry, were launched.
The interchangeability of parts within the Browning machine gun, the M1919, played an important role, however, the easel M1919А4 turned out to be not sufficiently universal for its time, and the Springfield 30-06 cartridge was powerful for a manual and light machine gun. Despite this, the M1919-4 was widely used during the Korean War of the 50-53. The marines МХNUMXА1919 used under the designation MK.4 Mod. 21. These machine guns were converted under the NATO cartridge 0x7,62.
The easel M1919 was supplied to many allies of the United States, some were used until the end of the 80s. This machine gun could be found in Vietnam, China, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Liberia, Israel, Cuba and Haiti. A large number of Browning M1919А4 machine guns, as well as its tank modifications, are still used in different parts of the world.
A rare photo of Soviet tank crews with the Stunt M3A1, in American headsets, with the Thompson M1928A1 submachine gun and the M1919A4 machine gun. The American technology was left fully leased by Lend-Lease - with equipment and even small arms for the crew.
Specifications of machine gun М1919А4:
Caliber - 7,62 mm;
Cartridge - .30-06 US (7,62x63);
The mass of the "body" machine gun - 14,05 kg;
Full length - 1041 mm;
Barrel length - 610 mm;
Barrel weight - 3,33 kg;
Grooves - 4 right;
Initial bullet speed - 853 m / s;
Sighting range - 2400 yards (2194,56 m);
Sighting line length - 354 mm;
Effective range - up to 1000 m;
Power system - cloth tape, 250 cartridges;
The rate of fire - 500 shots per minute;
Combat rate - 120 shots per minute;
Tripod weight - 6,35 kg.
The machine gunners of the US 77 Infantry Division who beat off the Japanese attack from the M1919 Browning machine gun on Le Shima Island (Okinawa), Japan
The air-cooled machine gun worked quite reliably, so the cavalry took along with the 1922 BAR machine gun a modification of the M1919А2 tank machine gun, adapted for transport on a pack saddle and for mounting on a tripod light machine. The experience of cavalrymen led to the creation of the easel machine gun М1919A3. In 1934, the modification A4 appeared as a result of refinement. The barrel had the same length as the M1917, but its weight was 2,5 times larger.
At the end of the 30-s, the M1919-4 was accepted as a standard for all combat arms. Machine gun МХNUMХА1919 was produced in two versions: “for fixed installations” (for integrated anti-aircraft installations or tank) and basic for “mobile installations” (for tank pivot installations and easel installations). Unlike the M4 machine gun, the reciprocating spring was put on without a preliminary pressing on the guide rod, the head of the guide rod was not connected to the wall of the box, but passed out through the hole of the back plate. A folding front sight was attached to the front of the box, a sector sight at the rear. This almost halved the aiming line and, along with a decrease in weight, reduced the accuracy of shooting.
American calculation of the machine gun Browning M1919A4 on Manila Street
The Ml919 machine guns, like the M1917, initially did not have special fuses, but later on the right side of the box was installed a safety plate with a notch that held the bolt by the handle in the rear position. The marking on the left side of the box included the inscription BROWNING M1919A4 US Cal .30, the name of the manufacturer, the year of manufacture and the serial number.
The relatively agile machine gun М1919А4 in the infantry served as a company and battalion fire support weapon, which proved to be weapon high reliability. Its maneuverability of fire and compactness was determined by the length of the barrel, but at the usual range of use of the machine gun the ballistics М1919А4 was quite sufficient. The flame arrester M6 was superfluous. For carrying on the casing attached handle.
An American machine gun crew, armed with an M7,62 1919 machine gun, is blocking the road in Belgium. Soldiers from the 1 Battalion, 157 Regiment, 45 Division, US Army
The machine gun was mounted on a field lightweight M2 tripod machine with one short front and two rear long sliding legs with openers and shoes, a screw mechanism of vertical fine pickup (from -21 to + 19 degrees) and a horizontal pickup mechanism (in the range ± 25 degrees) on the transverse There was a scale between the hind legs. The mechanisms were turned off for a free pickup. Attachments for the ammunition box were missing. Machine M2 in the American army lasted long enough. It should be noted that the Americans were aware of the obsolescence of the easel machine gun, as evidenced by the attempts to make copies of the uniform German machine gun MG.34 and MG.42 for their own cartridge. However, these attempts to create a more modern model, like some others, were unsuccessful, and the machine gun М1919А4 was in service until the 60-s.
As a tank, the M1919А4 got along with American tanks to a large number of countries, including the Soviet Union and the UK (7,62-mm Browns were installed on some British tanks). Tank МХNUMXА1919 was quite easily removed and in a short time was put on the machines carried in the tanks according to the instructions. In stationary course installations used a modification M4A1919 HB, having a heavy barrel. Modification A4 installed on light tanks М5 differed power system, as well as a special cocking slider, replacing the usual handle. In total, between 3 and 40, 45 “Browning” machine guns with air cooling, including aircraft, tank and infantry, were launched.
The interchangeability of parts within the Browning machine gun, the M1919, played an important role, however, the easel M1919А4 turned out to be not sufficiently universal for its time, and the Springfield 30-06 cartridge was powerful for a manual and light machine gun. Despite this, the M1919-4 was widely used during the Korean War of the 50-53. The marines МХNUMXА1919 used under the designation MK.4 Mod. 21. These machine guns were converted under the NATO cartridge 0x7,62.
The easel M1919 was supplied to many allies of the United States, some were used until the end of the 80s. This machine gun could be found in Vietnam, China, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Liberia, Israel, Cuba and Haiti. A large number of Browning M1919А4 machine guns, as well as its tank modifications, are still used in different parts of the world.
Specifications of machine gun М1919А4:
Caliber - 7,62 mm;
Cartridge - .30-06 US (7,62x63);
The mass of the "body" machine gun - 14,05 kg;
Full length - 1041 mm;
Barrel length - 610 mm;
Barrel weight - 3,33 kg;
Grooves - 4 right;
Initial bullet speed - 853 m / s;
Sighting range - 2400 yards (2194,56 m);
Sighting line length - 354 mm;
Effective range - up to 1000 m;
Power system - cloth tape, 250 cartridges;
The rate of fire - 500 shots per minute;
Combat rate - 120 shots per minute;
Tripod weight - 6,35 kg.
Information