US arms

[Landsturm]

I keep asking for information for Allied and Central power`s weaponry... This time no information is needed (I got plenty of it), just... does anyone have photograph of Browning automatic rifle in action or in the field. I don`t believe I have seen any or the Winchester M1897 shotgun.

IN WORLD WAR I OF COURSE, I KNOW PLENTY OF WW2 PICS...

[mcderms]

The BAR did not see active service in WW1. The closest it got was that US units were training with the weapon in 1918.

[Arnie]

Some BARs were issued in time to see service at the front, the first occasion being when Lieutenant Val A. Browning of the U.S. 79th Division, John Browning's son, fired the gun against German lines on September 13, 1918. Browning Automatic Rifles continued to be used by the 79th through the Meuse-Argonne offensive and in the capture of Montfaucon.

The Gun was designed to provide 'walking fire' that is the gun was fired from the hip on every right foot. as the troops advanced. The idea being that very fourth man armed with a BAR would supply devastating suppressive fire.

Because of its walking role the original gun did not have a bipod although some issued to the US marines did. All were fitted with a bipod in later mode

[Arnie]

(Top portion) World War I Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun with M1907 sling.

(Left portion) Typical receiver markings.

(Right portion) Underside of WWI issue Winchester Model 97 Gun Barrel

[Dani Alfonsea]

Hello,

Regarding the "walking fire" function of the BAR... as a matter of fact, the corresponding BAR ammunition waistbelt had a holder, like a metal cup, where the weapon's butt could be fitted, in order to keep it steady when firing. A fairly curious design, to my knowledge with no parallel!

Obviously the idea was not very sound, because it was soon abandoned, and in subsequent developments an additional magazine pocket substituted the spring.

HTH,

Dani

[Landsturm]

So, no "in the field" -photos available?

[Guest shenkursk]

Landsturm:

Ask... and you shall receive.

1- US Browning Automatic Rifle Gunner In Trench RPPC

Rare view of a BAR-toting, helmeted soldier in the a rough trench section. ID'ed on back as "Cpl. Frank Curtis [?]. Contrast a bit light. II-

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...87/V15687-1.jpg

2- Armed Doughboy Squad: Springfields and BAR RPPC

RPPC of "1st Platoon, 1st Squad" armed with rifles with bayonets. Fellow on left proudly displays his Browning Automatic Rifle. II

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...62/V15662-2.jpg

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...89/V15689-1.jpg

I am sure a number of these are post-11/11/18 posed shots, since several show troops with shoulder insignia, but here a few more anyway:

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...88/V15688-1.jpg

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...45/V19145-1.jpg

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...46/V19146-2.jpg

http://www.advanceguardmilitaria.com/pictu...55/V20955-1.jpg

I am sorry to say that finding the original .jpg images of these without the "please don't steal my photo and auction it on ebay" watermark is unlikely. We only recently started saving the raw data for images before the watermark was applied for catalog purposes.

When I searched the record, I found no images with trench shotguns.

There is also some mention in period literature of Marines with Chauchats stealing BAR's from negligent 36th Division gunners who set them down to answer nature's call when they served together late in the war. (Mont Faucon, I think?)

Best regards,

Jeff

[Landsturm]

Thank you VERY much, Jeff!

Exactly the kind of material I was looking for!

There is also some mention in period literature of Marines with Chauchats stealing BAR's from negligent 36th Division gunners who set them down to answer nature's call when they served together late in the war. (Mont Faucon, I think?)

Funny story... About the connection between 36th, BARs and the marines I`ve read from Mark R. Henry`s excellent book "US Marine Corps during World War 1 1917-1918, that Browning-rifle (BAR is a post-war term) was "obtained" by Marines from 36th (texas) Division during October 1918 Blanc Mont offensive, but these had to be returned to the Texans before the Marines were allowed to withdraw from the sector. Limited number were formally issued to the Marine brigade in late October, in time for the Meuse-Argonne offensive.