Browning Machine Gun
From Graces Guide
A series of machine guns derived from the original designs of John Moses Browning
- M1917 Browning machine-gun, a US made weapon, did not enter production in time to see widespread service during the First World War. In the Second World War and the Korean War, however, the water-cooled M1917 Browning was the standard US Army "heavy" machine-gun, while an air cooled variant, the M1919 was categorized as a "light" machine-gun, which was fired from a lightweight tripod. The M1917 used a heavy and finely adjustable mount which, coupled with its water-cooled barrel, enabled it to carry out such activities as sustained fire, indirect fire and overhead fire, to very long ranges.
- M1919A4 Browning was an air-cooled adaptation of the M1917. To facilitate operation without liquid cooling, a heavier barrel was fitted. This was capable of absorbing more heat; furthermore, as the recoil system of operation employed by the gun is founded on the rearward movement of the barrel when a cartridge is discharged, it had the effect of reducing the rate of fire. It fired .30 ammunition. The M1919A4 was officially categorized as a "light" machine-gun by the US Army. These designations reflected the tactical employment envisioned for the two weapons, rather than their calibre, which was identical. The US Army employed the M1919A4 in large numbers during the Second World War and the Korean War as a company-level support weapon. In this role it was fired from the light M2 tripod. Others were employed as flexibly mounted weapons on armoured vehicles.
- 0.303 Browning was an adaption of the American design. It was adopted by the RAF in 1937. During the Second World War the Browning armed a variety of British aircraft, either mounted in the wings or in power-operated turrets. Most .303 Brownings were produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company, although some were produced by subcontractors.
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