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Section I
INTRODUCTION



Figure 1 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M1917A1

1. SCOPE.

a. This manual is published for the information and guidance of Ordnance maintenance personnel. It contains detailed instructions for inspection, disassembly, assembly, maintenance, and repair of the following materiel.

GUN, machine, cal. .30, Browning, M1917A1, water-cooled.
GUN, machine, cat .30, Browning, M1919A4, fixed and flexible.
GUN, machine, cal. 30, Browning, M1919A5. fixed.
GUN, machine, cat .30, Browning, M1919A6, flexible.
GUN, machine cat 30, Browning, MZ, aircraft, fixed and flexible.
MOUNT, tripod, machine gun, cal .30 M2.
MOUNT, tripod, machine gun, cal 30 M1917A1
MACHINE, belt filling, Browning, M1918.

b. These instructions are supplementary to those in the Field Manuals and Technical Manuals prepared for the using arms. This manual does not contain information which is intended primarily for the using arm, since such information is available to Ordnance main- tenance personnel in lOO-series TM's or FM's.

c. This manual diflers from TM 9-1205, dated 4 April 1942, in the following respects:

(1) The following obsolete guns have been omitted;

Browning machine gun, M1917, water-cooled.
Browning machine gun, M1918, aircraft fired and flexible.
Browning machine gun, M1919, aircraft, fixed and flexible.
Browning machine gun, M1919AZ, fixed and flexible.
Browning machine gun, YZ, heavy barrel, fixed and flexible (never standardized).
U.S. machine gun, cat .22, MI,

(2) The following guns and mounts have been added:

Browning machine gun, M1919A5, fixed.
Browning machine gun, M1919A6, flexible.
Tripod mount cal, ,30, MZ.
Tripod mount eel .30, M1917A1.

(3) Trainers an not included in this manual as this information may he found in pertinent Field Manuals.

(4) information has been added on the shuttle-type belt filling machine.

(5) Sections have been added on mechanical functioning, disassembly and assembly, and cleaning and lubrication.

2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OP GUNS AND MOUNTS.

a. The cal. .30 Browning machine gurls (all types) as listed above are web or link belt feed, recoil-operated, water- or air-cooled. The functional mechanisms of the guns covered by this manual are relatively identical. This type weapon, with its various models, is designed to fire at materiel, aircraft, personnel, or vehicles; to fire from tripod, bipod, antiaircraft mount or various vehicle mounts or aircraft and can be adapted to either fixed or flexible mountings. These guns, with the exception of the M2 Aircraft Gun have single- feed bolts and are fed from the left side; the M2 Aircraft Gun has an alternate feed bolt, and can be fed from the left or right side when so assembled.

b. The cal. .30 Machine Gun Tripod Mount MZ (fig. 8) is a portable, folding tripod and is intended for ground fire It mounts a cal. 30 M1919A4 Flexible Gun.

c. The cal. .30 Machine Gun Tripod Mount M1917A1 (fig. 9) is a portable, folding tripod. The mount is intended for ground fire but can be used up to a limited angle for antiaircraft fire. it mounts a cat .30 M1917A1 Gun.

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF MODELS.

a, Browning Machine Gun, Cat .30, M1917A1 (fig. 1). This gun is a water-cooled gun and is designed to provide for quick mount- ing and dismounting The elevating stem of the elevating mechanism is retained in a vertical position and keyed to prevent rotation. The principal features of the M1917A1 Gun are as follows:

(1) The bottom plate D-35392 includes all the pieces of the stirrup plus the mounting bracket

(2) A new design of belt feed lever and pivot of the type used in the cat 30 Browning Machine Gun M1919A4, was made because of the relocating of the ammunition chest on the ground rather than on the tripod. This relocating resulted in a greater increase in load to be hfted by the feeding mechanism of the gun.

(3) An improved latch assembly is used with a new type of spring,

(4) Sights are graduated for the use of either M1 ball ammunition or M2 ammunition.

(5) Guns modified at a later date are equipped with cover catch assemblies to retain the cover in a fixed position, whenever it is opened.



Figure 2 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M1919A4, Fixed


Figure 3 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M1919A4, Flexible


Figure 4 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M1919A5, Fixed


Figure 5 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M1917A6, Flexible


Figure 6 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M2, Aircraft, Fixed


Figure 7 - Browning Machine Gun, Cal .30, M2, Aircraft, Flexible


Figure 8 - Machine Gun Tripod Mount, Cal .30, M2


Figure 9 - Machine Gun Tripod Mount, Cal .30, M1917A1


Figure 10 - Gun Elevator, Cal .30, Assembled to Machine Gun Tripod Mount, Cal .30, M1917A1


Figure 11 - Browning Belt Filling Machine, Cal .30, M1918 - Needle Type Showing Belt in Position for Loading.

(6) A tension spring is in the rear sight assembly for the purpose of damping the vibration of the sight.

(7) Later modifications brought about the following additional changes:

(a) A steel end cap in place of the bronze end caps currently used.

(b) A steel trunnion block in place of the currently used bronze trunnion block.

NOTE: Both the steel trunnion block and steel end cap are inter- changeable with the bronze parts formerly used.

(c) An improved steam tube assembly of the type used in the cat .50, water-cooled Browning Machine Gun M2.

(d) A new cartridge bunter plate of the type used in the cat 30 Browning Machine Gun M1919A4 is of cylindrical rather then of flat type

(e) An improved noncorrosive muzzle gland assembly in the end cap is used.

(f) A recoil plate in the bolt which is similar to those now used in the cat 30 Browning Machine Gun Ma and the cal 50 M2.

(g) A rear sight graduated for M2 bah ammunition.

(h) A cover catch assembly is assembled to an guns.

h. Browning Machine Gun Cal. .30, M19L9A4 (fig. 2 and 3).

(1) The M1919A4 Gun is an air-cooled gun incorporating the following features:

(a) The barrel is 24 inches in length. The bores of the rear barrel bearing and front barrel bearing are the same A separate front barrel bearing plug is supplied for both M1 and MZ ammunition.

(b) The barrel jacket is 19.OS inches in length.

(c) The belt feed lever group assembly provides for the assembly and disassembly of the belt feed lever from the top of the cover The belt feed lever pivot bushing forms the bearing for the belt feed lever pivot and is locked to the cover by the bushing nut A cotter pin is provided to retain the pivot in the assembled position.

(d) The rear sight a mounted on the cover latch and is equipped with a regraduated leaf for a sight radius of 14 inches, a rear sight slide mil scale, and a windage scale The sight is hinged so as to fold for convenient packing.

(e) The front sight is rigid and assembled to the trunnion block of the gun,

(f) A number of these guns are modified by the addition of a cover catch assembly.

(2) The M1919A4 of later and present manufacture is identical with those of previous manufacture except for the following changes:

(a) The flexible back plate assembly has been modified by replacing the tapered buffer plug, buffer ring, and buffer fil'ler with an assembly consisting of a buffer plug, buffer ring, and buffer disks. This construction elirninates "freezing" of the ring and plug, which condition retards the action of the buffer spring

(b) The bottom plate is of a new design which eliminates the separate stirrup elevating bracket and bottom plate of the previous models by having the three components integral with the precent bottom plate. The bottom plate is riveted to the receiver and provided with a recess to locate the machine gun in the pack hanger,

(c) The belt feed lever is held in position by a cotter pin in place of a spring cap. The pivot fits tightly in the belt feed lever as its bearing is in the bushing The belt feed lever pivot is held in place by a nut assembly consisting of a belt feed lever pivot nut screw and lock washer In a previous mddification, the old belt feed lever pivot pin and belt feed lever bushing were also used for the group assembly.

(d) The latch handle is riveted to the latch to facilitate the manual release of the cover latch. The handle replaces the latch knob used in previous models. Latest revision has made the latch handle an integral part of the latch.

(e) The rear sight base is mounted on a bracket which is fastened to the left side plate of the receiver. The graduations for range have been increased.

(f) The front sight is hinged to permit folding for convenience in packing the gun.

(g) The trunnion block is equipped with cartridge bunter plate to resist wear at that point

(h) The cover group has been modified so that the belt feed lever action will be more free.

(i) The driving spring load was decreased from 18 pounds to 14 pounds to insure sufficient recoil of the bolt so that the next round might be fed.

(j) The flexible back plate component parts were changed to prevent "freezing" in the buffer tube

(k) The extractor was redesigned so as to insure proper cartridge extraction.

(1) The back plate was further modified by having plastic grips replace the former aluminum grips. (par. 3 b (3) (c)).

(m) The fixed back plate was redesigned so that the buffer tube is horizontal.

(3) The latest manufacture includes the above modifications plus the additional ones which follow:

(a) The casing assembly has been rnodified 90 that the barrel jacket is now soldered to the casi.ng. NOTE: Since 1AB modification, barrel jackets are not to be disassembled in field stripping.

(b) The latch stop screw has been eliminated as a result of the latch stop becoming an integral part of the back plate.

(c) The back plate group has been further modified by making the grip an integral part of the back plate and of cast steel.

(d) The front barrel bearing has been rnodified so as to con~~- date the former front barrel bearing plug lock band and plug, and has made them an Integral part of the new barrel bearing.

(e) The bolt latch and bolt latch rivet have been eliminated completely.

(f) The cover has been redesigned so as to include the cover plate and cover extractor cam as integral parts of the cover.

(g) The back plate has been further modified so that it now resembles the aluminum-type grip, and has the extensions on the bottom of the grip which are adaptable to hold the grip to its mount when being moved.

(h) The trigger has been modified so that a lobe has been added to the sear end of the trigger to facilitate better functioning.

c. Browning Machine Gun Cal. .30, M1919AS (fig. 4). This gun is identical with the M1919A4, but has been modified so as to function in only fixed mountings where space is li.mited. It differs from the M1919A4 Gun as follows:

(1) It has no front or rear sight group.

(2) A retracting slide is assembled to the right side of the gun to complement fixed operation.

(3) A cover detent group is assembled to the left side of the gun in place of the cover catch group on the right side of the M1919A4 Gun.

d. Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .30, M1919A6 (fig. 5). This gun is basically the same as the M1919A4 Gun of latest design as described in paragraph 3 h, and is adaptable for mounting on either tripod or bipod mount It was designed to be used solely as a light flexible weapon. When mounted on bipod, if necessary, the bipod legs can be folded to the rear, and the bipod rest legs used as a front support This gun differs from the M1919A4 Gun as follows:

(1) The front barrel bearing has been modified so as to facilitate mounting of the bipod.

(2) A bipod assembly is mounted to the front barrel bearing.

(3) Recent guns have still a different front barrel bearing with a booster cap and clip assembled.

(4) The barrel jacket has been modified to adapt the use of the new front barrel bearing

(5) The barrel has been modified by making it lighter end adaptable to the new bearing

(6) The barrel plunger spring is hghter, making bolt retracting easier

(7) A carrying handle has been added to the barrel jacket to facihtate the handling of a hot gun.

(8) The cover latch has been modified, making it easier to un- latch the cover

(9) A metal shoulder stock is mounted to the back plate to facihtate flexible firing of the gun.

e. Browning Machine Gun, Cat .30, M2, Aircraft (fig. 6 and 7). This gun is recoil-operated, belt-fed, and air-cooled, and has chracteristics primarily identical with those models previously described. A metallic link, disintegrating belt a used in an firing. This gun is designed for both fixed and flexible use and has an alternate feed bolt by which, by repositioning some of the component parts, the gun may be fed from either the right or left side as desired. Fundamentally the fixed and flexible guns are the same except for those parts which convert the gun into either fixed or flexible type.

(1) FIXED GUN. The fixed gun is installed in the fuselage of the aircraft immediately forward of the pilot, or mounted within the wings An operating slide connects with the bolt by means of the bolt stud, and a cable may be attached to permit remote control When operated by hand, the operating slide retracts the breech mechanism for loading unloading and reduction of stoppages in firing The slide can be fully retracted and retained in this position by turning the handle to the right or left. Other characteristics are:

(a) The fixed gun is normally assembled with a back plate having a horizontal buffer, although guns of early manufacture came equipped with a vertical buffer where hmited mounting space necessitated this design for proper adaptation. The back plate in either case doer not have spade grips.

(b) The fixed gun, when mounted adjacent to the airplane engine, is fired through the plane of propeller rotation by a synchronizing system which times the fire in relation to the rotating propeller blader This mechanism consists of a synchronizer impulse generator unit which is an integral part of the airplane engine, a trigger motor mounted to the gun casing and an electrical control unit or solenoid. The impulse generator is connected with the trigger motor by a semi- flexible tube and wire assembly, and the firing of the gun is controlled by a switch. The gun is fired by a trigger motor, timed to the revolu- tion of the propeller.

(c) The fire of wing-mounted guns is controlled by solenoid and operated by a switch usually mounted on a control stick of the airplane. These guns deliver complete automatic fire.

(2) FLEXI8LE GUN. The flexible gun is installed in the fuselage and hasa retracting slide normally located on the right side of the gun. This connects with the bolt by means of the retracting slide bolt stud. This adaptation of the retracting slide allows for fire and stoppage control by hand. The retracting slide handle remains stationary and forward while the weapon is firing, thus eliminating ah moving parts outside the gun casing. The flexible gun, in addition to the retracting slide, is provided with a back plate having horizontal buffer, double spade grips, and a hand trigger. This gun so equipped delivers full automatic fire.

f. Machine Gun Tripod Mount, Cal. .30 M2 (fig. 8).

(1) This a a tripod mount incorporating the following featurea It consists of three tubular steel legs articulating in a tripod head. the two rear legs being loined and additionally supported by a trav- ersing bar forming a simple A-truss and serving as a rear support for the mounted gun. The tripod head furnishes a front support for the mounted gun, it being in turn supported by the short front leg,

(2) Incorporated In the tnpod head is a bronze plntle bushing, mating with the tapered steel pintle attached to the receiver of the gun. The pintle is secured in its union with the bushing by engagement of the pintle lock group assembly of the tripod in its corresponding annular groove of the pintle. The pintle lock group assembly is spring-actuated and is seated in its housing on the lower right surface of the tripod head.

(3) The traversing bar provides a rear support for the mounted gun, the elevating mechanism sleeve mating with the bar, An addi- tional device for measuring or establishing horizontal angles is incorporated in the scale engraved on the traversing bar. This scale is divided into 100-mil major divisions, and 5-mil minor subdivisions, It has a range of 450 mils to the right and 425 mils left of zero graduation.

(4) The traversing bar articulates in sliding sleeve devices at each end, the sleeves moving along the rear legs in mounting and dismounting the tripod. The traversing bat sleeve latch, mounted on the right leg, secures the traversing bar in its proper position when the tripod is mounted.

g. Machine Gun Tripo(l Mount, Gal, .30, M1917A1 (fig. 9).

(1) This mount has as a central member a socket with three projecting lugs. Attached to the socket are three legs which may be clamped independently in various positions,

(2) The cradle pintle fits into the socket and turns in it 89 a pivot The cradle pintle clamping screw assembly prevents the pinde from being pulled out of the socket and controls the ease of rotation of the pintle, The traversing dial seated on top of the socket may be rotated in its seat The traversing dial may be locked in any position by means of the traversing dial knob.

(3) The cradle is assembled to the top of the pintle by means of the trunnion studs which are threaded into seatings in the pintle yoker The vertical movement of the cradle around this yoke may be adjusted or fixed at a desired point by means of the cradle c~amp- ing handle. In the forward end of the cradle is assembled the pintle lock group assembly equipped with a quick release latch. The ele- vating and traversing mechanism is housed in the rear end of the right and left side plates of the cradle. Elevating and traversing screws actuated by fiandwheels provide mechanical means for manipulation in single-mil increments.

(4) An accessory to this mount is the cat 30 gun elevator (fig. 10). This is approximately 31 inches long and is composed principally of a pintle, tube, and cocket It is used in conjunction with the M1917A1 Mount for antiaircraft fire. This elevator is used by removing the cradle assembly from the tripod and inserting the pintle end of the elevator into the socket of the tripod. The cradle assembly is then insetted in the socket end of the elevator.


4. DATA.

a. In order to provide for more clarity of understanding, the data of each of the guns and mounts described in this manual will be handled separately as follows:

.
(1) BROWNING MACHINE GUN, CAL 30, M1917A1
Weight of gun with water 41.00 Ib
Weight of gun without water 32.6 Ib
Length (over-all) 38.64 in.
Weight of recoding parts 7.35 Ib
Weight of barrel 3 lb
Length of barrel lL3.9 in.
Length of rifling 21,38 in. (71 cat)
Rifling:-
Number of grooves 4
Right-hand twist One turn in 10 inches (333 cat)
Depth of grooves 0.0040 in.
Cross-sectional area of bore 0.0740 so in.
Type of mechanism Short recoil
Feeding device Fabric belt
Capacity of feeding device 100 to 250 rounds
Rate of fire 450 to 600 rounds per min
Cooling system capacity (water) 8 Pt
Sight radius ????
Sear release 9 lb
Trigger pull 7 lh (min); 12 Ib (max)
Ammunition types Ball; AP; tracer

(2) BROWNING MACHINE GUN, CAL .30, M1919A4, FIXED AND FLEXIBLE
NOTE: The flexible gun is different only in the weight which is 31 pounds, and the over-all length which is 41.11 inches
Weight 30.5 lb
Length (over-all) 37,94 in.
Weight of recoiling parts 11.7 lb
Weight of barrel 7,35 lb
Length of barrel 24 in.
Length of rifling 21.38 in. (71 cal.)
Rifling:-
Number of grooves 4
Right-hand twist One turn in 10 inches (333 cat)
Depth of grooves 0,0040 in.
Cross-sectional area of bore 0.0740 sq in
Type of mechanism Short recoil
Feeding device Fabric belt
Capacity of feeding device 100 to 250 rounds
Rate of fire 400 to 550 rounds per min
Cooling system-
Sight radius 13.9 in.
Sear release 9 lb
Trigger pull 7 lb (min); 12 lb (max)
Ammunition types Ball; AP; tracer

(3) BROWNING MACHINE GUN, CAL 30, M1919A5.
Weight 31 lb
Length (over-all) 40.8 in.
Weight of recoiling parts 11.7 lb
Weight of barrel 7.35 lb
Length of barrel 24 in.
Length of rifling 21.38 in. (71 cal.)
Rifling:-
Number of grooves 4
Right-hand twist One turn in 10 inches (33.3 cal.)
Depth of grooves 0.0040 in.
Cross-sectional area of bore 0.0740 sq. in.
Type of mechanism Short recoil
Feeding device Fabric belt
Capacity of feecIing device (rounds) 100 to 250 rounds
Rate of fire 400 to 550 rounds per min
Cooling system Air
Sear release 9 lb
Trigger pull 7 Ib (min); 12 Ib (max)
Ammunition types Ball; AP; tracer

(4) BROWNING MACHINE GUN, GAL. 30, M1919A6.
Weight with metal stock 32.5 lb
Length (over-all) 53 in.
Weight of recoling parts (approx) 7.5 lb
Weight of barrel 4.65 lb
Length of barrel 24 in.
Length of rifling 21.38 in. (71 cal.)
Rifling:-
Number of grooves 4
Right-hand twist One turn in 10 in. (33.3 cal.)
Depth of grooves 0.0040 in.
Cross-sectional area of bore 0.0740 so in.
Type of mechanism Short recoil
Feeding device Link and belt
Capacity of feeding device (rounds) 100 to 250 rounds
Rate of fire (approx) 400 to 500 rounds per min
Cooling system Air
Sight radius 13.9 in.
Maximum command 14.5 in.
Star release 9 lb
Trigger pull 8.5 lb
Ammunition types Ball; AP; tracer

(5) BROWNING MACHINE GUN, CAL .30 M2, AlRCRAFT, FIXED AND FLEXIBLE.
Weight with back plate with horizontal buffer assembly:-
Fixed 21.5 lb
Flexible 23 lb
Length (over-all) 39.8 in.
Weight of recoling parts 6.56 lb
Weight of barrel 3.81 lb
Length of barrel 23.9 in.
Length of rifling 21,35 in. (709 cat)
Rifling:-
Number of grooves 4
Right-hand twist One turn in 10 inches (33.3 cal,)
Depth of grooves 0.0040 in.
Cross-sectional area of bore 0.0740 sq in,
Type of mechanism Short recoil
Feeding device Metallic link belt
Capacity of feeding device As desired
Rate of fire 1,000 to 1,350 rounds per min
Cooling system-
Sights radius Sights not furnished by Ordnance Department
Firing pin release:-
Pressure applied to sear 12 to 17 lb.
Pressure to sear holder 25 to 35 lb
Ammunition types Ball; AP; tracer; incendiary

(6) MACHINE GUN TRIPOD MOUNT CAL. .30 M2.
Weight 14 lb.
Length:-
Extended 32.5 in.
Folded for transportation 27 in.
Spread of rear legs 30 in.
Command 11 in.
Tactical use Ground fire
Traversing range:-
Without releasing elevating mechanism 50 deg
Free 360 deg (6,400 mils)
Traversing bar graduated 800 mils
Elevating range:-
Free 21, --45 deg
Mechanical 19, -25 deg
Least increment 1 mil
Elevating handwheel graduated 1 mil
NOTE: For use with cal. .30, Flexible Browning Machine Gun M1919A4.

(7) MACHINE GUN TRIPOD MOUNT CAL. 30 M1917A1.
Weight 53.2 lb
Length:-
Extended 42 in
Folded for transportation 36 in.
Spread of front legs, extended 39 in.
Command 23 in.
Tactical use Ground and antiaircraft fire
Traversing range:-
Mechanical 50 mils
Least increment 1 mil
Free (360 deg) 6,400 mils
Traversing dial graduated Every 20 mils for 6,400 mils
Elevating limits, free 1,156 mils (65 deg); -498 mils (28 deg)
Elevating limits, mechanical range 50 mils
Least increment 1 mil
Elevating arc graduated Every 25 mils for 900 mils
Depression in cradle slots (max) 500 mils (28 deg)
Depression within graduation on elevating arc (max) 400 mils (22.5 deq)
NOTE: For use with cal. .30 Browning Machine Gun M1917A1.

(8) BROWNING BELT FILLING MACHINE, CAL. 30, NEEDLE AND SHUTTLE TYPE
Weight of belt filling machine 14 lb
Weight of packing chest 7 lb