Err sort of. The 1928 guns are listed by their colt c prefix serial numbers on the left side plate along with all the colt factory info, just like all other colt guns. These were covered over with the zeiss brackets that were added in argentina but the info is there, and can be used along with the colt serial number registers to date the guns production. The number on the rsp as well as the number stamped all over the gun was done as part of the argentine contract, but is not the guns serial number. There were specifics done to the 28 for the argentine contract as well. Obviously the rear sight and the safety on the backplate was an argentine requirement as well. There were minor changes to the tripod also.
The mg38 has always been considered an upgraded gun over the 28, if for no other reason than the waterjacket improvements, and i dont think, but I will have to check when I can get to my records, that any 38’s were made before the completion of colts part of the argentine contract on the 28 guns. Now argentina did buy some 38’s also but they did not have the dolled up engraving and were simply c prefix commercial colt guns. Of course they made their own 28’s domestically as well, along with mounts and spare parts.
the one thing that was more of a name change on the 38 series guns was a complete redesign of the trunnion and waterjacket. Those guns evolved into mini versions of the mg52. The 1924 guns I’ve inspected had sliding rear safeties and 1917 style bottom plates. The 28 gained colts improved bottom plate and a captive recoil spring, where the 38 had 28 features plus the above mentioned enhancements.
we havent even discusses the 1919 commercial watercooled yet!
I think it would. Clearly colt realized the superiority of the steel trunnion and endcap threaded over the waterjacket tube to the heavy brass endcapped and trunnioned victorian design. As early as 1918 they committed to the superior design waterjacket for the .50 gun. If they had realized how mobile the next war was going to be, they probably wouldnt have put any effort into it, but they did sell some to countries wanting/needing to add to their inventory on the eve of the war. until lend lease was authorized, the only guns available to allies were commercial guns sold directly by gun mfg’s to allies. one of dolfs browning books has the colt sales ledgers for commercial guns pre war. Cant remember which, but its interesting to see where they went. Mind you there are holes in it but at least it’s something.
Ive also been lucky to have friends with libraries of original colt mg documents, lithographs, advertising and sales ledgers. They keep this stuff close to the vest because it becomes a burden with everyone wanting a peek, but there are far less documented gun lines out there than colt. Heck I even have the blueprints, steel formulas and heat treat tables for all their machine guns made in the 30’s.
Mg38 uses same notches and barrel lock as 28. 24 I examined had 1917 style headspace notches and spring. Mg40 uses a spring similar to a .50 to set headspace, not a plunger like the 38-28 guns.
recoil spring assembly is different on the mg40 compared to mg38.
Yes its a 38 jacket. I looked at this gun many years ago when it lived in either nevada or utah. Its been a while now, but we couldn’t get together on price. Sadly its a bit of a mess but still a neat jacket.
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