[D_conrad]

I was watching a YouTube video and it was a reinactor with his 1919a4. The end of the heat shield closest to the box was wrapped in a used cloth ammunition belt. He stated this was done to protect the 2nd gunners hands as the gun wad moved positions. It sounds logical, however I have looked and have yet to see a single wartime photo with this done. What do you all think?

 

[Bigbore_]

On a semi-auto reenactor gun that's probably fine. A belt wrapped around the barrel would burn away on real combat use 1919A4.

 

[D_conrad]

On a semi-auto reenactor gun that's probably fine. A belt wrapped around the barrel would burn away on real combat use 1919A4.

That's what I thought. He was claiming it was a standard modification during the war. I didn't think so haha

 

[ScottD]

Lets not forget that these are the same guys who will argue over the authenticity of a belt buckle or a comb.....but have no problems 'portraying' a 50 year old private who weighs 300 lbs......😅

 

[D_conrad]

Lets not forget that these are the same guys who will argue over the authenticity of a belt buckle or a comb.....but have no problems 'portraying' a 50 year old private who weighs 300 lbs......😅

Lol I know right!?

 

[SilentNight1647]

I have seen improvised carry handles before and even a rope sling tied to the shroud but I can't recall ever seeing a belt wrapped around it. I can't see that surviving any type of sustained fire. Although that is not to say a clever GI with a piece of asbestos cloth didn't wrap the aft section of the shroud. That I could certainly see and would for sure be field expedient.

 

[cobb]

I've seen photos of field expedient carrying handles, but never the cloth belt.

 

[D_conrad]

I searched through a bunch of photos after I watched that video. Didn't believe it. Not a single photo found. I was however surprised at the number of safety bars I saw in photos. Makes me want to add mine to my build haha

 

[47lincsled]

I was watching a documentary once about combat in the islands and there was a short clip of a guy hip firing a 1919 as he was wading ashore, he was using empty belts as a carry strap and a heat shield! I tried to find it online so I could get a screen grab but could never find it!

 

[FNG3]

For your entertainment

HD Stock Video Footage - A film titled 'Bob Hope at the Jungle Training Unit'

View Bob Hope vintage historic HD stock video footage in Hawaii USA, 1944. Buy HD video and archival still photo images of clip number 65675041122.

www.criticalpast.com

 

[Bigbore_]

For your entertainment

HD Stock Video Footage - A film titled 'Bob Hope at the Jungle Training Unit'

View Bob Hope vintage historic HD stock video footage in Hawaii USA, 1944. Buy HD video and archival still photo images of clip number 65675041122.

www.criticalpast.com

Asbestos gloves, not belts.

 

[47lincsled]

Good viewing but not the clip I was thinking of, the one I saw the guys were actually coming out of the water on a beach, it may have been staged but it looked real.

 

[D_conrad]

Maybe I should get myself some asbestos gloves for mine? Make it historically accurate? 🤣🤣

 

[47lincsled]

I found that a Mosin-Nagant sling worked really well to shoot from the hip! Back when I could still hold a gun that long!

 

[Aklawok]

some exhaust header wrap should do nicely and look authentic if done right, or an ov-glove silicone mit....not authentic but cheep!