Colt 1928 Aircraft Machine gun

8168 Views 24 Replies 8 Participants Last post by KABAR2, Jan 16, 2008

TiredIron

Discussion Starter · Jan 7, 2008

This is offered over on subguns
http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/upload/nfafirearms.12038.1.jpg
Serial# C-102043-A, .30-06 caliber. This has a 25 1/2" barrel including the recoil booster, the bore is dark with distinct rifling. The recoil booster has a reduced caliber with a muzzle i.d. of .23 caliber, likely for blanks, this can be easily be bored out for .30 caliber use. This gun is based on Browning's patent of Feb. 4, 1919. It has a pistol grip with bakelite grip panels, no sights, and a ventilated barrel jacket. The top of the barrel jacket is marked "1" with punch dots. The gun appears to be complete and in working order, only one small mounting bracket is missing from the right sideplate. There seems to be ample mounting brackets to adapt this to a pintle for a tripod. This was covered in black lacquer at some point, and where the lacquer is worn (principally on the barrel jacket) the metal retains most of a dull blue finish that is believed to be original. All of the factory markings are in excellent condition. This is fully transferable on a Form 3 or Form

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southbysouthwest

· #5 · Jan 10, 2008

Actually it is a Colt AC MG made by Vickers-Armstrongs starting 1928. Looking at Dolfs Vol2 book on page 10 shows it clearly. The only things that stick out (as different) are the A5 type charger handle brackets (could been added on) and the top plate. But all else including the lighting holes in bolt, the shroud, the trunion, the bottom plate, the side plate profile are a perfect match. Even the serial number is in the range of these guns.

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southbysouthwest

· #9 · Jan 10, 2008

TiredIron said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, don't the original 1928 weapons like yours have a internal captive recoil spring...??...

Yes they do, just like the AC one you posted above from the ad. You can see the notch for it.

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southbysouthwest

· #11 · Jan 10, 2008

Lucky#13 said:
Okay, you're ALL wrong! ....

Lucky#13,
I agree with you on the gun that it fits the 1919 AC model. On pg 251 is the gun with the single grip as well.

I just wonder why 1)the seller didn't call it a model 1919 as that is what should be marked on the receiver and 2) why the serial number is in the Vicker-Armstrongs range of C-10XXXXA vs the A30-XXX shown on pg 248 for the 1919 AC guns

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southbysouthwest

· #12 · Jan 10, 2008

southbysouthwest said:
.....I just wonder why 1)the seller didn't call it a model 1919 as that is what should be marked on the receiver and 2) why the serial number is in the Vicker-Armstrongs range of C-10XXXXA vs the A30-XXX shown on pg 248 for the 1919 AC guns

OK answered my own question here on the SN. Take a look at page 305. I guess it would actually be called the "Model 1924" or the "MG38-40-1" after 1931 timeframe.

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southbysouthwest

· #15 · Jan 10, 2008

Interesting to look at the serial number range on pg 317. Knowing that this gun is an Aircraft model, sold commercially, and in .30 Cal points to one of two buyers, if the data is complete.

1. California Hdwr Co. on 10-01-31 --- My kind of hardware store!
or
2. United Aircraft Exports, Inc. on 10-02-1931

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southbysouthwest

· #16 · Jan 10, 2008

TiredIron said:
....
I was curious though why lobo's 1928 has the 1919A4 recoil spring protruding through the rear cover...did they not include all the original parts in these kits....or did people just choose to make this alteration. I have part of a kit and someday will aquire the rest....and was wondering why the spring isn't captive to the right plate...??
TiredIron

That is the classic OOW modification to use 1919 parts and not the orginal colt parts in their SA conversions. I also noted that the LHSP has been changed/modified as well.

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southbysouthwest

· #20 · Jan 11, 2008

Lucky#13 said:
Well, at least this thread is a well intended, academic discussion of the gun in question, with no acrimony. That 1928/1917 hybrid that garnered so much attention on another thread got a bit on the rude side. This one has just been a fun and informational discussion. ......

I agree and I was actually having a little fun with this as well.
However it was YOU who made me find my Vol 1 amid the clutter. I was cussing my buddy who borrowed it last for not returning it....that is until I found it between Ken Howell's "Custom Cartridges" and Frank Seller's "Sharps" book in the book case. I'll have to speak to the librarian on better organization

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