My rifle calibre aircraft Brownings

[woodsy]

These two are currently in my collection. The first is a Vickers-Armstrong .303 Mk II instructional cutaway gun made in 1939 and ex RNZAF. The internal lock parts are nickle plated to aid visibility and the gun is in full working order despite the cut-outs. I would have thought that they would at least shorten the firing pin to avoid classroom accidents!

The second gun is the .30/06 AN M2 and was brought back to NZ after WW2 by an RNZAF armourer in his kit. These were used in some US & RNZAF planes in the Pacific but were largely replaced by .50's. I bought this gun at auction by postal bid some years ago and the description said 'locked solid, appears to be welded, otherwise unused'. I priced it accordingly and was very surprised when I got it. I was even more surprised to find that the 'weld' was hardened WW2 grease that was easily removed with kerosene and a hair dryer! It is unfired! ;D

[Peter Wells]

Nice guns Rod

The ANM2 is unknown here, other than from the books etc., but the .303" is well known in SAAF use. I recently visited a depot and discovered >500 guns awaiting 'disposal' - destruction is inevitable, d**n them

I also have a cutaway (a well used Mk 2*) but the treatment is very different. I recently acquired a set of the spade grips used on the waist guns of our Alouette gunships in the 70s - my cutaway wears them for want of another host .


Barrel extension is Copper washed - no sign of chrome.



Not sure why it mustn't be stripped

Cheers

[Kev]

Thanks for showing Rod,very nice indeed

[Peter Wells]

Pics posted

[woodsy]

As you say, a completely different approach to the sectioning. I like the spade grip set-up. A simple and effective design that is quite easy to make. Thanks Peter.

It is a pity obout the 500 or so Mk II's being destroyed. Do the SADF ever consider selling such things to offshore dealers?

[britplumber]

I've got some .303" parts that came off a wing mounted gun that was being broken for parts at RAF Cosford. This gun was one that had been DP'd so to speak, for fitting to RAF gate guardians.

I'd imagine theres not too many Skeleton .303s around, us RAF plumbers are at the more inteligent end of the Armourer world. ;-)

[Kev]

Very nice too Peter,interesting guns.

[Peter Wells]

Thanks for comments guys

Rod - we have a hideous creature called the 'Committee for the Control of Conventional Arms' which governs exports and disposals of all small arms, military and civilian. To our knowledge they have never approved any internal sale or export of SADF/SANDF surplus, despite the huge loss of potential revenue

The piles of surplus 7.62 and 5.56 ammo that were on dealers' shelves in the USA until recently was explained as a batch being sent to Germany for destruction wich was then diverted. What utter crap.

The SA (U/m) marked 7.62mm Bren, 1919a4, MAG and FN/R1 types hitting the UK recently are all ex Zimbabwe (as evidenced by the RA and ZA numbers) stock supplied by us during their strife over which the CCCA has no control.

[ramc181]

Might sound a silly question but hopefully someone can help........

What's the rifling pattern on the US .30 Cal AN/M2 and the British .303 Browning?
I've got a spent round in front of me here, which has 4 rifling grooves, and I'm hoping that the RAF and AAF guns were different.
Surface corrosion prevents me getting an accurate diameter with a micrometer.

All the best,
PB

[woodsy]

The .30 AN M2 has 4 groove, right hand twist, and the .303 Mk II has 5 groove, left hand twist, both being one turn in 10".

[ramc181]

Thank you very much.

TTFN,
PB

[crash520]

Nice couple of items there Rod,
Sir, do you have better pictures of the detail of the cocking handle on the 30-06ANM2 please? Also is the external dimentions of the barrels on the 303 and 30-06 EXACTLY the same, I know the threads are for the barrel extension, what about the length and the muzzle diameter, can you advise please?
BR Crash

[derekbu]

Hi Rod and Peter,
any chance to get a photograph of the underside of these guns? I'm working on a 3D CAD model for my Wirraway drawings, and nowhere can I find a clear view of the underside of the Mk.II

Wirraways had the Mk. II mounted externally, hanging out in the breeze with the whole gun exposed, hence my interest in seeing an underside view.

Regards,
Derek

[Peter Wells]

Hi Derek.
Certainly - with or without spade grips?

[ihavit2]

Hi Peter:
Love that cut-away view which shows the bolt that I have in a Browning MKII .303. Do you have a manual that shows detailed dis assembly of this gun ?

Thanks & cheers,
Doug