Hi everybody,
A friend of mine is trying to get Browning Automatic Rifle. The seller has two avaiable but my friend do not have enough info about BARs so he asked me to put this tread here. So let´s go:
The first is chambered to .30-06 and has serial number 349xx. It was made by Marlin Rockwell and has a parkerized finish (green tone) and bears the inscription "US MODEL OF 1918" and a crossed cannon proof.
The second, also chambered to .30-06 ammo, has serial number 1039xx and the same inscription. It was made by Winchester. However the barrel bears the date "1918" and brings the ordnance bomb proof. No details about its finish, but it looks dark matt grey or something like that.
Ok, I know that there were three basic models of BARs: the 1918, the 1918A 1 and the 1918A 2. As far as I know only the former had fire selector (semi/auto) and the others only a cadence control (only full automatic). But that´s all I know.
My questions are:
a) The first BAR (Marlin) has a low serial number but seems to have a tipical WWII finish. Is it correct to assume that it is an arsenal rework? If it is the case, what are the marks?
b) The second (Winchester) has a higher serial number, but it has a barrel dated 1918 and what appears to be an older finish. No rework?
None of the guns has a fire selector, only the cadence control.
Well, any other info (mainly the year of manufacture) is also welcome.
Many thanks in advance.
Douglas.
A friend of mine is trying to get Browning Automatic Rifle. The seller has two avaiable but my friend do not have enough info about BARs so he asked me to put this tread here. So let´s go:
The first is chambered to .30-06 and has serial number 349xx. It was made by Marlin Rockwell and has a parkerized finish (green tone) and bears the inscription "US MODEL OF 1918" and a crossed cannon proof.
The second, also chambered to .30-06 ammo, has serial number 1039xx and the same inscription. It was made by Winchester. However the barrel bears the date "1918" and brings the ordnance bomb proof. No details about its finish, but it looks dark matt grey or something like that.
Ok, I know that there were three basic models of BARs: the 1918, the 1918A 1 and the 1918A 2. As far as I know only the former had fire selector (semi/auto) and the others only a cadence control (only full automatic). But that´s all I know.
My questions are:
a) The first BAR (Marlin) has a low serial number but seems to have a tipical WWII finish. Is it correct to assume that it is an arsenal rework? If it is the case, what are the marks?
b) The second (Winchester) has a higher serial number, but it has a barrel dated 1918 and what appears to be an older finish. No rework?
None of the guns has a fire selector, only the cadence control.
Well, any other info (mainly the year of manufacture) is also welcome.
Many thanks in advance.
Douglas.