#Browning automatic rifle modern full#

The gun’s poor quality was readily visible in its open, spring-loaded magazine. When the American Expeditionary Force began arriving in Europe in 1917, it was at first equipped with a variety of European weapons, including the French Chauchat machine rifle (the Chauchat was also manufactured under contract in the U.S.).

The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) in World War I Val Browning with an M1918 BAR Again, you can see an example of the M1917 in our Varnum Armory collection. Like the BAR, it would also serve well into the 20th century. After some modifications, it also ordered by the Army as the M1917 model. 30 caliber water-cooled machine gun to the same audience. Incidentally, Browning also demonstrated his.

#Browning automatic rifle modern full#

Early models allowed single (semi-automatic) or full automatic fire of between 350 to 550 rounds per minute of 30.06 caliber ammunition, using 20 round magazines. Although it required some modifications, it quickly proved its reliability under the most adverse conditions. Following tests in Washington DC before some 300 observers and after additional testing at the Springfield Armory, the U.S. Testing the M1918 at Congress Heightsīrowning quickly developed his idea for an automatic rifle and introduced it in 1917. Trench warfare, which often entailed high volume of concentrated fire, was also an effective application. This type of weapon would allow an infantryman to continuously fire at an enemy while advancing, a technique called “walking fire”. The French Army had already introduced the lightweight (and cheaply made) Chauchat (an example of which is also in the Varnum Armory collection). John Browning was right at the forefront with a response. Early in World War I, both sides recognized the value of a relatively lightweight and easily carried automatic weapon for use by infantrymen was evolving. War brings massive advances in a variety of areas, from medicine to tactics, and of course to weaponry. Origins of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Variations remained in use until the early years of the Vietnam War. Army adopted his classic BAR “Browning Automatic Rifle” early in 1918. 50 caliber machine gun, and the Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun.

30 caliber air-cooled machine guns, the M2. He is known for such weapons as the M1911 pistol, the Browning Hi Power pistol, the M1917. Throughout his life, John Browning remained totally focused on his craft. His prolific work continued unabated until, while working on a design for a new self-loading pistol, he literally died of a heart attack in 1926 at his workbench in his son Val’s design shop in Belgium. Browningīrowning was born in Ogden, Utah in 1855 and at age 13 went to work in his father’s gun shop. Model M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum About John Moses Browning John M. He is credited with the development of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms along with a range of accessories, used by the military and civilian communities worldwide. He is considered to be one of the world’s foremost firearms designers with 128 firearm patents. Introduced late in World War I and now known by infantrymen around the globe, the “BAR” was the product of the fertile mind of John Moses Browning. Sitting on a display case in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum’s “World Wars Room” is a Model M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).