Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fine Original USGI Browning Automatic Rifle M1918 genuine parts set, reassembled onto a non-firing BATF approved steel new made display receiver, with some original internals deactivated and welded into the receiver to complete the look. Unlike most examples we have had, this is in the original WWI Era configuration, which was the standard until the M1918A1 was introduced in 1937.

It features the correct front compensator / flash hider, checkered wooden foregrip, and early wood butt stock without a shoulder plate. It also has a WWII issue barrel marked I B M / 1 43 (January 1943 production), together with a 20 round magazine. All parts aside from the receiver are genuine U.S. issue parts, many of which have issue markings and part numbers. It still retains both original sling swivels, and is fitted with an original leather sling.

This really is most attractive examples that we have offered, in a very hard to find configuration. This display gun was also featured multiple times in the U.S. Navy Uniforms in World War II Series Books by Jeff Warner. In fact this display gun was purchased by IMA from the estate of Mr. Warner along with much of his personal collection.

Ready to display!

This is a very fine display for the collector who might be contemplating one day constructing a semi auto or just to have as a genuine piece of U.S. Military history. BARs have become extremely hard to find today, as these are totally un-importable due to being American returned goods and the barrel ban. Magazine is included but will be deactivated where necessary.

History of the BAR- The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was a family of United States automatic rifles and light machine guns used by the United States and numerous other countries during the 20th century. The primary variant of the BAR series was the M1918, chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge and designed by John Browning in 1917 for the U.S. Expeditionary Corps in Europe as a replacement for the French-made Chauchat and M1909 Benet-Mercie machine guns.

As originally designed, the BAR was intended to be fired standing up or in a prone position. There was even a magazine pouch belt with a cup for the butt stock cup produced, designed to help handle the heavy weapon while standing up.

The M1918A1, featuring a lightweight spiked bipod with a leg height adjustment feature attached to the gas cylinder and a hinged steel butt plate, was formally approved on 24 June 1937. The M1918A1 was intended to increase the weapon's effectiveness and controllability firing in bursts. Relatively few M1918s were rebuilt to the new M1918A1 standard.

Final development of the M1918A2 was authorized on 30 June 1938, The FN-designed pistol grip and rate-reducer mechanism with two rates of automatic fire was shelved in favor of a rate-reducer mechanism designed by Springfield Armory, and housed in the buttstock. The Springfield Armory rate reducer also provided two selectable rates of fully automatic fire only, activated by engaging the selector toggle. Additionally, a skid-footed bipod was fitted to the muzzle end of the barrel, magazine guides were added to the front of the trigger guard, the handguard was shortened, a heat shield was added to help the cooling process, a small separate stock rest (monopod) was included for attachment to the butt, and the weapon's role was changed to that of a squad light machine gun. The BAR's rear sight scales were also modified to accommodate the newly standardized M2 Ball ammunition with its lighter, flat-base bullet. The M1918A2 walnut buttstock is approximately one inch longer than the M1918 BAR buttstock. The M1918A2 barrel was also fitted with a new flash suppressor, and fully adjustable iron sights. Late in the war, a barrel-mounted carrying handle was added.