Item:
ONSV24PMS065

In stock

Original U.S. WWII Douglas SBD Dauntless Browning Model AN/M2 .30 Caliber Aircraft Display Machine Gun with Dual Mount

Regular price $4,495.00

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional example of the machine gun used aboard the Douglas SBD Dauntless scout plane & dive bomber, a fine original .30 Caliber Browning M2/AN with aircraft mount! IMA is proud to offer a totally non-firing display machine gun, built from parts into a BATF compliant non-functional inert dummy gun. The top cover opens, and many original markings remain, and more than 80% of the right side plate has been cut away and removed. 

The Model AN/M2 is an aircraft version of the Model 1919A4 Browning .30 caliber machine gun. Designed by legendary gunsmith John M. Browning, this air-cooled variant of the AN/M2 was modified by engineers at Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, Belgium, with a lighter, thinner barrel, bolt and receiver walls than the field version. The final product weighed 2/3rds that of the M1919, could be synchronized to fire through an aircraft propeller, and boasted a rate of fire up to three times higher — up to an astonishing 1,200-1,500 rounds per minute. In addition to aircraft use, the M2 was also utilized as a vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapon. Later in the war, U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater used salvaged M2s, modified with improvised handles, as “Stingers” -- with such effectiveness that the weapon was floated as a replacement for the BAR.

The closed bolt, lightweight M2 proved a capable weapon in the early stage of WWII, and was used in both single and twin mounts, and as a fixed wing gun configurations. As the war progressed and aircraft armor improved, it was relegated to a training role and replaced by the larger caliber Browning Cal. .50 M2 machine gun. Some of the aircraft it served aboard include the Dauntless, Liberator and Avenger.

This phenomenally example is fully integrated into the aircraft machine gun mount for the Douglas, with a built in camera. There are two separate handles, the left handle meant to fire the machine gun, with the right handle bearing a GUN CAMERA label, meaning it would take photographs from the perspective of the gun. This example is also mounted with a gorgeous aircraft sight as well as an integral magazine “drum”.

The sides of the drum are marked GM 749-772-3LC and GM 749-772-3RC. The bottom of the mount itself is marked 03 042 481. There are a myriad of other markings and inspector’s stamps across the gun and mount.

The entire setup measures 40½ x 12½ x 11½”, with the barrel measuring 19½” long.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless is a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber that was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft from 1940 through 1944. The SBD ("Scout Bomber Douglas") was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944. The SBD was also flown by the United States Marine Corps, both from land air bases and aircraft carriers. The SBD is best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The type earned its nickname "Slow But Deadly" (from its SBD initials) during this period.

This is your opportunity to own a gorgeous full display setup of one of America's most famous WWII Medium Machine Gun mounted in one of the most well-known scout planes & dive bombers of World War II. Ready to display!

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey, and Washington

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