If it ain’t broke
U.S. Army Cpl. Brittany Montana fires an M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun on Camp Atterbury. Montana is a Reservist assigned to the 354th Military Police Company. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret.
Earlier this year Anniston Army Depot, which is upgrading all the service’s legacy M2 Browning heavy machine guns to the new M2A1 standard which allows faster barrel changes without having to headspace (laws yes), had a vintage 1921 production model Ma Deuce come through. The gun, serial number 324, has somehow remained in service for 94 years and still works just fine.
From the Army’s presser:
“Looking at the receiver, for its age, it looks good as new and it gauges better than most of the other weapons,” said John Clark, a small arms repair leader.
Despite the fact that the weapon still meets most specifications, it may be destined for the scrap yard.
Modifications made to the weapon in the field mean part of the receiver would have to be removed through welding and replaced with new metal, a process which usually means the receiver is scrap.
“I’d rather put this one on display than send it to the scrap yard,” said Clark, adding the weapon’s age makes it appealing as a historical artifact.
Here’s to hoping the gun stays on extended retirement rather than goes to the torch. After almost a century on the sharp end of the spear, the old soldier deserves it.
