Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), Cal. .30-06,
M1918 Series
John Browning designed the BAR to provide
an automatic rifle for use during World War I. The M1918 saw
service toward the end of World War I. The M1918A2, adopted by the
Army in 1940, saw extensive service during World War II and Korea.
The BAR used .30-06 cal. cartridges in 20-round magazines. The
BAR provided an effective rate of fire of 550 spm, and proved to
be a very reliable weapon during adverse operating conditions.
- M1918 (1917) was selective to fire either semi-
or fully-automatic. The M1918 did not have the shoulder support
plate or bipod that was characteristic of later models. The
M1918 had a blade front sight and a leaf with aperture battle
sight with aperture rear sight.
- M1918A1 (1937) was selective to fire either semi- or
fully-automatic. It had a shoulder support plate hinged to the
buttstock and a spike type bipod. The M1918A1 had a blade front
sight and a leaf with aperture battle sight with aperture rear sight.
- M1918A2 (1940) was fully-automatic, but selective at
either Slow (300-450 spm) or Fast (500-650 spm) rates of fire.
The M1918A2 was originally issued with a spike based removable
stock rest which fitted in a hole in the buttstock. It had a
shorter hinged shoulder support plate and a skid type bipod.
Later modifications included a plastic buttstock and the
addition of a carrying handle. The M1918A2 had a blade front
sight and a leaf with aperture rear sight adjustable for windage.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m1918.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, August 07, 1999 6:35:42 AM