Original Item: Only One Available. This is a World War One large round water can which had multiple uses but was notable used for the Model 1917 Machine Gun as a water condensing can and to transport fresh cool water to machine guns to prevent the barrels from overheating. It is steel construction and measures 13 inches in diameter and 5 inches wide.

It comes complete with the original khaki web canvas carry strap which is in fair shape with some tearing in the middle, but it’s still solid. There is some light oxidation but overall it is a great example, with the chain still retaining the original cap. These are getting far more difficult to find lately. Offered in very good condition, and comes ready for further research and display.

History of the Browning M1917:

The M1917 Browning machine gun is a heavy machine gun used by the United States armed forces in World War I, World War II, Korea, and to a limited extent in Vietnam; it has also been used by other nations. It was a crew served, belt-fed, water-cooled machine gun that served alongside the much lighter air-cooled Browning M1919. It was used at the battalion level, and often mounted on vehicles (such as a jeep). There were two main iterations of it: the M1917, which was used in World War I; and the M1917A1; which was used thereafter. The M1917, which was used on some aircraft as well as in a ground role, had a firing rate of 450 rounds per minute; the M1917A1 had a firing rate of 450 to 600 rounds per minute.

The Model 1917A1 was again used in the Second World War, and was primarily used with the M2 ball, tracer, and armor-piercing ammunition introduced just prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Some were supplied to the UK for use by the Home Guard since all production of the .303 Vickers were needed to resupply the equipment abandoned during the Fall of France. The M1917's weight and bulk meant that it was generally employed as a fixed defense or as a battalion or regimental support weapon. At the fierce battle of Momote Airstrip in the Admiralties, the US Army's 5th Cavalry machinegunners killed several hundred Japanese in one night using their M1917 Brownings; one gun was left in position after the battle as a memorial to the desperate struggle.