Original Item: Only One Available. It has been a few years since we have had one of these. This is an impressive original U.S. WWII Type Browning M1919A6 inert display machine gun assembled with original WWII Type issue components around a permanently non-firing display receiver. It is complete with the distinctive M1919A6 metal shoulder stock, bipod, carry handle, original top cover, deactivated original barrel, and an ammunition can containing a disintegrating belt of inert practice ammunition. With its full A6 configuration and substantial original component content, this makes an excellent display representation of one of the most recognizable U.S. infantry machine guns of the late WWII period.

The display gun itself was built using original WWII Type issue parts on a BATF compliant permanently non-firing display receiver, making this a non-functional display machine gun. The receiver was fabricated using inert dummy side plates together with the original barrel bushing, rear plate with grip, floor plate, and sight mount. The interior is empty, with no internal operating components installed, and the receiver is not constructed to accept them. The original barrel has additionally been welded shut inside the chamber to deactivate it. As configured, the display gun has no firing capability and is intended solely for display. Not Available For Export.

The Browning M1919A6 was developed during WWII as a more portable adaptation of the standard M1919A4 machine gun. U.S. Army technical literature describes the A6 as essentially the M1919A4 fitted with a lighter barrel together with a front bipod, shoulder stock, and carrying handle. With its metal shoulder stock installed, the complete weapon weighed approximately 32.5 pounds, so while it was intended to provide greater portability without a tripod, it remained considerably heavier than a true light machine gun.

The A6 configuration was intended to give U.S. infantry a weapon that could be moved and fired more readily from a bipod while retaining the proven Browning operating system. The added shoulder stock clamped to the rear of the gun, while the forward assembly incorporated the bipod and muzzle components. The design saw service during the later stages of WWII and continued in U.S. service after the war.

This display example retains an original top cover. The cocking handle has been fitted with a spring so that it can be moved back and forth for display purposes, although it is not connected to any internal mechanism and serves no functional role.

An original barrel is installed in the assembly. It has been permanently deactivated by welding the chamber closed, preventing its use as a functional firearm barrel.

The surviving components are finished either in their original Parkerized finish or have been painted to provide a consistent appearance across the completed display assembly. Original markings remain visible on a number of the components, adding considerably to the authenticity and visual interest of the piece.

The metal shoulder stock remains installed at the rear and gives the display the characteristic M1919A6 profile. The original carry handle is also present.

The bipod is the correct M1919A6 type and is original, although it appears to have been assembled from separate components at some point. It is missing the correct wing nuts normally fitted to the legs for locking and length adjustment. This is an important completeness point, but the bipod itself remains present and gives the gun the proper A6 appearance.

The fitted M7 style flash hider is a non-magnetic replica rather than an original wartime component.

Also included is an ammunition can containing a disintegrating belt of inert practice ammunition, creating a much more complete display than the gun alone. The ammunition is included strictly as inert display material.

Condition overall is very good as an assembled inert display gun. The combination of original WWII Type components, original top cover, deactivated original barrel, correct original bipod, metal shoulder stock, carry handle, and surviving component markings gives the assembly substantial period character. The fabricated receiver, empty interior, spring mounted non-functional cocking handle, missing bipod wing nuts, and replica M7 style flash hider are all fully disclosed.

For the U.S. WWII machine gun, infantry weapons, or inert ordnance collector, this M1919A6 display setup has exceptional visual presence. The shoulder stock, bipod, carry handle, original marked components, inert belted ammunition, and ammo can create the unmistakable profile of the late WWII Browning A6 while remaining permanently non-firing. It would make a particularly strong centerpiece in a U.S. infantry weapons, Browning machine gun, WWII vehicle, or museum style display.

The M1919 Browning is a .30 caliber medium machine gun that was widely used during the 20th century. The U.S. and many other countries used it as a light infantry, coaxial, mounted, aircraft, and anti-aircraft machine gun, especially during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Although it began to be superseded by newer designs in the later half of the century (such as by the M60 machine gun), it remained in use in many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and elsewhere for much longer. It is very similar in design to the larger .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Machine Gun, the "Ma Deuce", which is also a Browning-designed weapon and is still in NATO service.

The Browning 1919A6 was a late WW2 infantry variation of the 1919A4, considered to be the definitive U.S. MG of WWII. The M1919A6 was an attempt to provide US forces with a more portable light machine gun, similar to the German MG34 and MG42 machine guns they were facing. The M1919A6 had a metal buttstock assembly that clamped to the backplate of the gun, and a front barrel bearing that incorporated both a muzzle booster and a bipod similar to that used on the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). A lighter barrel than that of the M1919A4 was fitted. The M1919A6 was a heavy (32 pounds) and awkward weapon in comparison with the MG34 and MG42 and was eventually replaced in US service by the M60 machine gun in the 1960s.