Help Identifying web rifle case

[therno]

I was going thru some stuff over the weekend looking for some stuff to sell and found this rifle case. I do not know much about it or what rifle it would go with? It has an extra leather section on it which is very different then any other case that I have seen.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I'm not familiar with it either in Commonwealth rifle cases, of which there are several...or US issue cases. The leather extra is to accommodate a scope. I'm pretty sure it's not issue...the fittings could be surplus post war.

[RT Ellis]

This item is identified in America's Munitions 1917-18 as a Carrying Case for the Browning Automatic Rifle M1918. Your example manufactured by R. H. Long, Framingham, Mass., in November 1918. Other known contractors were Belber Trunk & Bag Co., Philadelphia, Pa., and Westboro Trunk & Bag Co., Westboro, Mass. It is believed that all were manufactured in 1918. In the contract listings I have researched they are listed as Carrying Case, without any model or purpose. I have speculated that the Army wanted to conceal the BARs to keep them classified until deployed in combat, but I have no such confirmation.

Although intended for the BAR these carrying cases were useful for any long arm, and I have seen one offered for sale in an online auction that had an Ordnance Department part number marked on it that suggested it was stocked during WWII. Yours is the only example I have seen with the leather sleeve or whatever it is, added and I suspect it was probably added by someone that acquired it after it was disposed of by the Army.

[browningautorifle]

a Carrying Case for the Browning Automatic Rifle M1918

OK, I thought it was too small and delicate for that. According to Oldgunsnet it is... http://oldguns.net/pix/7942.jpg

A bit different but still...

[RT Ellis]

This is the illustration in America's Munitions 1917-1918 that faces page 166. This is the only official reference I've seen that identifies that the Carrying Case was intended for the BAR. In a previous discussion regarding this equipment someone that had an example and a BAR reported that the weapon did fit into the case.

[RCS]

I have another variation of a WW1 rifle or M1918 BAR case re-issued during WW2Attachment 81504Attachment 81505Attachment 81506

[browningautorifle]

another variation

That's the one on oldguns net for sale...same variation. Can't see how it would fit the bipod though.

[RCS]

The Model 1918 BAR do not have a bipod until 1937 with the Model 1918A1, later the Model 1918A2 came with WW2 and another bipod of different design. There was
also a hard leather case for the BAR too

[browningautorifle]

The Model 1918 BAR do not have a bipod until 1937 with the Model 1918A1, later the Model 1918A2 came with WW2 and another bipod of different design. There was
also a hard leather case for the BAR too

Yes, I'm aware... I'm speaking of stuffing a 1918A2, WW2 variant into it...

[Big Al]

The version with the leather flap is called the M1916, and was introduced after experience with the dusty conditions encountered in Mexico during the Punitive Expedition to capture Pancho Villa. The case with the canvas flap, the M1918, was made to carry the unloaded BAR to keep it protected from mud, not to conceal its presence to the enemy. This was a lesson learned by the French with the Chauchat (please, no howling about how horrible it was) who issued canvas gun covers to keep mud off of the guns when they weren't in action.