guess the tool

[RCS]

This should not be difficult to identify these tools and the weapon that they were used with - they are the same tool only made at a different period

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Combination tool for the BAR.

[RCS]

Correct Jim, did not take very long either. How about this broken firing pin and the replacement firing pin ? what weapon did it come from ?

[browningautorifle]

I remember the time we talked about this but I can't remember what it is. HK...Steyer...FG42...what was it???

[RCS]

Both the US Army and Australian Service used this weapon

[browningautorifle]

US M60...that's it. I was issued one in 1977. Thought it looked familiar.

[jmoore]

Although FG42 would be on the right track!

[RCS]

Jim you got it - the M60. When I was an armorer sometime ago, one of our M60's sized-up in the field and I brought back to repair. I really had to work for a long time to get it apart as the firing pin broke and the spring was damaged. I happen to put the broken firing pin and spring in my pocket to show others of the problem, that how I still have it.

Besides the FG 42 piston and cam action to the bolt, you have to look back further to the action of the Lewis (of course the Lewis had rear locking lugs) as the origin of the bolt and gas piston design plus the MG 42 feed system. The M60 was never as good as the MG 42.

Enclosed photo: left 303 British (1915), exparimental 303 Lewis cartridge, 8x59 Breda and the Japanese 303 Lewis cartridge

[browningautorifle]

I remember reading the trials evidence for the M60 and the work Aberdeen did towards the gun. I've handled and shot most of these at one time or another. One of my first experiences was a Lewis gun brought in to my Platoon for safe keeping for the night before a display the next day. I spent the evening learning to strip and assemble and handle the gun. Also included was a Bren and a few hand held weapons. The Lewis was always to be observed with reverence because it was such a feat of machining in those days. The cooling fins were macined from solid stock, the reciever machined from solid, the clockwork spring being the heart of the works...whole thing cost $1000 to produce in 1917. What would that be today?

I found the M60 to be serviceable but it sure ain't the Mag 58...