What do I have? Please help me identify this strange magazine.

[matchking1]

Hi all. First post here. I found this magazine in a box full of misc. items and can't seem to ID it. Any subject matter experts on here care to venture a guess? I've tried .30-06, 8mmx57, 7.62x54R, and .303 British to no avail. They are close though so that may give you an idea as to the approximate size. Thanks for any assistance you can give.

Regards,

Brent

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Information

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[Paul S.]

Have you tried any French 8mm Lebel cartridges? The curve shape suggests a rimmed or large case/narrow neck cartridge.

It looks crudely made. At least the welds do.

[Eaglelord17]

I don't think it would take the 8mm Lebel rounds, those curve significantly more than that magazine does. What about maybe .30 Carbine? This is just a shot in the dark.

[matchking1]

It receives a cartridge larger than .30 Carbine. It's a long action caliber of some sort. I'll try to give you all some approximate dimensions tonight.

[CINDERS]

Would that be a mag from a Japanese MG I have seen pics but do not know the type where it mounts similar to a bren set up nope not a 96 unless they modified it as the 96 has a 3 ribbed mag

[RRPG]

You mean the Type 93 13.2mm AA MG? Possibly.......difficult to find a decent pic of one though.

Attachment 66174

[Peter Laidler]

To be honest it looks so rough and ready that it could almost be home made. The side elevation makes me think that as it looks like it's been linished as opposed to the usual stamped-out pressing. Additionally, if it were something fairly standard, you could bet your last $ that someone on this forum WOULD have identified it by now, believe me! Wisdom of the crowd and all that.........

[browningautorifle]

the Type 93 13.2mm AA MG?

Complete Round 5.3-5.4 in (134-137 mm) And the mag capacity was supposedly 30 rds. I don't think this is it. This one looks hand made at home for some obscure LMG type...never finished.

[RCS]

Just a guess, the way the magazine feed is designed in a single stack (like the US Johnson Model '41 mg and the French Chauchat 1915) I might think it is for a replacement
for a converted Chauchat. Even during WW1, the Germans converted captured examples to 7,92mm with a similar box magazine as well as the US 30-06 model. Post WW1
and into the 20's more conversions in 7,65mm and 7,92mm for Poland.

[matchking1]

Thank you all for the replies and I apologize for not having gotten the dimensions yet. The magazine does appear to be a prototype of some sort. It is "in the white" as no finish has ever been applied to the parts. I've not tried to disassemble it. RCS, I, too, thought Johnson or Chauchat but the catch doesn't appear in the correct spot for it but who is to say the catch on the rifle wasn't modified as well? Prototypes are somewhat hard to identify but just thought it might spark a memory from someone. Thanks again.