Identification of Browning barrel in 303 cal

[RCS]

this barrel was found among some BMG M1919 barrels, it is chambered for the 303 cartridge and fits the US barrel extension. Which variation used this barrel (think it is FN)

---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------



---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 PM ----------

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Vincent]

FN 30 would be my guess.

[browningautorifle]

I had a couple in Gagetown and I don't recall seeing that large barrel bearing or booster up front.

[Peter Laidler]

That's what's puzzling me BAR. We had a couple of RAF .303" Brownings at Warminster. But the barrels didn't have that. The dish shape at the muzzle makes me think it's part of a recoil booster. I feel sure that the breech thread were standard lock frame threads

[RCS]

I did find some additional information on this barrel. I believe it is an aircraft barrel manufactured in Belgium that could have been used by air forces in the Baltic States. Both Finland and Portugal
plus some small South American air forces also used FN Brownings in their aircraft both in 7,92mm and 303 British. At first I thought it might be 7,7 Japanese rimmed but they only copied the larger
Browning design for their 12.7 and 20mm projects

[Peter Laidler]

While I was in New Zealand I went with one of the Armmourer Sgts, Den Phillips, who was an ex RNZAF Armourer, to collect 4 (?) .303" Brownings from RAF OHAKEA (is that right?) the armaments depot. They were all from some of the old Sunderland turrets from the planes about to be retired later in the year. They were going to Waiouru for some reason and as he knew about them, he'd select the best. They were just the bog standard BSA made .303" Brownings.

[RCS]

one of my very old photos of all the Model 1919A6's from each company that would go to the range. all of the Model 1919A4's were converted to the 1919A6 with the lighter barrel and bipod attachment. the photo shows them all mounted on the M2 tripod which would have sandbags on the tripod legs when fired.

[Eaglelord17]

I can tell you it was made in Belgium as that is a Belgian proof marking on the barrel (so FN is very likely). Otherwise I have nothing to add.

[RCS]

When I first saw this Belgium barrel with the muzzle booster it reminded me of the Browning M1919A6 barrel which is light weight but also with the larger diameter at the muzzle

[Brit plumber]

It is a FN Modele 38 barrel, AKA FN 30. The 30 obviously refers to the 30-06 round and has been used to designate the model which it shouldn't. Only the Modele 32 and 38 in 30-06 should be referred to as FN30, I suppose a 303 version could be called a FN303. Anyhow, try googling FN Modele 32 and 38.