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Proper Tools To Keep ‘Em Running

Scott Barbour by Scott Barbour
August 3, 2022
in Articles, Articles by Issue, Gear, News & Opinion, Search by Issue, V3N3 (Dec 1999), Volume 3
Proper Tools To Keep ‘Em Running
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Lubrication is the key to keeping any weapon in proper working order. From rear left is a Browning .30 caliber machine gun oil can. In the middle is an Aladdin type oil can for the German Maxim MG08 machine gun. On the right is a lubricating oil can for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun. On the bottom (left to right) is a Vickers oil can, an oil bottle for the Colt Model 1895 Automatic Gun “Potato Digger”, and oil bottle for the Model 1921 Thompson submachine gun that fits in the buttstock, an oil can marked “huile” for the French Hotchkiss Model 1914 or the French St. Etienne Model 1907 and the oil can for the German MG34.

By Robert G. Segel

As collectors and shooters of automatic weapons know, keeping and maintaining these machine guns in working order is no easy task, particularly the classic, tired pre-1945 models. And with the rarity of some models, physical external appearance is just as important in determining collectors value as is the operational aspect. How many times have we all seen the results of improper tools applied and used on guns which ultimately scar and mar the gun’s finish, strip screw heads and break key parts? How many Thompson submachine guns have we seen with screwdriver scratches and pry marks on the frame and pivot plate assembly where well meaning, but ignorant, people thought they could completely disassemble the gun using common household tools? How many barrels have we encountered that show the ugly tell tale scars of vise, channel lock or just plain old pliers marks forever deeply gouged into the metal? Horror stories abound. As ridiculous as it sounds, the common household screwdriver (one size fits all), the steel claw hammer and pliers are the tools of choice and convenience in the majority of do-it-yourself styled hobbyists. This is truly a recipe for disaster in devaluing your expensive and rare weapon.

Armorers tool chest for the Finnish Maxim water cooled machine gun. This kit contains all the tools necessary to keep the Maxim running. Housed in a leather and metal frame carrying case it has a shoulder strap for portability.

Manufacturers of these firearms produced a number of specialized tools to support the take down and maintenance of these weapons. Sometimes extremely simple such as a specific sized wrench to the more elaborate combination tools that utilized a number of specific tools “combined” into one unit. These often had such tools as exact sized screwdriver, barrel wrench, muzzle gland wrench, flashider wrench, pin punch and gas regulator key. These tools provided a quick and easy means of servicing the weapon for either routine maintenance or expedient field repairs. These tools were meant to be used in the field by the soldiers. Depot tools, gages and jigs are another subject and for use by only truly qualified gunsmiths or armorers.

Other simple but necessary field tools include ruptured case extractors of various designs, oil cans or bottles, gauges for measuring headspace, timing and chambers and, of course, the lowly but very important cleaning rod. Headspace and timing gauges are particularly important for Browning type heavy machine guns since the headspace and timing can be adjusted by the gunner particularly after field stripping. Woe to the shooter who fires his Browning out of battery. Proper lubrication is also an absolute necessity to keep wear and tear to a minimum. It is wise to keep all working parts well oiled but remember that too much oil can be just as harmful as no oil at all. Too much oil can attract and retain dirt and grime which acts like sandpaper to grind your moving parts down to unacceptable tolerances.

While the tools mentioned are carried by the machine gunner for expedient repairs in the field, there were also elaborate armorer kits that contained even more specialized tools to patch holes in water jackets or repair cloth belts as well as containing some spare parts that were likely to wear out after heavy use or were prone to loss or breakage.

Other tools for some very early weapons (from the top). Combination tool barrel wrench and screw driver for the M1914 Colt Automatic Gun “Potato Digger”. Next is the combination tool for the Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle Model 1909. On the bottom is a ruptured case extractor and screwdriver for the M1895/1914 Colt Automatic Gun.

The old adage “Proper tools will produce proper results” is very true. Changing a barrel with a properly sized and function specific barrel wrench on a Colt Model 1914 “Potato Digger” or a Model 1909 Benet-Mercie is a snap versus the all to often disastrous results of using a pair of vise grips. Most of these weapons are pretty tired after all these years. They have had hard use and abuse in the military and in many cases have survived actual combat usage. Treat them with respect and take care of them. Using the proper tools will help keep the value of your gun and not turn it into a piece of junk. Try and find the proper tool or combination tool for your treasured machine gun. It may take a little work but they are there. And by all means invest in a set of quality gunsmith screwdrivers. You will never be sorry you did.

Tools for the German Maxim water cooled machine gun. (From the top) Tongs to remove empty cartridge cases that have fallen down into the receiver. This tool is mounted on the MG08 sled mount. Punch pin for driving out pins. Combination tool hammer and wrench (for the muzzle booster) and a chamber cleaning jag that also mounts to the MG08 sled mount.
Tools for the British Vickers Mk. I water cooled machine gun. (From the top) Clearing plug tool to remove ruptured cases from the chamber. Combination tool that includes muzzle booster wrench, muzzle gland wrench and lock arm adjusting tool. Flat nosed pliers and screw driver and a punch pin and drift.
The .50 caliber Browning machine gun and its set of field tools (from the top). Combination tool with buffer adjusting screw driver and muzzle gland wrench (for the water cooled version), timing and head space gauges and a ruptured case extractor.
Even the venerable Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Model 1918 had its own tool which contained tools for the gas cylinder body, buffer tube cap, flashhider wrench and counter recoil spring screw driver.
This Lewis gun leather tool roll contains the following spare parts and tools (from the top): Leather tool roll. Metal box containing the front and rear luminous sights for night firing. Spare bolt. 3/4 inch wrench. Mouthpiece spanner with clamp spring positioning stud. Clearing plug to remove ruptured cases with pry bar on the end to remove live or spent cartridges from the chamber. Even the tension scale is a useful tool in that it has a screw driver on one end and a punch on the other.
Combination tools are a tremendous asset to properly service your weapons. These tools are for the Browning series of .30 caliber machine guns. (From the top) World War II era combination tool different size wrenches, buffer plate screw driver and a pin and drift. The next combination wrench is an early tool for the water cooled M1917 and M1917A1 with just a muzzle gland wrench, buffer plate screw driver, pin and drift and screw driver end. Early style ruptured case extractor. Late style ruptured case extractor. Chamber measurement tool. Timing gauge for all the .30 caliber ground guns with a minimum .03″ go gauge and a maximum .12″ no go gauge. The headspace and timing gauge on the bottom, is for the ANM2 aircraft gun, not the ground guns.
Armorers chest for the Schwarzlose Model 07/12 water cooled machine gun. The overall size of the carrying case is the same size as the Schwarzlose ammo boxes. This very complete case contains all the proper tools needed for the gun including screw drivers, punches, drifts, gauges, cleaning rods, and wrenches. The kit also includes key spare parts including firing pins, extractors, bolt, ejectors, springs and other key small parts. All tools and spare parts are fitted in a specific location within the box. Everything you would need to keep the old Schwarzlose in tip top running condition.
The German MG34 armorers tool kit. This neat little unit folds up and fits inside a standard German ammo box for ease of carrying. This complete tool kit for the MG34 includes files, hand vice, micrometer, wrenches, pliers, hammer, punches, drifts, screw drivers and gauges.
Specialized tools for the French Hotchkiss Model 1914. A cartridge case extracting tool and a combination wrench with gas key regulator, flashhider wrench and barrel wrench.
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V3N3 (December 1999)

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Tags: 1999Robert G. SegelV3N3
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