Following the Bolsheviks fiasco in Finland during the winter of 1939, their Maxims, Degtyarevs and the new DShK did not perform in the field as well as their controlled trials would suggest. With the dreadful Degtyarev DS medium machine gun design being canceled and production stopped, the situation would require a bold gamble to find a fresh medium machine gun design. One of the high points of the Soviet system at that time, and presently, is, there never was a shortage of weapons design engineers or design teams. Often several lines of development were pursued at the same time.

This was certainly the case in 1941, as Pyoter Goryunov and his team were already well on the way with their unique medium machine gun and ready to demonstrate it to the military. The SGMB encompassed some of the more remarkable design features of its day. A relatively complex belt feed mechanism was mandatory because of the use of the 7.62x54R rimmed rifle cartridge. With no straightforward stripping of the link, the rimmed round must first be withdrawn rearwards from the belt by using a twin claw extractor device and then pushed down and in line with the barrel via a spring loaded arm in the top cover, then forced forward by the bolt into the breech. Logistically any and all of the Soviet 7.62mm ammunition belts may be used with this weapon, including the Maxim cloth belts.

The SGMB longitudinally fluted chromium plated barrel is massive. It is 32.5 inches long including the flash suppresser, over 1.5 inches round, and weighs in at a beefy 10.25 pounds. A very unique, simple and effective quick barrel change mechanism is found to the rear left side of the feed tray. By pushing down the serrated button with one’s thumb and pulling the .75 x 2.25 inch device to the left 1.75 inch, will release the barrel and can be pulled forward and out of the receiver with its attached wood handle. Built into this device is an efficient micrometer head space barrel lock adjustment. A square Allen head type lock plays against a wedge slot in the barrel. Thus, as the barrel and/or receiver wears, it is possible to unlock the slide device and tighten it in the desired position via an engraved scale marked 0 to 10 after the components have had enough use to make a significant difference in headspace.

The bolt lock, based upon an early patent by Mr. John Moses Browning, is brilliantly simple in design and is similar to the Bren bolt designed by Vaclav Holec of Zbrojovka Brno that cam up and into the rear of the receiver. The Goryunov SGMB cams the rear of the bolt 3/16 of an inch sideways and to the right to lock into a recess in the receiver. The head of the bolt is recessed at an angle with the center of the bolt to give normal support to the base of the round at ignition.

The graceful groove we normally see milled on top of Browning, and many other bolts, associated with the side to side belt feed pawl movement necessary for the belt feed cycle, is absent from the SGMB bolt. Instead we find two, 2.5 inch long slightly angled, side by side and front to rear grooves on the top forward part of the bolt carrier that correspond with two identical raised areas on the bottom of the belt feed slide. With this simple and robust design, the belt feed lever found in most other designs can be eliminated.

The SGMB has a three way adjustable gas port that appears identical with the RPD.

The ejector closely resembles the German MG34 style of a chisel tipped pin placed at an angle through the right side of the bolt to contact the base of the cartridge case. When the bolt and bolt carrier are in recoil, the protruding part of the pin contacts the locking recess of the receiver. The ejector pin and the cartridge are forced forward pivoting on the extractor and the empty cartridge is vigorously thrown through the ejection port on the left side of the receiver.

The large rear sight is finely machined of solid steel with highlighted graduations and is 4.5 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide. Rapid elevation adjustment is accomplished via a spring loaded button and fine adjustment by the knurled knob on the top. A windage knob is at the lower right. The SGMB is sighted to fire either the heavy 200-grain ball using the left side of the sight marked to 2,300 meters, or the more common 148-grain ball using the right side of the sight marked to 2,000 meters.

The SGMB retains many of the original SGM design features, such as the lower right side non-reciprocating cocking handle, no dust covers, adjustable head space and original barrel configuration. The most notable difference is the use of the RPD laminated stock, pistol grip and RPD bipod. Characteristics of the 7.62x54R Goryunov SGMB medium machine gun operates from an open bolt, gas tilting bolt lock-up and is full automatic only with a cyclic rate of 650 rpm and muzzle velocity of 2,832 fps. It is 54 inches long with a 32.5 inch barrel with flash suppressor and weighs 31 pounds. It uses a 250-round non disintegrating metallic belt and its sight radius is 34 inches.

The Historic Arms Conversion

All SGMB parts kits entering the United States must have their receivers torch cut in three places, with a total of 1.5 inches of material missing as prescribed by ATF. The first torch cut is through the trunnion at a 45 degree angle from the top toward the rear. The second is a 45 degree front to rear cut at the center of the receiver and through the ejection port on the left and the locking recess on the right. The third and last compliance cut is 45 degrees from the top front of the sight base to the bottom rear of the receiver. The semiautomatic version of the fully automatic SGMB must fire from a closed bolt and never allow any fully automatic components to fit within the receiver. There must be a positive trigger disconnect after each single pull of the trigger and not be readily restorable to fully automatic operation.

Historic Arms is the leader in receiver restoration with the development and manufacture of the specialized jigs necessary to minimize the possibility of warpage during the initial assembly. As with the Historic Arms semiautomatic Bren and RPD, the SGMB lower disconnecting trigger group is completely interchangeable from one firearm to the other. To facilitate this option, they carefully remove the rear 1.5 inch from a Bren receiver and methodically fit, then welds it to the rear of the SGMB receiver passing on the simple no tools cross pin take down method of the venerable Bren. As with the Historic Arms Bren, they sandwich 1/8 inch thick square plates to the right and left sides of the weakened torch cut receiver. This successful manufacturing technique is used with the SGMB as well in the critical high stress bolt locking recess. A 1.5 x 3 inch beveled plate is carefully welded between the bolt locking recess and the belt feed pawl channel spanning the center torch cut reinforcing this extremely critical area. In order to comply with ATF rules disallowing any fully automatic parts within the semiautomatic receiver, they machined a 6.5 inch long by .25 inch wide channel completely through starting 1 inch from the rear left side center of the receiver and ending at the ejection port. A hardened 6.5 x .25 x .375 inch square rod is fusion welded end to end to the receiver from the outside of the channel then machined back down to its original dimension. Any attempt to remove the rod will in fact destroy the entire receiver. The original right and left channel on the bottom of the receiver intended for the fully automatic sear, spade grip and cocking arrangement has been machined much wider to except the semiautomatic only pistol grip and shoulder stock assembly. Trying to reinstall the original fully automatic parts is impossible, because there is absolutely no physical material to hold them in place. The rear tripod lugs have been removed from the receiver and in their place are the right and left channel/grooves necessary to facilitate the installation of the new semiautomatic lower. The lower used very closely resembles the RPD with its laminated shoulder stock and pistol grip also found on the Hungarian made KGK. Within the trigger group, a simple disconnecting sear replaces the fully automatic parts, slightly repositioned and re-welded in such a way that the selector switch cannot physically be moved into the full auto position. A sliding spring loaded striker assembly is used with the mandated closed bolt in lieu of the more complex less reliable hammer fired system. The original Bren bolt and bolt carrier return spring and operating rod found within the shoulder stock is retained and functions very well with this conversion.

The bolt, bolt carrier and gas piston assembly are amazingly simple in construction and design. The only changes necessary to fit and function within the newly configured semiautomatic receiver is to mill a corresponding groove into the left side of both the bolt and bolt carrier, in this case only the front bottom 1 x 3/8 inch of the bolt must be machined away along with the top rear 2.5 x 3/8 inch of the bolt carrier. On the original SGMB, the bolt has a short nail like captive firing pin that dead ends on the bolt carrier tower causing primer ignition when in battery. The semiautomatic bolt version has substantial changes; the original firing pin is removed and the rear of the bolt has a 3/8 inch hole drilled through it to accommodate the new semiautomatic 4.25 inch long firing pin. This firing pin over hangs the rear of the bolt by .25 inch allowing the striker to impact it. The bolt carrier has the top 3/8 inch of its tower milled away to allow for free movement of the new firing pin.

The original SGM recoil spring assembly is housed within the bolt carrier, a necessity due to the use of spade grips. On the semiautomatic SGMB version, the end of the bolt carrier where the return spring would normally go has been welded closed, and that surface used against the stock mounted recoil spring instead.

As with all of Historic Arms’ wonderful creations, they are carefully and meticulously welded, ground, filed and sanded to perfection, then bead blasted and Dura-Coated. Bluing and/or parkerizing are not an option because of the many welds and discoloration that comes with them.

All Historic Arms products can be field stripped effortlessly for cleaning and maintenance. A single pushpin found at the upper rear of the receiver can be removed to the right, then pull the lower trigger group straight back and off the receiver. Next, the striker will move straight back and out as well, then pull the cocking handle back until you can grasp the bolt carrier and bolt pulling straight back to the rear. The last part to be removed is the cocking handle. Familiarize yourself with this simple procedure as most 7.62x54R ammunition is corrosive and proper cleaning is required each time you fire this weapon.

This outstanding firearm was purchased through Hit and Run Guns, the exclusive distributor of Historic Arms products. It was delivered in a high quality gun case and accessories included two 250 round metallic belts, two ammunition cans and a copy of the BATF letter of approval.

The 32 inch long, ten pound barrel had to go, so a quick phone call to Historic Arms was all it took for them to grant my request. Within the week, the second barrel was in hand; missing about a foot displaying outstanding craftsmanship with an early Bren stainless flash suppresser and new wood handle.

Three other items were needed: ammunition, belt loader and spare belts with their carry cans in that order. J&G Sales of Prescott, AZ came to the rescue with $60 per thousand Czech FMJ 7.62x54R ammunition. Cole Distributing, Inc. of Scottsville, KY came through with new 250 round belts and cans. The belt loader was a little more difficult to locate, but one was found in its original transit case from a gentleman from Poland named Robert Kruk for $120 delivered to Hawaii in seven days.

Test firing the SGMB was done at Ukumehame, the only range available on the island of Maui and located just south of the former Capitol and old whaling town of Lahaina. This rifle, pistol and long range rifle facility is actually a State Park and the day to day work load and maintenance is all done by volunteers from Valley Isle Sport Shooters. The range is shared with several shooting clubs, the Police Department, Coast Guard, Land and Natural Resources, Sheriffs Department and the National Guard to name just a few.

The first time out was with a 250 round can of the yellow tip 200-grain FMJ heavy machine gun ammunition and the original barrel. No sight adjustment was necessary using the bipod and at 230 yards there was no difficulty in putting all the rounds in a 5-6 inch group. There were no failures experienced in either feeding or ejecting. Recoil was minimal and there was no muzzle climb; understandable with a weapon weighing in at 35 plus pounds.

The second test was with 1,000 rounds of the 148-grain Czech FMJ ammo and the custom carbine barrel. The objective was to put the hammer down and run through the belts and cycle the weapon as fast as possible with a semiautomatic weapon. The nineteen inch barrel produced an impressive fireball and the vent holes on the gas tube managed to light both of my sandbags on fire. There were three failures to fire, all with dinged primers, and four failures to eject. The only other complaint was the bipod is about 3 inches too high for me and doesn’t sit right on my shoulder.

Nevertheless, this Soviet workhorse can deliver a lifetime of trouble free trigger time under normal shooting conditions. Historic Arms has produced another winner and is a welcome addition to anyone’s collection.

Sources

Manufacturer
Historic Arms, LLC
(706) 675-0287

Exclusive distributor
Hit and Run Guns
4771 Britt Road #E5
Norcross, GA 30093
(888) 207-2220

Ammunition
J&G Sales
Prescott, AZ
(928) 445-9650

Belts and cans
Cole Distributing Inc.
P.O. Box 247
Scottsville, KY 42164
(270) 622-3569

Range
Valley Isle Sport Shooters
P.O. Box 216
Puunene, HI 96784
(808) 573-4113

by Mark Genovese

In reality, it was legitimate Class 2 manufacturers with the machinery, parts, personnel and know-how already in place who were in the best position to develop semiautomatic-only belt-fed guns from their full-auto derivatives. Two factors were involved in my acquisition of an HK21 semiautomatic-only. In 1984, I purchased an HK91A2 and was impressed with its obvious quality of manufacture. The second factor was the engineering shortcomings of my first semiautomatic-only belt-fed, the Rock Island Armory SA 1. Initially, there were only three companies producing semiautomatic-only belt-fed versions of full-auto originals. They were DLO in Arcadia, Florida with their line of Browning belt-fed guns; Rock Island Armory in Colona, Illinois with the SA 1 version of the M60; and Vollmer Manufacturing of Bloomington, Illinois with a fine semiautomatic-only copy of the HK21. Several years later, Valkyrie Arms in Olympia, Washington, started marketing its great semiautomatic version of the M1919A4 Browning gun.

What the general shooting and collecting public do not know about these complex semiautomatic-only firearms is what it takes to legally bring them to market. The fusillade of BATF rules and regulations forced on the prospective manufacture can be mind-boggling, beginning with “Once a machine gun always a machine gun”. This means that you cannot take a post sample HK21, torch cut the receiver three times as prescribed by the BATF (because in this case it would include the push-in feed box), then assemble these cut parts on a pre-ban HK91 rifle receiver. If you doubt my words, buy a HK21 kit for $1,795 and you tell me how you’re going to re-weld the push-in feed box when there is none. How then did Vollmer Manufacturing make their semiautomatic-only HK21guns? They traveled to the HK-licensed INDEP SA factory in Portugal, negotiated, purchased and imported the unassembled component HK21 parts in the white. Because the parts were never a live machine gun, Vollmer, with BATF approval in writing, was permitted to build their semiautomatic-only HK21 on pre-ban HK91 rifle receivers.

There would, however, be more hoops for Vollmer and their engineering crew to jump through. BATF regulations state that you cannot remove a firearm’s serial number. If you look at where the H&K 91’s serial number is, you will see it is dead center over the push-in feed mechanism unit. Because of the innovative design genius of Terry Dyer, an employee of Vollmer at the time, they overcame this hurdle by cutting away the magazine-well sheet metal to the right and left of the serial number leaving this centerpiece in a straight sheet. Then, it was carefully folded up once and back down accordion style while still attached to the HK91 receiver. This was neatly welded into place up and out of the way of the feed box. It was then finished to provide a raised plaque appearance. All this was completed with prior BATF written approvals. Subsequently came the arduous task of fitting the welding jigs to properly assemble all the parts onto the semiautomatic-only HK91 receiver in accordance with original factory specifications. For all of you that recently purchased a torch-cut HK21 kit with the desire to have it built into a working semiautomatic-only, all is not lost. Although, in reality your chances are slim at best to build a truly legal semiautomatic-only HK21, you could in theory still put together a very exotic HK21 semiautomatic-only, or a Model 11 or the Model 13 in 5.56x45mm (similar to the HK91 but has the trunnion, barrel shroud and quick-change heavy barrel from the HK21). A nice feature of the Vollmer HK21 is that you can easily convert it to magazine-feed by removing all three pieces of the belt-feed mechanism and replace it with a magazine adapter. One sells for about $250, but it will not fit in a Vollmer HK21 without two holes being milled in the receiver. Keep in mind that this work would be a permanent alteration to the receiver, requiring prior BATF written approval. The other adapter is the very rare original HK21 accessory, which will fit perfectly, but will set you back about $750 (mine is marked “HK21 483 11/71”). You will have to change the H&K 21 double-wound recoil spring for the weaker HK91 spring. You will also need a complete HK91 bolt and carrier because the HK21 carrier has an offset belt-feed mechanism slot which will impinge against the inside of the magazine-feed lips, resulting in a failure to strip a round. I was able to avoid the purchase of the HK91 bolt group by slowly stoning the inside of both feed lips. Be careful, it you take off too much material the magazine will not retain the 7.62x51mm cartridge.

On the subject of interchangeability of parts for the Vollmer H&K 21, in various firearms publications, you will find from time to time HK21 barrels selling for around $300 each. They can be German marked “HK” or Portuguese marked “FMP”. The chances are that neither will fully lock up in your Vollmer HK21, and if it does, take a good look at your headspace, as it’s probably not correct. The same goes for the links used to feed the HK21. Everything you will read about this firearm states the 21 is capable of digesting DM13 and M13 disintegrating link belts or DM1 non-disintegrating link belts. After much experimentation, skinned knuckles and UPS deliveries, I can state with authority, the continuous belts definitely do not run in my HK21. You will also read everywhere the HK21 can – by changing the barrel, cartridge guide, belt feed insertion unit and bolt – be converted to fire 5.56x45mm or 7.62x39mm cartridges. Let me let you in on a little secret: your chances of purchasing these HK21 parts are one in a billion, especially the 7.62x39mm. I have heard of sightings on occasion of HK21 barrels in caliber 5.56x45mm and once of a 5.56x45mm HK21 bolt head. But until I see it with my own eyes, it’s all talk. There was a purpose-built, extremely light tripod Model L012 with optical periscope sight. These are as easy to get as the 7.62x39mm conversion parts. I once heard one was selling for $2,500.

I got around this one by purchasing a FN Model 30 tripod made of lightweight titanium alloy, shipping it to TDyer Gunsmith and Machine Shop (Dept. SAR, RR#2, Box 119, Heyworth, IL 61745; phone: 309-473-3377; email: tdyer@mindspring.com) for a complete rebuild, including H&K black finish. Terry offers a beautifully machined set of adaptors that fit in the bipod shroud slots to the mount. This is the Cadillac of the German Bundeswehr for the MG3 series machine gun, commonly referred to as the MG3 mount. Just last year this set-up would cost you up to $2,500. Supply and demand has changed that. I picked one up last week for under $600, delivered brand-new. In order to fit the HK21, you will need some serious machine work done to the recoiling head. It must be lowered to clear the HK21 feed tray. TDyer Gunsmith and Machine Shop offers his outstanding conversion on a limited basis.

I fully understand that there are people out there who would purchase one of these fine firearms never intending to actually shoot it though I am not one. As far as I’m concerned, burn the paint right off it. Get the barrel so hot, you need an ice pack just to look at it. Definitely put it through its paces. You will feel better in the morning. In my case after about 5,000 rounds of Czech black primer ZV69, things started to get loud and the 4-foot-long muzzle flash aroused my curiosity. When the cocking lever disappeared down range, I figured it was time to check the headspace, there was none. It was absolutely paint and tune-up time. Off it went to Terry’s shop so he could do his magic. I decided to go the whole nine yards. First repair the headspace problem, not as easy as it may sound. In this case it would require stripping the gun completely to the trunnion, replacing it, then rebuilding from the ground up. Second, fit and headspace a spare second barrel and serialize both to the gun. We also decided to smooth out the recoil. This would require a factory long (often called a “E” or Dutch Buffer) buffer. This part is 1 3/8 inches longer than the stock part, meaning the cocking slot would have to move forward by that amount or you would not be able to lock the bolt in the open position. He also reinforced the lock slot with extra material. Then I had the receiver and both barrels cryogenic treated for hardness, fit a new FBI ambidextrous single-fire trigger group, plus a half a dozen other small details. It was worth the wait.

by Mark Genovese

This beautiful belt fed gun first came back to life in early 1996, as a so called hybrid 1917A1 manufactured by DLO of Arcadia, Florida 34266 (phone: 863-491-8622). To get this old Warhorse to run properly I had to step back to the time of washboards, vacuum tube radios and cast iron. The gun arrived without being headspaced and with no manual or instructions. Long Mountain Outfitters (Dept. SAR, 631 North Stephanie Street, #560, Henderson, NV 89014; phone: 702-564-0948; fax: 702-558-1728; email: LMO4MGS@aol.com; website: www.lomgmountain.com) came to my rescue with a copy of Ordnance Maintenance TM9-1205. After much time and many frustrating attempts, the gun started to reluctantly rise from the dead and sputter along. Once it was up and running properly, I took the time to deal with the manufacturers shortcomings. The front cap/sight was a 1/2-inch off center, the trigger group would only trip seven out of ten times, the breech lock cam came off, the receiver was not square and the finish was unacceptable. I decided to send it off to Ohio Ordnance Works (Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 687, Chardon, OH 44024; phone: 440-285-3481; fax: 440-286-8571. Yopu can visit their website at: www.ohioordnanceworks.com) and let Bob Landies do what he does best. The work done on this piece was outstanding. However, still not satisfied with the trigger and its pull I replaced the original with the a unit by Valkyrie Arms (Dept. SAR, 120 State Ave NE, No. 381, Olympia, WA 98501-8212; phone: 360-482-4036; website: www.valkyriearms.com). After that, the gun ran hard and fast and you just had to keep it filled with water and .30/06 ammunition. This year, I put it up for sale on the Internet with a thorough description within ten minutes I received an email from Bob Naess of Black River Militaria Vermont 05142 (phone: 802-226-7204). He graciously informed me that what I was describing was not a 1917A1, but a far rarer Colt MG38. The most obvious distinctions are the front water packing gland, which is larger in size, and the 1917 trunnion and front cap which are male threads while those of the MG38 are female threaded, while its water jacket is male threaded. The MG38 is provided with large 1½-inch brass fittings and chained caps on its water jacket to which a hand operated water circulating unit can be attached. The purpose of this circulating pump is to afford a means for having a constant flow of water passing through the jacket while the gun is firing. The trunnion and end cap are of steel, permitting use of either fabric belts or metallic links. A spring is provided to return the belt feed lever to its normal left position when the top cover is open, so when you close it, you’ll engage the cam groove in the top of the bolt. The breech lock cam has a threaded stud to receive a nut opposite from the current part, in assembly the cam/stud is passed through the hole in the bottom plate and a nut is then screwed on with a cotter pin securing the assembly. The elevating bracket formerly secured by screws is riveted to the bottom plate, an improved bolt handle is provided and it has at one end a projection that can be used to dissemble the main portions of the mechanism from the breech casing. The top cover latch is improved with a hook type handle fitted for positive locking. The belt holding pawl split pin is provided with a knurled head and the cover pin is retained by a cotter pin. In the Colt 1928 this cover pin had a spring lock attached. The MG38 could also be ordered from the factory with a double grip back plate instead of the usual pistol grip, this model was called the MG38B. Regular equipment supplied with each gun as follows: four cloth 250-round ammunition belts, four wood ammunition boxes, one extractor complete, one driving spring, one firing pin complete, one bolt handle, one pawl split pin, one water and one steam plug with chain and a complete set of springs. Accessories: three yards of asbestos packing, oil can with oil, combination wrench, leather case for spare parts and accessories, leather water filling cup, drift tool, ruptured case extractor and cleaning rod. This gun could be provided with area-type anti-aircraft sights and a flash hider at extra cost. Approximate weight of the gun with water is 421/4 pounds, loaded 250-round belt weighs 151/4 pounds and the M35 tripod tips the scales at 68 pounds. This is by no means a complete list of the differences between the 1917 and MG38 but only the most obvious.

With this knowledge I immediately removed my “for sale” post from the Internet and made the decision to return this historic firearm to its original configuration knowing full well it would probably cost a small fortune. The one thing that will make a project like this viable is an aggressive and talented machinist. I was introduced to Mark Jacobs and his partner John Wertz of Black Bear MFG., North Jackson, Ohio 44451 (phone: 303-503-9863). The key to success would be the replication of the right and left side plates plus the bottom plate as well. Our measurements and dimensions were lifted directly from the Colt 1928 as they are identical to the MG38. These early-style side plates differ from current ones with respect to the overall height measurement at the rear of approximately 31/4 inches top to bottom and extending forward toward the trunnion 71/4 inches. Then stepping down to approximately 23/4 inches. This extra material is necessary to accommodate the twelve small button head rivets that hold the bottom plate in place. With the late-style so called “horse shoe” or wraparound bottom plate this extra material is not needed, whereas the MG38 plate mounts on the inside. Consequently, this early-style requires the milling of two 71/4-inch long grooves inside each plate. Fortunately, we were not forced to machine from scratch a new bottom plate. I was able to procure one and the proper return spring from Bob Landies. One other small detail: the MG38 return spring is not held in place by the back plate like the later-style, it has instead a small oval hole milled inside the upper rear right side plate. The return spring has at one end a projection or prolongation that corresponds with the hole. The rear of the spring just resting on the rear plate. Using this early method no screw driver or cartridge is necessary to disassemble the firearm. Mark also had the side plate serial number, model, manufacture and address deeply engraved on a CNC Mill and highlighted in white, absolutely outstanding. The lower cooling hose brass fitting had been damaged in the past and a rudimentary repair was done. We decided this would require proper attention and would entail machining a whole new bottom half including two hours of mill and lathe time for the screws alone. No easy task when you consider the contour of the water jacket.

I requested Marks father, Robert Two Bears, to build one of his military-style transport crates. It is made from solid clear pine, glued and screwed, with military hinges, latches and authentic custom oil board stencils.

The M35 tripod provided with the original firearm was the same as the 1928 Colt. In the construction of the legs of this tripod and their attachment to the brass pivot base, adjustments can be made so that the mount can be changed from an upright to a prone position. Either leg of the tripod can be adjusted separately, so that the gun can be leveled on uneven ground. The cradle has a wide range between extreme elevation and extreme depression. The traversing dial is graduated in artillery mills, which permits using the tripod for indirect fire. The cradle is graduated in artillery mills as well and an elevating screw for finer adjustments is provided. In order to convert the gun to 8MM Mauser we started with an Israeli 1919A4 barrel provided by Mr. Gary Cole of Cole Distributing Scottsville, Kentucky 42164 (phone: 270-622-3569). Turning it on the lathe to the proper Colt MG38 configuration then highly polished and blued with a new cartridge spacer as well.

THE BLACK BEAR SEMIAUTOMATIC-ONLY CONVERSION

Back in the early 1980s DLO was the only manufacturer allegedly in possession of a letter of release from the Department of the Treasury. Essentially this letter purportedly allowed them to make and market the first semiautomatic-only Browning-style 1919A4. In those days the BATF rules were minimal to say the least, basically a dimensionality correct automatic right side plate , bolt, sear and barrel extension. The only difference between the DLO fully automatic and semiautomatic-only versions is a disconnecting trigger lock and a thicker bottom plate disallowing the full-auto lock. Under current BATF rules no full-auto parts can fit the semiautomatic-only receiver. All plates must be permanently attached to the trunnion via welds and the trigger must disconnect after every shot. Most other semiautomatic-only conversions employ a uniformly thicker right side plate. Black Bear is different. It has five 1/8×1-inchX.050-inch raised areas, with two inside the front right side plate of the receiver and three toward the rear. They are barely even noticeable. The right side of the bolt, barrel extension and lock frame have the corresponding relief cuts. With this method of manufacture one cannot install any full-auto internal parts. The rear of the bolt has been machined to accept a sear wider by 0.125-inch than the original full-auto and has a square trigger engagement notch that cannot interface with an original angled trigger notch. It’s also too wide for the original Browning trigger to catch it. The semiautomatic-only trigger is wider at 0.225-inch than the original 0.110-inch and a two-piece design with a return spring inside it. The rear half has a hole for a pivot point and a slot milled in the top to accept the return spring and the front half of the trigger. The front half of the trigger slides forward and is pushed back by the return spring. The square trigger boss that engages the sear is angled opposite of the original and cannot be filed to engage like the full-auto. If the trigger is held back and not released , then as the bolt moves forward the sear will strike the front half of the trigger moving it forward which will not allow the sear to engage with the trigger. The weapon will not fire unless the trigger is released to allow the front half of the trigger to lift up above the sear body then the return spring will pull the trigger rearward back into the sear notch. The accelerator has been machined to allow clearance for the wider redesigned trigger arm. The trigger return is a well-thought-out spring-loaded plunger located in the back plate, on top of the trigger movement slot bearing down on the trigger. This weapon employs a manual block safety as well that will fit through a hole in the right side plate and extend through the lock frame. There is a spring-loaded plunger mounted in the right side plate, which holds the safety in place. It will also keep it in the safe or fire position. When the safety is in the fire position there is a notch milled in the safety shaft, which allows movement of the trigger. When the safety is in the safe position, it blocks movement of the trigger. The receiver is expertly riveted together and all plates are welded to the trunnion on the inside of the receiver, it cannot be taken apart to allow a switch of the right side plate.

by Mark Genovese

With the proliferation of semiautomatic belt-fed firearms, both home-built and manufactured, the real need for an affordable metallic linker is obvious. In the past your choices were few, Lloyd Hahn of Hahn Loaders, St. Charles, Missouri (currently retired) or Guiette MFG., INC., Santee, California. We now have an affordable, very high quality alternative. Model “1” Sales Inc., (Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 211, Fox River Grove, IL 60021; phone: 847-639-3192) is presently offering a beautifully CNC-machined and very robust linker. The base plate is manufactured from high tensile strength aluminum, 111/2 inches wide, 9¾ inches high, 5/8-inch thick. CNC-machined to accommodate twenty rounds of .30-06, .308 or the abundant and inexpensive 7.92x57mm ammunition. The loading handle and corresponding compound linkage is of high carbon steel. The mechanism used closely resembles that of the .50-caliber M7 link loader. This unit is assembled with Allen head machine screws and TIG-welded where applicable. The finish is a dark black anodizing and pre-drilled holes in the base are provided to mount the unit to your workbench. Shipping weight is 13 pounds. For under $200 you can save your fingertips and cut your linking time in half.

By Mark Genovese

I’m sure the many SAR readers understand that the State of Hawaii was a vast staging depot for the US military during the last three wars. Consequently many captured weapons were traded, sold and even lost in local card games. Recently I got a call from a friend in law enforcement asking if I could come to their office and help identify an abandoned rifle. When I arrived I was surprised to find an absolutely beautiful Japanese Type 99 LMG complete except for the flash hider and magazine. The rifling and all internal components were in superb condition, the exterior had a light brown patina and the wood was well worn. I inquired about its local history and was told the story passed down with the weapon. It was supposedly retrieved from a downed Japanese aircraft in the battle of Pearl Harbor and had been wrapped in a towel and stored in an open carport since the end of World War II. I felt at the time, more than likely this was an urban myth because this type of ground gun would never be found in fighter aircraft. I received the correct historical background from Professor Ed Libby of Bowdoin College that put the matter to rest (see sidebar below). The Type 99 is an improved version of the Type 96, itself a copy of the Czechoslovakian VZ26 designed by Zbrojovka Brno arms factory in the early 1920s. The Type 99 fires the 7.7x58mm Arisaka round from an open bolt. It is 46.50 inches in length; weight unloaded is 23 pounds; barrel length is 21.50 inches with four grooves and a right-hand twist. It has a 30-round, staggered-column, detachable, box-type magazine and a cyclic rate of 850 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 2,350 fps. It was in production from 1936 to 1945. When the Japanese Army found it necessary to adopt the 7.7x58mm rimless cartridge, Arisaka improved the Type 96 LMG and introduced the Type 99. The new 7.7x58mm rimless round did not require oiling, as there was slow and adequate primary extraction designed to give an unseating movement before a more rapid extraction. This system reduced the ruptured case stoppages often encountered with the caliber 6.5x51SR Type 96. Machining tolerances were held to very fine limits and a new far better style of quick-change barrel was employed. Other welcomed improvements included provision for the adjustment of the cartridge headspace, a large flash hider, and an unusual monopod found underneath the butt. The receiver is equipped with two dust covers. One manually opens on top of the weapon, protecting the magazine port and internal mechanism. The second is spring loaded at the ejection port and functions like that of the M16, flipping open when the weapon is cocked. The Type 99 can be found fitted with an unusually long bayonet and/or a low power telescopic sight. The front sight is protected by wings and the rear sight an excellent peep.

My friend was under the impression this historical war trophy had to be forfeited to the BATF and destroyed. He was happy to find out there is an option: the Form 10 Application for Registration of Firearms Acquired by Certain Governmental Entities. Form 10’s are an easy way to dispose of unregistered NFA weapons. The department need not disclose where the firearm came from, as it says in section 5. After making some calls they found the War museum on Guam had a Type 99 but it was retrieved from a coral reef and in horrible condition. To make a long story short, we made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Very soon this historical Japanese Type 99 LMG, found in a carport on the small island of Maui will retire to another island where it very well may have been fired in anger some fifty eight years ago.

Type 99 Nambu LMG, (serial number 6358)
By Ed Libby

This Type 99 Nambu Light Machine Gun was manufactured by the Kokura Army Arsenal in Kokura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. By 1929 this arsenal had begun to take on the production of small arms which long had been the responsibility and function of the expansive Koishikawa Army Arsenal in Tokyo; the Kokura Army Arsenal became one of the largest producers of small arms in mainland Japan, and it had a major authority for the supervision of small arms production within the Japanese arsenal system. The markings on the right front of the receiver identify the origin of this Type 99 LMG. At the left in the top line of receiver markings, preceding the Kanji characters or “99 Type,” is the Kokura Army Arsenal symbol, which represents four stacked cannon balls as viewed from the top. The gun’s serial number is immediately below this marking and it is preceded by the Kana syllable “nu,” or “10,” which is inscribed in a circle. All Type 99 LMGs of Kokura Army Arsenal manufacture identified to date have serial numbers preceded by this Kana syllable marking; presumably this syllable designates the only production run of Type 99 LMGs made by Kokura. Directly below the serial number is the gun’s date of manufacture, in this case “Sho(wa) 18.10,” or October, 1943. The Showa Era was the period of the reign of the Emperor Hirohito, which began in 1926 and ended on January 7, 1989 with the Emperor’s death. The number to the left of the period in the manufacturing date represents the gun’s year of manufacture with respect to the beginning of the Showa Era. The number to the right of the period in this date represents the month of manufacture.

The Type 99 LMG design originated with Lt. General Kijiro Nambu at a private arms manufacturing company in Tokyo, Chuo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ltd., where he served as part owner, designer, and adviser until his retirement in 1943. Essentially the Type 99 LMG was a slightly redesigned and strengthened 7.7mm version of the 6.5mm Type 99 LMG then in service, which also was designed by Nambu and which, however unofficially, bore his name. Nambu was Japan’s premier designer of military small arms, and he was well known for his design of his automatic pistols and of the Type 92 heavy machine gun.

The Kokura Army Arsenal took over much of the small arms production from the Koishikawa Army Arsenal in Tokyo after the Great Earthquake Disaster of 1923 devastated Tokyo and parts of this arsenal; the extent of this devastation precipitated the military decision to disperse ordnance production throughout Japan. Constructed as part of this dispersal plan, Kokura was developed sufficiently by 1936 to complete the transfer of the great majority of small arms production from Koishikawa, and the Koishikawa Army Arsenal was reorganized to become Tokyo Army Arsenal Number 1, an arsenal of several factories, which manufactured ordnance, and munitions of all kinds during its period of operation. In 1941, in the early part of the Pacific War, Kokura Army Arsenal consisted of five factories, one research and development laboratory, and one small proving ground located at Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture. Because of heavy bombing raids in 1944, Kokura Army Arsenal factories and the laboratory were moved to Hita City, Oita Prefecture and, although this move was effected in June of 1945, production there was rather limited until the war ended in August of that year. The arsenal mark described above which was used by the Koishikawa Arsenal was continued in use by both the Tokyo Number 1 and Kokura Army Arsenals.

Type 99 LMG production began at Kokura Army Arsenal in 1942 and, as research data collected reveals, was continuing in November of 1943. Possibly Type 99 LMG production by Kokura Army Arsenal continued until war’s end in 1945, but documented information suggests that the production of this weapon ceased sometime in early 1944, perhaps because of U.S. bomb damage to Kokura facilities, because of factory relocation, because of a shift in production priorities, because of materials shortage, or because of combinations of these reasons. Although it is not known at present just how many Type 99 LMGs were produced by Kokura Army Arsenal, a conservative estimate is 7,000 guns. Type 99 LMG serial numbers on Koukura-made guns were consecutive, beginning presumably at “1” and continuing perhaps to approximately 7000.

All Kokura-made Type 99 light machine guns examined by or reported to this author evidence high quality of manufacture of this weapon, with all original design features retained throughout the production period, with no production shortcuts to be noted. Workmanship is very good and parts are fitted carefully, although exterior tool marks are typical. The finish employed is a hot chemical blue black.

The Type 99 Light Machine Gun was made at Kokura and Nagoya Army Arsenals, and at Mukden Army Arsenal in Manchuria; also it was made by two civilian companies in Tokyo – by Hitachi Seisakusho and by Chuo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ltd. The standard light machine gun employed by the Japanese military forces, the Type 99 LMG was an accurate, durable, and reliable weapon. US forces encountered the Type 99 LMG in nearly all of their campaigns of the Pacific War and this weapon appeared in increasing numbers in the later battles of that war.

With the State of Hawaii being a major stop off and R&R hub for most of our U.S. Military heading “In Country”, and for those fortunate ones rotating back to the World, many captured War trophies found a permanent home right here in the Sandwich Isles. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to look over many legitimate, legally papered weapons and several not so legal. With the passage of time and our local humid environment, much of the original paperwork has been lost or simply disintegrated. Recently, I have seen a proliferation of fake captured paperwork being offered with period weapons, for sale on the Internet. I have been blessed with an old friend and decorated war hero who has his original paperwork with the weapon and he was willing to share it with the readers of SAR. He still possesses a crisp memory regarding the circumstances of its capture.

On August 27, 1972 SP4 Warren Baybado of 18th AVN Corps. Can Tho, RVN was engaged in aerial flight in connection with military operations against a hostile force. His Huey UH-1D was involved in the emergency resupply of a friendly outpost in Chuong Thien Province. Known enemy locations were plotted on three sides of the outpost. On the first entry into the LZ, the aircraft began to receive enemy fire. Because of the close proximity of friendly villagers the crew was directed not to return fire unless they could pin-point the position of the enemy fire. Specialist Baybado kept the aircraft Commander advised of general enemy location and returned fire while keeping his aircraft clear of obstacles along their low level route of flight. As the aircraft neared the outpost for the third time, it began to receive many hits from enemy fire. Controlled fire was returned causing a hasty retreat. After the area was reconned, specialist Baybado was presented with a captured Chicom Carbine Type 56, serial number 10147058. This is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Simonov SKS rifle with a folding spike bayonet in place of the normal sword bayonet.

This incredibly robust semi-automatic ten shot carbine, firing the 7.62X39MM Soviet M1943 cartridge, was used with deadly effect against our troops in Vietnam. In production since 1946, it is estimated that perhaps 15 million have been made. After securing the War Trophy Registrations/authorization DD form 603-1 and the Transportation of Firearms Form 9 required by the Chief of Vietnamese Customs, the only thing keeping this trophy from the land of the big PX was his DEROS date. On November 30, 1972 the proud owner and his captured trophy were on a commercial flight back to the world. Before boarding Warren disassembled the carbine, slipping the bolt in his pocket knowing the weapon would be locked in the cockpit with the pilots. After seemingly endless hours in the air the jet finally touched down at Honolulu International Airport. Patiently waiting at the gate for his beloved SKS to be turned over, he was stunned to see the aircraft taxing down the runway and take off into the wild blue yonder. After a tense phone call to the airport on the island of Kauai, the plane’s final destination, the pilot realized the mistake and dropped off the rifle on his return flight. Warren and his prize reside with his family in the old whaling town of Lahaina, on the Valley Isle, Maui.

The one that I own was remanufactured by Black Mountain of Florence, MT for Hayes Otoupalic. They did a fantastic job. I’d dare ya to try and show me where they rewelded the deactivated cut receiver, but it was all done to ATF regulations. The subcaliber device is quite simple yet effective. They take a .50 BMG M2 heavy barrel with two stainless steel washers, one with the outside diameter the same as the inside diameter of the M18 barrel and the other with the inside diameter of the breach. The barrel is then headspaced and both washers are permanently welded in place. There are widely differing opinions on the safety of this style of subcaliber conversion I’m afraid.

The U.S. Military originally trained with a very different subcaliber device, essentially made of a 57mm cartridge case, an inert projectile, a barrel bushing, a machine gun barrel and a lock nut. Simply put, the projectile is drilled through the center to receive a standard A5 .30 caliber barrel, then the subcaliber device is inserted into the M18 chamber using normal loading procedures. The safety issue is the difference in chamber pressure between the .30 caliber and the .50 BMG. The .50 BMG has about the same kinetic energy as an exploding hand grenade. The M18 was designed to vent the violently expanding gas from the 57mm round through the rear breechblock. The escape of these gases is controlled so that no movement of the weapon occurs. This is the recoilless principle.

As a .50 BMG rifle these gases are now contained within the receiver and the M18 breechblock is now acting as the locking bolt. If one takes a close look at exactly how much material is left between the breech block vent holes, one comes face to face with the academic questions, should I stand behind this thing while it is fired? I myself have put over sixty of the Greek manufactured and marked “HXP 74” rounds through this firearm without a hitch. I later examined the breechblock with a magnifying glass and found nothing unusual. That’s not to say something couldn’t happen in the future not withstanding our litigating lifestyle. But in my opinion, it appears to work just fine.

Sighting in this firearm can be a bit of a challenge. The 1917A1 tripod is a given, as many sandbags as you can find and one extra helper wouldn’t hurt. For the target we used a 36” x 12” x 1 1/2” steel plate designed as a counterweight in Otis elevators and donated by them. It was spray painted white so we could see it on the 225 yard berm in Ukumehame firing range. The best way we found to first get in the ballpark was to kneel behind the gun and bore sight straight through the open breech, then bring your M86F telescope traverse and elevation on target. Then load a round, cock the firing assembly and squeeze the handle grip trigger. Even with its muzzle ported for recoil, be prepared. This puppy still likes to come right off the ground, even with the sandbags. After several rounds we heard a loud satisfying gong and watched that sixty pound piece of steel spin like a top.

We spent the rest of the day dinging that steel. I did notice the firearm has a very tight headspace. Closing the rotary breech takes some effort, because of the subcaliber device the original extractor is omitted from the firearm. The first time you try to remove the spent .50 BMG shell you will wish you had fingernails of steel, but most people don’t. What worked best for me was a car tire iron spoon that I painted black to match the weapon.

To complete this project, I had Master Carpenter, Mr. Tom Johnson of Kula, Maui, build an original looking solid wood transit chest, including casters and rope handles. Last but not least, a set of custom oilboard stencils for the chest from Rick Larsen of Westbury, NY. Aloha from the Valley Isle.

Instantly a crescendo of visceral terror – no cash! I was lucky though, a good friend did have the money and said one had my name on it. Thank God. These rifles were produced by Smith & Wesson for the British Government early in the Second World War. Contrary to popular belief, this is a semi/automatic open bolt arm and not fully automatic. The barrel is only nine and three quarter inches long, which technically classified it as a “firearm” that required the two hundred dollar transfer tax and licensing in compliance with the National Firearms Act. A “Short Barreled Rifle”, but they were removed from the National Firearms Act and listed as Curios and Relics not requiring registration. Some states have laws on barrel lengths, so be careful on these. These guns have since left Hawaii to the “Free zones”.

The initial shipment was made to the British in April 1941. But, the rifle failed to pass British endurance tests. Smith & Wesson agreed to a British request to redesign the rifle to accommodate a two-grain increase in the powder charge of the 9mm cartridge. This new design was called the MARK II, and incorporated a heavy corrugated sleeve over the bolt operating handle. This sleeve functioned as additional support against the frame and served as a rotating safety. When used with the two grain overloads, the rifles again failed to pass firing tests set up by the British. This is really amazing to me after you handle these rifles, for you must agree they are built like the proverbial brick outhouse. We’re talking battleship quality, drop forged manganese steel, chrome nickel steel lock-work, nickel steel bolt, and chrome barrel. They weigh almost ten pounds when loaded.

Serial records show only one thousand and ten of the Mark I’s were produced and shipped to the British. Legend has it that at the close of World War II, all 9mm light rifles owned by Britain were destroyed by cutting them in half and disposing of them in the English Channel. Five units were preserved and these are located in the tower of London, British Military Museum, MOD Pattern Room, and the Enfield Arsenal. The one in the MOD Pattern Room has the experimental aluminum stock.

Now, this is what legends are made of. In 1974, Smith & Wesson discovered a limited quantity of crated unfired 1940 light rifles. These were classified as Curios and Relics, and sold as collector’s items. In the group were 173 Mark I’s and 80 Mark II’s. These were finished in the factory by Smith & Wesson personnel, and sold to a Georgia dealer, who helped obtain the exception to the NFA. From this legendary stash of two hundred and seventeen rifles, to my knowledge, these four are the only ones to make it to the 50th state, safe and sound in the old whaling town of Lahaina.

According to Smith & Wesson, under no circumstances should these rifles be loaded or fired. When they were sold to the dealer, there were stickers applied to the buttstocks that stated that. It is suggested that anyone who does fire them use downloaded ammunition. My friend was so excited after taking possession; he immediately made his way to the Ukumehame firing range. Determined to defy logic, he shot a box of ammo through it without incident. The gun ran great- a real pleasure to shoot.

Aloha from Maui!

Mr. Craig Newman, AKA Captain Craig, passed away on June 12, 1999 while taking his morning walk along Kaanapali Beach. He was 53 years old. Craig was a wealth of knowledge especially when it came to Smith & Wesson firearms. He is deeply missed in the gun community on Maui.