It was an enduring design and remained in service until the 1960s.
The Ordnance men wanted to develop a completely new general purpose MG, something akin to theGerman MG34and MG42.
A Heavy Light?
The M1919A6 saw service with the reconstituted West German Army during the late 1950’s. Image: Author’s collection
The A6 was little different from the A4, which allowed for minimal additional training.
On the other hand, the A6 could be mounted on the M2 tripod, just like the A4.
The A6 fired a little bit faster, but not enough to be noticeable.
The Browning M1919A6: Showing the carrying handle and the muzzle-mounted bipod. Image: Author’s collection
Combat necessity and G.I.
ingenuity created some flexibility in the use of the Browning M1919A4 even before the arrival of the A6.
Ordnance sought to copy the MG42 in .30-06 caliber resulting in the ill-fated US T24 Machine Gun.
A U.S. soldier with an M1919A6 in the Alsace region of France, during the spring of 1945. Image: NARA
After a miserable performance during initial testing, the T24 was canceled and the M1919A6 was pushed ahead.
West German troops also used them during the early 1960s.
A booster cap is furnished with the M1919A6 gun to speed up the cyclic rate.
The M1919A6 in action with the 77th Infantry Division on Okinawa during 1945. The gun carries the mounting pintle for the M2 tripod. Image: NARA
It is affixed to the front barrel bearing by means of a detachable retaining clip.
Some belts have a metal strip at one end only.
Gunners Position.The gunner (No.
Military Policemen in the U.S. Army guard a train depot during the Korean War in 1951. They are armed with an M1919A6 light machine gun. Image: NARA
The upper part of the body rests on the elbows.
The left hand grasps the shoulder stock, palm down.
The right hand grasps the pistol grip firmly, with the forefinger on the trigger.
The Browning M1919A6 in action with the 30th Infantry Division in Germany during October 1944. Image: NARA
The eyes are focused on the target through the peep sight.
The body is relaxed.
The breath is held during aiming and firing.
The Browning M1919A6: Showing the easily attached metal shoulder stock, pistol grip, and rear sight. Image: Author’s collection
Small lateral adjustments of the line of sight can be made by moving the shoulders.
If lateral movement is sufficient to require movement of the elbows the entire body is shifted.
And when it comes down to it, thats what it needed to achieve.
The M1919A6 at work in the Philippines during early 1945. Image: NARA
M1919A6 tactics are demonstrated by a paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne during early 1946. Image: NARA
An Air Force trainee hoists the 32-lb. M1919A6 into the off-hand position. The bipod lies in the grass ahead of the gun. Image: NARA
Soldiers with the U.S. 25th Infantry Division in Korea during January 1951. Image: NARA
An NCO demonstrates the “assault fire” technique with a stock M1919A4 in this photo. The Sergeant is not using a pad or glove to protect against the quickly heating barrel. Image: NARA
