M1917 Browning machine gun facts for kids
The M1917 Browning machine gun was a powerful weapon. It was designed by John Browning, a famous inventor. This machine gun was used in big wars like World War I and World War II.
It was known for being very heavy. With its stand, called a tripod, it weighed about 100 pounds. Without the tripod, it was still around 42 pounds. Its special design used water to keep it cool. This meant it could shoot for a long time without getting too hot.
Later, a lighter version called the M1919 became more popular. This was because soldiers could move faster with it. However, the M1917 was still used a lot, even in later conflicts.
What is the M1917 Browning?
The M1917 Browning is a type of machine gun. It was created by an American inventor named John Browning. He designed many important firearms. This particular machine gun was built to be very strong and reliable.
It fired .30-06 Springfield bullets. These were standard for the US military at the time. The M1917 was considered a heavy machine gun. This meant it was usually set up in one place. It was not meant for soldiers to carry easily while moving.
How Did It Work?
The M1917 Browning had a special cooling system. It used water to keep the barrel from getting too hot. When a gun fires many shots quickly, it gets very hot. This heat can damage the gun.
The M1917 had a water jacket around its barrel. Water would fill this jacket. As the gun fired, the water would absorb the heat. This allowed the machine gun to fire continuously for a long time. This was very important in battles.
However, the water cooling system made the gun much heavier. It also needed a supply of water. This could be a challenge for soldiers in the field.
When Was It Used?
The M1917 Browning machine gun was first used in World War I. It helped soldiers on the battlefield. Its ability to fire for a long time was very useful.
It was also used during World War II. Even though newer, lighter machine guns were available, the M1917 was still important. It was often used for defense. It could hold a position against enemy attacks.
Some M1917s were even used in the Korean War. This shows how durable and effective the design was. It served the military for many years.
Images for kids
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Val Browning, the inventor's son, demonstrates the M1917.
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M1917 mounted on tripod
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Marines push back a Japanese counterattack during the Battle of Cape Gloucester in 1944.
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A U.S. Marine firing Browning M1917A1 machine gun at Japanese at Battle of Iwo Jima
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A Browning M1917 in action during the Korean War.
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An M1917A1 in Hackenberg Museum (Veckring, Moselle, France)
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Norwegian M/29 in anti-aircraft configuration on the Narvik front, 1940
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See also
In Spanish: Ametralladora Browning M1917 para niños
