M1918 A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) : Viet Cong

Place Asia: Vietnam, Phuoc Tuy Province
Accession Number RELAWM40070
Collection type Technology
Object type Firearm
Physical description Metal, Wood
Maker Royal Typewriter Company Inc
Royal Typewriter Company Inc
Place made United States of America
Date made c 1941-1945
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Description

M1918 A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Large machined steel action and barrel with a gas port underneath. Marked BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE-U.S. CAL .30 M.1918 A2-MANU'F'D BY ROYAL TYPEWRITER COMPANY INC, the serial number and PATENT APPLIED FOR. On the left side near the trigger guard it is stamped ROT in a rectangle 6535470 (part number) 60 and ARMA STEEL. It has a brown plastic butt with a folding steel shoulder plate brace and a wooden fore grip. It is complete with an adjustable bipod attached near the muzzle, a folding top carry handle and a detachable 20 round magazine.

History / Summary

This weapon was captured by Tracking Teams of 2 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) on 5 November 1967, in support of the American 3/5 Cavalry Regiment in Phuoc Tuy Province, whilst tracking snipers that had been inflicting casualties on the American Cavalry unit taking part in Operation Santa Fe. The tracking team after following four Viet Cong for approximately 5,000 metres sighted and engaged them resulting in two VC killed in action. This weapon and several rocket rounds were captured.