kyle Posted January 19, 2005 Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 I'm looking at a transferable Browning 1919A4. The sideplate is engraved as follows... NO 96xxxCBA BROWNING MACHINE GUN CAL 30 1919A4 MFD BY SACO I'm trying to figure out the lineage of this gun. I thought SACO started out making M37s and those guns are stamped SACO-LOWELL. What is this? Are we even taking abou the same SACO? When do you think this gun (or sideplate) was built. It's chambered for 30'06. Any insight would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leid Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hi kyle, I know very little about the 1919A4 and the M37 except what I have read. Some, not all, of the parts on the M1919A4 will interchange with the M37. But the M37 was manufactured by RIA and SACO-LOWELL SHOPS for 1953-1969. Saco never made the M1919A4. Saginaw Steering Gear DIV. (GM) and Buffalo Arms Corporation were the only contractors of the M1919A4 that I remember. And RIA made a few experimental lightened versions of the M1919A4. The pictures I have seen of the M37 side plate made by SACO are stamped "MFD. BY SACO-LOWELL SHOPS", not just "MFD BY SACO". Who is listed on the F3 or F4 as the manufacturer and which model is listed on the paperwork? Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted January 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hold on to your hat... Th Form 3 lists the manufacturer as Browning USA. Where in the hell did this gun come from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leid Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hi kyle, This is like quick sand, it just keeps gettin' deeper! Let me ask you something, as I have been down this road before on a BAR. Did you actually see Browning listed as the manufacturer on the F3, what is the model number listed on the F3, and is the SOT knowledgable as far as BMGs go? Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted January 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 I have asked for a copy of the F3 but have not received it yet. Here's everything I know of the gun... Engraving on right side of gun NO 96XXXCBA BROWNING MACHINE GUN CAL 30 1919A4 MFD BY SACO Form 3 a Browning USA b. Machine Gun c. .30 d. 1919A4 e. 24 " f. 39" g. 96XXXCBA The Xs are actual numers but I just X'd them in case the seller doesn't want the full serial number posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leid Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 Hi kyle, The pictures I have of original Saco M37 and M1919A4 side plates are markedly different than what you state is marked on this MG. If you do not have it, get Frank's book "Hard Rain: The History of the Browning Machine Guns". As the architect on the Leaning Tower of Pizza once said to the mason, "Hold on Giuzzeppe, something is not quite right here". If you have pictures, post 'em. Carey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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