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This is a Browning M1919A4 machine gun made by Saginaw Steering Gear of Saginaw, Michigan. M1919s were widely used on American tanks and AFVs during the Second World War, including those supplied to the British. In contrast British-built tanks used the BESA. After the war, tankers with experience of both lobbied for the adoption of the Browning, which finally happened in 1954. 

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CavScout

Always cool. This one the museum's?

Scott Walworth

The BESA. I’ve read about how the British tanks had the BESA for years now but I’ve never looked into the history or mechanics of the gun itself. I can’t help but wonder why the tankers would choose the Browning over the BESA. Was it because the manufacturer was now behind the Iron Curtain? Was it ammo type, cost, reliability, ease of use or some other reason?