Oow bar

[mikeurbas]

A few pics of my OOW M1918 BAR SLR

[Fairbanks007]

Very, very cool! I love John Browning's designs. Is this a shooter, or more of a display piece?

[mikeurbas]

semi-auto shooter !

[RDS]

I wanted one since I watched my first episode of "Combat" as a kid in the 1960s, remember Kirby. Purchased mine over 20yrs ago. Its a 3 digit serial number made with GI parts. Great rifles.

[mikeurbas]

mine is only semi-auto, but i'm really happy with it ! it's built with all new parts now.

[m14brian]

I would really like one but $$$$$$ these days!
m14brian

[mikeurbas]

they've pretty much doubled in price from when they first came out !

[RCS]

carrying handle was not really used in WW2, became standard by Korea

Winter triggers are around, there are a few variations

[mikeurbas]

i currently don't have the carry handle or bi-pod on it. plus i swapped out the bakelite stock for walnut. i just like the wood look better.

[RDS]

Rifles doubled in price, spare parts, mags and accessories tripled in price.

[mikeurbas]

you can still get used mags from oow for 20.00

[RDS]

I used to pay about $5.00 for used BAR mags in the old days.

[m14brian]

Yeah...

Let me take a stab at my dream rifle collection that I don't have, to buy it today-

B.A.R. - any variation in mint condition - ~$6,000+?
1941 Johnson - mint - ~$7,000+?
M1 Garand unissued - ~$4,000+?
1903 Springfield mint any variation - ~$1,000?
1917 Enfield mint any except Eddystone - ~$1,500?
M1 Carbine any year any configuration mint ~$2,000?

That's a lot of money. It's my own fault because I had a couple of them back then and didn't buy the rest back in the '90s but it still hurts. Probably won't be able to pull it off without some windfall.

How close am I?

m14brian

[mikeurbas]

i think a full auto bar is gonna cost a bit more than 6000.00. the oow ones go for about 4300.00 new.

[mikeurbas]

so far i have a mint april '44 m1 carbine, a cmp special grade m1 garand, and the oow bar, along with my gsg mp40 pistol in 9mm, which is a blast to shoot !!;p

[RCS]

Here are some photos of the super rare Model 1918A1 bipod issued in 1937 and in used during WW2 until the Model 1918A2 became standard

[mikeurbas]

thanks for the pcs !

[RCS]

You know back in the 1920's US Ordnance developed a 30 rd and 40 rd magazine for the BAR for anti-aircraft, most if not all were dumped during the early 1930's, but someone now manufactures a 30rd magazine for the BAR and also a unipod out of aluminum. Find Jim Ballou's books on the BAR, I use to exchange emails with him until he died a few years ago.

[mikeurbas]

Ohio ordnance works has a 30 rounder, buts its pricey ! I i have a copy of a rock and a hard place. Great book on the bar !!

[RDS]

Below is a list of some of the BAR manuals I have in my collection
AUTOMATIC RIFLE (BROWNING) MODEL OF 1918 REVISED MARCH 1921
TR 320-25 WEAPONS AUTOMATIC RIFLE (BROWNING) MODEL OF 1918 MARCH 25 1925
FM 23-15 AUGUST 27, 1940
FM 23-15 JULY 10, 1942
FM 23-15 JUNE 30, 1943
FM 23-15 JUNE 30, 1943 1947 EDITION
FM 23-15 JULY 1951
FM 23-15 MAY 1961
TM 9-1005-208-12 AUGUST 1969
TM 9-1005-208-35 MARCH 1970

[RCS]

I have a Oct 1, 1940 FM 23-20 Browning Automatic Rifle, Caliber .30, 1918 Without Bipod.

Also have a Seymour case colored BAR magazine follower, Jim Ballou told me this was done to improve the magazine but just became a spare part

[RCS]

I found a better photo of the Seymour case colored follower plus some photos of the WW1 belt with the metal cup to support the butt while wlking and firing the BAR

[RDS]

Robert
Thank you for posting. I never knew of FM 23-20 or the color case followers.

[CCyooper]

I like BAR’s. When I was in the service we found a couple Vietnam era BAR’s still boxed with all their BII. A friend sold one a few years ago that came out of the WRA reference collection. It was full auto. Not sure what he sold it for but I know it was above $25k. As an aside I have all the test papers and notes from an Ord Sgt who worked at WRA during WWI and inspected BARs.