Fabrique Nationale FN M1930 (BAR) Light Machine Gun (1930)
The American M1918 BAR was produced under license in Belgium as the slightly modified FN Mle 1930.
Within time, the Colt Patent Firearms Mfg Company took their BAR to the civilian market under the name of "Automatic Machine Rifle" Model 1919 (AMR M1919) and this graduated to become a 1924 upgrade and a follow-up 1925 upgrade known as the "Model 1925". It was the 1925 variant that would serve as the basis for a new Belgian light automatic weapon under the FN Herstal brand production label. License-production of the Colt M1925 allowed the famous BAR to be adopted by the Belgian Army service as the FN Mle 1930 (or "Fusil Automatique Modele 1930").
While largely respectful of its American BAR origins, the Mle 1930 incorporated some changes to suit Belgian Army requirements. This included a revised magazine case, a heavy-duty barrel assembly, a carrying handle, a new gas cylinder regulator, new ejection port covers and a folding bipod. One key defining physical feature of the Belgian version was the rather novel ribbed section of barrel intended to counter the effects of heat build up along the assembly during sustained fire. However, the actual value of this design addition was somewhat doubtful and more akin to World War 1/post-war machine guns. The weapon was primarily chambered for the standard Belgian 7.65mm cartridge of the period though other chamberings would eventually appear due it being offered commercially.
The Mle 1930 enjoyed a relatively favorable presence in the world market as variants were sold to overseas places like China, Poland and Chile. The Mle 1930 series was eventually modernized prior to World War 2 in 1932 to become the "Mle Type D" incorporating a much-needed "quick-change" barrel function and simplified receiver and went on to be chambered for the larger-caliber 7.92x57mm Belgian Mauser cartridge. In the post-war years, it was adapted further to make use of the .30-06 Springfield and NATO-standard 7.62x51mm cartridge in keeping up with changing battlefield requirements.
At any rate, the Mle 1930 was a respected and serviceable weapon though it did retain the key limitations of the original American BAR design of 1918 - it was relatively expensive to produce in the numbers required and was tactically limited by its 20-round box magazine. By the 1960s and 1970s, there proved vastly superior options available on the world stage and the Belgian BAR fell to disuse. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Fabrique Nationale FN M1930 (BAR)
Light Machine Gun
Country of Origin: Belgium
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre, Herstal - Belgium
Initial Year of Service: 1930
Overall Length: 1143mm (45.00in)
Barrel Length: 508.00mm (20.00in)
Weight (Empty): 19.84lbs (9.00kg)
Cartridge: 7.65x53mm Belgian Mauser
Action: Gas-Operated; Tilting Breech Block
Feed: 20-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 2,400ft/sec (732m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 575 rounds per minute
Range: 2,600ft (792m; 867yds)
Sights: Iron Front and Rear
Variants:
Mle 1930 - Base Series Designation
Mle D ("Type D") - Modernized Mle 1930
Operators:
Belgium; Chile; China; Poland; Sweden
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