Canadian Ferrets 1975 CFB Meaford

[Robin Craig]

This one belonging to Neil Smith in Florida appears to be such a vehicle

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=21069

[Ed Storey]

Perhaps 'smoking gun' is a bit too optimistic, but at least it gives you a general time period.

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Ed and Robin,

Was Canada still using the M1919A4 in the mid-60s or had they been upgraded/modified to L3A3/L3A4 standard? In other words, did Canada modify the .30 cals in service to L3A3/L3A4 standard (and maybe called them something Canadian with a 'C' prefix?) or did they persist with the M1919A4 'as was' until the changeover to the 7.62 mm GPMG? Be interested in your comments on this aspect.

Regards

Mike

[rob love]

We did not adopt the L prefix. They were modified beginning around 1967 and then became the C-1 GPMG. They remained with that designation until the about 1979 when defects were corrected with a major upgrade and they were redisignated C5A1.

I have the some of the modification instructions at home for both of these changes, so could verify those dates if need be, but they will be pretty close.

[David Dunlop]

I have a Canadian Army Battalion level Machine Gun Manual dated 1962 with some 1964 revisions in it and it refers exclusively to the M1919 as a .30 cal weapon, if that helps.

David

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks, Gents, so the CDN Army went from the M1919A4 in .30 cal to the C1/C1A1 in 7.62mm.

Interesting and a contrast to the Aust Army that opted to retain the .30 cal round up until the withdrawal of the L3A3/L3A4 (ie modified M1919A4) in about 2005 when the T50(Aust) turret was removed from the M113A1 APC/LRV fleet during the upgrade to M113(AS)4.

Thanks

Mike

[Ed Storey]

Mike, as Rob listed early in this string the lineage was as follows - .30 cal M1919A4 - 7.62mm C1 GPMG - 7.62mm C5A1 GPMG.