Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Thanks for the information and photo, guys!
So if not adopted, does that make em an unusual find...........or dirt common because the army disposed of the lot.

If mounted as the photo Darrin posted, wouldn't it be a bugger to use? Where does the gunner hold onto? There is a thick metal tube that has a complex two part release catch, and in the 'stored' or locked position it is sitting right down against the traverse ring. I originally thought it was a release catch for the locking mech. but I looked closer today and it has absolutely nothing to do with the locking catch. Could this actually be the piece that gunner holds onto, with the two handed release catch being the firing trigger?????

In the first of the following two photo, you can easily see the part I mean. It is the thick tube running across behind the two shafts that run parallel to the gun itself. The two part lock system can be seen too and it would be roughly where the hands might be if placed like in your photo, Darrin.

mgt5.jpg mgt6.jpg

I guess I start searching for more 50 cal shells now! These were enough to fill the top row of an ammo box with some to hang out of the box with lid ajar. Majority of the ammo box was foam padding. I don't remember exactly why I did this, but it was about 10 years ago now, at least.