Veteran in service since 1921 to finally retire

[ELB]

http://www.army.mil/article/150794/

Roughly 94 years after the first production run of M2 machine guns came off the assembly line, the 324th weapon produced made it to Anniston Army Depot for overhaul and upgrade.

In more than 90 years of existence, the receiver with serial number 324 has never been overhauled.

...

Modifications made to the weapon in the field mean part of the receiver would have to be removed through welding and replaced with new metal, a process which usually means the receiver is scrap.

...

Currently, the 389th M2 is on display in the Small Arms Repair Facility. There is an approval process the older weapon would have to go through in order to be similarly displayed. Clark and Jeff Bonner, the Weapons Division chief, are researching and beginning that process.

[oljames3]

http://www.army.mil/article/150794/

Roughly 94 years after the first production run of M2 machine guns came off the assembly line, the 324th weapon produced made it to Anniston Army Depot for overhaul and upgrade.

In more than 90 years of existence, the receiver with serial number 324 has never been overhauled.

...

Modifications made to the weapon in the field mean part of the receiver would have to be removed through welding and replaced with new metal, a process which usually means the receiver is scrap.

...

Currently, the 389th M2 is on display in the Small Arms Repair Facility. There is an approval process the older weapon would have to go through in order to be similarly displayed. Clark and Jeff Bonner, the Weapons Division chief, are researching and beginning that process.

All of the weapons I worked with in Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Officer Basic and Advanced Courses have been replaced or retired ... except for the M109 (now M109A6) and the Ma Deuce.

[JALLEN]

I guess the Planned Preventive Maintenance program got a little bogged down.

[F350-6]

I've always found it amazing that in this day and age of computer aided drafting and engineering, metallurgy, milling machines, etc., that JMB could come up with designs 100 years ago in his head that are still such a favorite today. And to think that so many of the early production ones like this M2 are still alive and kicking, or just now needing an overhaul, is even more amazing.

I wonder what he would be capable of if he were alive and in his prime today with access to all the current tools and gadgets?