Original U.S. WWII 1918 BAR Cutaway Oversized 8 Foot Classroom Trainer by J.H. Keeny & Co. with Magazine

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an incredible World War Two J. H. KEENEY & CO. 1918 BAR cutaway USGI classroom non-functional enlarged training model. Oversized measuring approximately 95" in length and constructed of painted cast metal, this is a classroom demonstrator of the famous Browning M1918 Automatic Rifle for educating soldiers during WW2 on the inner workings and operation of the rifle, including the open bolt operation, magazine, feeding, etc.

Rifle actually "functions" when the bolt is cycled, demonstrating the open bolt working, though it is finicky and requires a good amount of force. The trainer still has the original magazine, often lost, but does not have any of the dummy rounds. This example looks to have been fully repainted / restored recently, and really looks great.

J.H. Keeney is widely known for their manufacture of amusement rides. During World War II, they were commissioned by the US government to produce these models in an effort to help with field use of the model weapon. Magazine has cutouts on the right side as a cartridge / magazine spring viewer, and extra plastic dummy rounds that each measure 6.5" in length. A lovely display piece that would look great on the wall!

History of the BAR- The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was a family of United States automatic rifles and light machine guns used by the United States and numerous other countries during the 20th century. The primary variant of the BAR series was the M1918, chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge and designed by John Browning in 1917 for the U.S. Expeditionary Corps in Europe as a replacement for the French-made Chauchat and M1909 Benet-Mercie machine guns.

Final development of the M1918A2 was authorized on 30 June 1938, The FN-designed pistol grip and rate-reducer mechanism with two rates of automatic fire was shelved in favor of a rate-reducer mechanism designed by Springfield Armory, and housed in the buttstock. The Springfield Armory rate reducer also provided two selectable rates of fully automatic fire only, activated by engaging the selector toggle. Additionally, a skid-footed bipod was fitted to the muzzle end of the barrel, magazine guides were added to the front of the trigger guard, the handguard was shortened, a heat shield was added to help the cooling process, a small separate stock rest (monopod) was included for attachment to the butt, and the weapon's role was changed to that of a squad light machine gun. The BAR's rear sight scales were also modified to accommodate the newly standardized M2 Ball ammunition with its lighter, flat-base bullet. The M1918A2 walnut buttstock is approximately one inch longer than the M1918 BAR buttstock. The M1918A2 barrel was also fitted with a new flash suppressor, and fully adjustable iron sights. Late in the war, a barrel-mounted carrying handle was added.