Hi, I found an interesting item in a german forest the other day, but can't seem to find what it is exactly. I think it should be a british/canadian item as it was found at <50 meters from a Bren barrel/bipod and a sten-magazine. The total length of the pole is 90 cm but can be shortened, the diameter is 35mm (the thin part 25mm) and the material seems to be stainless steel. There are a number of markings which may help to indentify the object: on the thin part: GTI 12432 FMCO 43. on the thicker part: GTI 12430 FMCO 43 I think it could be some kind of bipod/tripod leg, but it could maybe also be a vehicle part. Thanks in advance, any tips or comments are appreciated!
A couple of thoughts Stainless steel for a machine gun tripod seems very expensive FMCO - possibly Ford Motor Co - so it may be a part from a vehicle TD
Thanks for replying. I agree, that was also my thought. Although the 'foot' really looks like some kind of bipod part and not like a vehicle part, so that has me confused. LH
Bren bipod Bren-gun.com: Bren gun parts,accessories &collectables Although in 2 parts the bottom is holed to allow for adjustments and also the feet are flat as this allows speedy change of position, and probably better suited to all ground conditions TD The tripod also seems to only have flattened feet - The Sustained Fire Tripod » Dunkirk 1940 - The Before, The Reality, The Aftermath Perhaps contact Bren LMG Accessories - The Gunner for clarification - is it isnt it
I agree, we actually found a Bren bipod about 50 meters from this mysterious item. That bipod is also a lot smaller. So a vehicle part sounds more likely indeed. But it would still be an interesting vehicle part with the weird 'foot'. LH
Do you mean this part: Because my item seems to be adjustable or at least movable like a spring (see the first picture).
Yes, that was the part I thought it might be. I agree that it isn't now that I see that long adjusting slot on your picture.
Just looking again at the photos, the middle one when you zoom in could read FMC 043 (presumably this shows manufacture in 1943- a guess) Which to me heightens the chance of it being a part of a Ford vehicle Also looking again at photos 2 & 3 they are definitely not Stainless Steel From photo 1 it looks adjustable but has the locking bolt, so possible part of the steering or suspension. Dave might know if it was part of the mechanism for retaining a machine gun on the top of a truck etc TD
I agree it could me FMCO 43 or FMC 043. I've added two more photos of the adjusting slot after I cleaned it a bit.
Hmm. That's what I learned about WWII today, at least FMC was awarded a contract to design and build amphibious tracked landing vehicles for the United States Department of War in 1941. FMC ranked 64th among United States corporations in the value of World War II military production contracts.[3] FMC Corporation - Wikipedia. Is the material quite thin? Looks like it might be sheet metal tubing.
It looks as though it might hold something apart, similar to the cross member across and engine but perhaps used for the suspension, but then it has that weak point that axial pressure along its length could collapse it Hmm TD
How about a component of a three point tractor hitch? They're adjustable length. Harry Ferguson and the Three-Point Hitch — Antique Power
Does a magnet stick to it? If it is aluminum it might be from an airplane. I've been surprised a couple of times when I found a part I was working with was aluminum.
Is it part of a Bren tripod? Not seen one in ages, but there are 2 single tube parts. The 3rd leg and the raised AA mount.
It is definitely not aluminium as it is also way to heavy. I really think it is stainless steel. Magnets do stick to it.
Wonder if it might be one of these. Said to be a .50 slaved to the main gun on a Sherman. Length adjustment to sight it in?
I can't seem to find much info about that. It also doesn't seem to have the 2 parts my item has which is exactly in the middle. Would be very cool of it actually is something to support a machine gun. LH
I think I finally found it. In this video at 7:26 they mount a Bren gun on top of the pole on a car. that's very cool! LH
