Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 2, 2016 Hey all, I have decided to start building custom replica prop weapons for clients. I have received enough requests for my services when people see my finished work that my mind has been made up about it as a viable business venture. My first project officially for my business and not for my own collection will be a moving 1:1 scale Browning .30 calibre M1917 water cooled HMG, with ammo box, water can, and fully functional tripod. The top cover will flip up, and the trigger will be spring loaded and will pull. The tripod will traverse and elevate just like the original. When I posted previous projects folks have wanted to see progress pictures. I am going to take pictures throughout the entire process and upload here so people can appreciate how much effort goes into these replicas. I have already spent a week blueprinting and thinking about how I will do things. Today I started the construction of the piece. I expect this build to take 2-3 months; a few hours a day, and I will update this thread each week. So stay tuned to watch this thing take shape! If any body wants to post M1917 related photos and info please do. This thread should be a party! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted August 2, 2016 Blue prints are ALWAYS the first step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted August 2, 2016 Barrel Assembly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted August 2, 2016 First piece of the puzzle: Barrel assembly beginning stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted August 2, 2016 This is everything for week 1. Does not look like much, but imagine that circular structure covered with sheet metal and capped on the end with brass shim.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted August 2, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 2, 2016 Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted August 2, 2016 Share #7 Posted August 2, 2016 A healthy project...don't give away too many trade secrets though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted August 2, 2016 Share #8 Posted August 2, 2016 Give it hell Ronny! It's gonna be great! The other Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted August 2, 2016 Share #9 Posted August 2, 2016 Good luck with it. It is a really nice project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted August 2, 2016 Thanks to everyone! I will update on Sunday. Stay tuned fellow military nerds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45ACP Posted August 3, 2016 Share #11 Posted August 3, 2016 Great project my favorite MG can't wait to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted August 3, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 3, 2016 Sounds like a neat project. Can't wait to see the finished product Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted August 7, 2016 Alright USMF Brethren it is time for the Sunday update M1917 addition. Coming straight to you from my secret lair; is quite a bit of progress on the HMG. I have begun making a carry handle for the barrel assembly, and carved the grip from a solid chunk of poplar. A little bird told me that blued stove pipe would make an excellent barrel jacket. I took it's advice.... Don't own tin snips so I improvised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted August 7, 2016 Forming the metal to the inner structure, securing with sheet metal screws as I go along.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #15 Posted August 7, 2016 Epoxing the seam (JB weld) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted August 7, 2016 Took two coats of epoxy, and quite a bit of hand sanding to achieve a passable under curve. This will be the bottom of the barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #17 Posted August 7, 2016 I painted the bottom a flat black, should look just fine once I am done tinkering with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 7, 2016 The handle was carved free hand with files and sand paper from a square chunk of wood. i am very proud... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted August 7, 2016 Add a front sight.... The progress so far: Thanks to all who follow this thread, stay tuned for the next Sunday update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted August 7, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 7, 2016 Freaking awesome Ronny! Great work and the carved carrying handle looks perfect. I can't wait for the next update. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share #21 Posted August 14, 2016 Coming to you; straight from the secret lair... Here is the week 3 update on project Browning. I did not get much done as I ascended South Sister Mountain with my father the last half of the week, but here is what I have accomplished. I cut sheet brass to cap the water jacket ends, and I mounted the front sight after a quick coat of black primer. The inner structure for the water jacket/barrel assembly was all hand cut and rounded, so they ends are not perfect circles, each being slightly unique. So each end cap had to be side specific. I will use small amounts of plumber's putty and gold paint to camouflage the seams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share #22 Posted August 15, 2016 Attaching with temporary screws and so much epoxy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted August 15, 2016 So far so good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share #24 Posted August 15, 2016 I plan on doing a lot of cleanup, but not much progress was made this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted August 15, 2016 WHERE THE ZEROES AT???? No where over Oregon.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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