The Browning Automatic Rifle (B.A.R.) Model 1918

This iconic weapon of the Home Guard was born out of the need for a mobile light support automatic to back up the advances of the U.S. Infantry across the battlefields of Northern France. It was a selective fire weapon with a magazine capacity of 20 rounds, designed originally to be fired from the hip, at the walk with the aid of a belt mounted metal butt shoe. The calibre was .30 U.S. rimless ammunition.

Production ran to a Model 1918 A.1 and A.2 incorporating bipods, ABS plastic butts, carrying hands and butt straps. These production models never reached the British Home Guard who were expected to fire from the shoulder, with the help of sandbags or anything else that was handy. In practice, many units with access to the technology produced locally made mounts from angle iron and other available materials.

With the influx of U.S. lease lend weapons came a significant amount of B.A.R's and their ammunition. They became the standard squad or platoon light support weapon of the Home Guard for the duration of the war.

The small webbing pouches, manufactured from 1942 and and generally worn by the Home Guard became commonly known as B.A.R. pouches. This is incorrect as in Home Guard Regulations 1942, they are listed as: Pouches, Web, Ammunition (Home Guard Pattern). Not only does the B.A.R. Magazine fit them but also A.P. Grenades and S.A.A.

Other ardent fans of the M1918 B.A.R. were famous gangsters such as Bonnie and Clyde and many Federal Law Enforcement agencies who found it much more effective than the much publicised "Chicago Piano" (Thompson Sub Machine Gun")

The B.A.R. was still being used by the U.S. Army during the Korean War. 1950-53.

Article written by Richard Hunt, Author of "Uniforms of the Home Guard"