Armourer's Envy: OK SME's, what is this?

[1feral1]

I thought I'd place this here, as in its proper spot, it might give it away all too soon.

Aside from the Siamese cat paws, challenge coins and patches, identify this 'red/yellow' boxy shaped thing by telling us the fol:

1. What is this

2. Actual designation

3. Used on what type of equipment; and

4. Era

Good luck, and this is NOT that difficult.

Regards,

Wes

EDITed for spelling

 

[1feral1]

Some more pics

 

[vonGarvin]

I'll take a stab at it.

It's a blank firing attachment.

Designation: not a clue, mark II

Used on a WWII era MG.  I will guess Vickers MG.

Era: See above.

 

[AmmoTech90]

I agree, a BFA of sorts.  Looks like it would mount on weapon with a short flash eliminator due to the clamp on the end.
I would also say that the foresight would be further to the rear as the mount would interfere with it so it isn't something like a SMLE.
Australian Vietnam era M16 BFA?

 

[1feral1]

Ha!

Yes its a BFA, and no, it is not Australian.

Yes it is old.

You would be suprised what it fits on right now!!!

Keep trying  ;D

 

[Monsoon]

Based on the size alone (if the photo's perspective isn't wonky) I'd say it could fit on a 40 mm, so maybe it was for the Bofors 40 mm in their previous life as anti-aircraft guns in Germany? I guess the era would be 1960s to 1980s.

 

[1feral1]

Nope, its for a rifle, vintage is 1960s, so correct there.

 

[danchapps]

Just a stab in the dark here, but is it for a C1 by chance?

 

[kkwd]

Just a stab in the dark here, but is it for a C1 by chance?

You will see a BFA attached to a C1 in the picture at the bottom of this page.

 

[Brasidas]

Nope, its for a rifle, vintage is 1960s, so correct there.

M14 BFA?

 

[1feral1]

No sorry, not for an M14.

Ammotech90 is partially right. I was hanging out to see if someone could get it totally right. I picked this up at an arms fair a while back in a junk box.

This BFA no doubt, saw Australian service, as Australia had obtained thousands of US M16, and later M16A1 rifles, all on lend-lease, and no rifles were purchased after 1970. Australia was involved in the Viet Nam War for 11 yrs, from 1962-1973, and sent over 50,000 troops to Viet Nam with around 600 KIA.

The BFA is for the first production early Colt M16 rifle, c.1964 (but the design would go back to around 1960ish, so I guess he gets the credit for identifying the weapon it fits on.

In reality, its the first generation of US designed and manufactured BFA which first appeared in the early 1960s, and does not fit on the M16A1 (post 1968) bird cage flash suppressor (or later A2 --post 1982-- C7 type), but slides over top of the three pronged early type M16 flash suppressor.

Originally painted yellow, it was somewhere in its life when it was later painted red, as US Forces and Australia still have all BFAs/BFNs/BFBs painted red. Australia once upon a time had yellow BFAs as did the English, and Canadians, I do beleive both nations still have yellow coloured BFAs (al la L85, L7, C7 and C9 FOWs).

Anyways, truly a rare item these days, and is a museum piece belonging in a historic collection, although still 100% serviceable.

Thanks to all for having a go.


Cheers,

OWDU

Ya, as usual EDITed for spelling.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Whoohoo!

What's my prize?

Interesting Wes, thanks for showing it.

D

 

[danchapps]

It's very interesting to see the difference in technology from 40 years ago to today's kit. Thanks for posting it Wes!

 

[SupersonicMax]

OWDU,

Off Topic:  Where did you get these coins stands????

 

[1feral1]

Hi Max,

I got some of them at a PX in Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, the others came from a PX in Okinawa, so any US PX should have them, I think they come either 2 or 4 to a packs if I remember right, and they are just a couple of bucks - Cheap!

Maybe a larger CANXEX might have them, but nothing in the Jaw, thats a pathetic shop, was there in Aug 08.

Hope this helps you out.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[George Wallace]

CANEX is a shadow of its former self. 

 

[1feral1]

Well you're lucky you have a former shadow, here we have nothing but something called Frontline where a can of Coke is $2.00. Machines on base are $1.40.

I, like many others boycott Frontline because its a filthy ripoff, just selling deep fried overpriced junk food porno mags (4 chicken strips, a coke and chips for $12.00), and booze, yes at higher prices than outside the bases. Then they enforce a policy that all Messes must buy booze and choc bars etc only from them. How they get away with this is sickening. Hence higher prices in Messes which no one goes to anyways.

The last real CANEX I was in was in Shilo in 2000, at least there was an attempt to have a little bit of variety.

Mini rant off.


Cheers,

Wes

 

[SupersonicMax]

OWDU, thanks for your quick reply.  I'm in Cold Lake now, so I'll check out at the Canex here.  It's quite bigger.

 

[George Wallace]

I, like many others boycott Frontline because its a filthy ripoff, just selling deep fried overpriced junk food porno mags (4 chicken strips, a coke and chips for $12.00), and booze, yes at higher prices than outside the bases. Then they enforce a policy that all Messes must buy booze and choc bars etc only from them. How they get away with this is sickening. Hence higher prices in Messes which no one goes to anyways.

Wes

NPF does the same thing here.  They even sic the NIS on Unit Canteens to ensure all foods and beverages are bought from CANEX.  Wet Mess prices are now equal to off Base prices, but the music isn't as loud, the numbers of women are less, etc.  Happy Hours are now a No No.  CANEX prices are no longer cheaper than their competitors downtown.  A scam in the eyes of many.  Poor management/business sense in the eyes of others.

Pretty much the same as what you have.

 

[George Wallace]

What else do you have to tempt the SMEs?