White Prototype Open-Bolt LMG at RIA

Along with his two semiauto rifle prototypes, when White went to England for rifle testing he took along a work-in-progress light machine gun. The weapon was trsted by British officials, but found wanting – largely because it was really not a weapon ready for testing. The “LMG” White built was actually semiautomatic only, although it fired from an open bolt. It used what appears to be an early iteration of the gas system which was much more refined in his selfloading rifle, and it included no provision for using a bipod or tripod (an essential element of a light machine gun).

28 Comments

  1. Does anyone want to build a replica of this thing with improvements? I certainly am tempted to do so, even though I lack the skill. The concept is still in my head…

    • Being full auto would be an improvement in a LMG, you can see the development of this lock, rising/falling thing. From open bolt, with it at the rear, to closed bolt at the front. I think the rear one is better, combine this with the others gas piston upside down with the mag on the top like a Bren… I don’t get why it was semi auto… In order for it not to be, it would simply be something to do with the trigger wouldn’t it. So with a redesigned trigger.

      • Mind you I’ve “designed” on the back of a cigarette packet, so to speak. Some absolutely awful trigger mechanisms, honestly, like putting an entire PPK on a gun, just to fire it. However with the benefit of hindsight i.e. Seeing alot of others on here, that improved.

  2. Great series on White’s rifles Ian. He definitely had some interesting ideas, disassembly not included. I wonder if this rifle was going to have a rear top cover? it looks like there were dovetail rails where one should be.

    Also in the third line ‘tested’ is spelt incorrectly.

  3. Alright, so poor White really didn’t seem to get much done (perhaps due to shortages of materials and time), but he did make something that would later seem to be a good idea in hindsight. Relatively quick disassembly, adjustable regulator, and a very simple trigger mechanism. That bayonet lug is a last resort (considering this rifle likely isn’t as heavy as a Type 99 LMG, maybe it could jab and not feel awkward).

    Given a choice, which do you grab while sneaking around the ruined fortress in the dark? I should warn you that there are plenty of piles of rubble, holes in the walls, and maybe a few, er, monsters running around (including minotaurs, manticores, dragons, oh my!!!)… Oh, and watch out for the arms smugglers in the area (you may steal their very futuristic-looking wares if you prefer).

    Salvaged weapons from the rubble:

    1. White “LMG” with added bipod and full-auto trigger
    2. Winchester M1907 with extended magazine
    3. Lebel with “Jack light”
    4. Sturmgewehr with scope
    5. Winchester M1897
    6. Thompson M1923 with bipod and bayonet
    7. Steyr-Solothurn MP-34 (O)
    8. PPS-43 with suppressor extension (how did we find this!?) or M44Tikkakoski with 71 round drum
    9. AMT Automag II
    10. Panzer IV Ausf. H parked in the garage

    Smuggler’s stolen or counterfeited wares:

    1. FN P90
    2. Uzi
    3. AK-74
    4. AR-15 (configure this anyway you wish)
    5. HK-36
    6. KS-23 shotgun with nasty “Barricade” shot able to trash car engines at 100 meters
    7. “Unlicensed” Pancor Jackhammer
    8. Serbu Super-shorty
    9. Kel-Tec KSG or SUB-2000
    10. Kel-Tec PMR-30 or PRL-16
    11. Or per the usual, screw the budget and add your favorite toys to this list.

    This activity is completely voluntary. You are not required to participate if you do not wish to do so. Please keep any and all criticism of this post humane and free of foul language.

    Thank you,

    Cherndog

    • In the pre-war years there would have been no shortages of materials. But there may have been shortages of research funds–it was during the depression.

      • That would hurt for both the user and the intended victim. Who would survive?

        Incidentally, the KORD HMG (which fires the same ammunition and was developed to replace the NSV, whose home factory is NOT in Russia proper) is considered a “lightweight” HMG, both in mass and recoil force. It is however not recommended that one carry the KORD on long trips, since it is still very massive for a man-portable automatic weapon.

        “This isn’t over until the fat lady sings!”
        [lots of gunfire]
        “Well, it’s over folks. It’s ALL over. All over everything!”

    • I’ll give you the answer I learned back in my ROTC daze, “It depends on the situation”. If you have to take out a sniper at 600 meters, the greatest SMG in the world ain’t much use

  4. Thanks Ian and RIA for bringing us these forgotten rifles. This one looks like it might have been ispired by the BAR maybe?

Leave a Reply to S.N.A.L Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.


*