Korean War Field Innovation Quad .30 Caliber Anti-Personnel

I received this photograph from a source who was looking to identify what type of “gun” it was.  I believe it is a field improvisation of four .30 caliber M1919A4 machine guns in a linear quad mount. It is designed for use on ground targets.

There is no way to elevate the muzzles far enough for effective anti-aircraft fire. The base of the Korean mount is from the M63 Anti-Aircraft mount for the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun. (H/T to archy on freerepublic).

The other quad mounts that I have seen were designed for anti-aircraft fire. 

The Soviet quad mount of 1910 Maxim machine guns is set up for anti-aircraft fire. The image is from a display in a Russian (Soviet) Museum.

The Korean war was noted for its mass wave attacks by Chinese soldiers against American troops.  The anti-personnel quad .30 caliber was likely a response to those attacks.

Quad machine guns have often been used against ground targets. The quad .50 caliber M2 was often used in that way. But the mount was designed as an anti-aircraft mount.

If alert readers have any information about the Korean quad .30 caliber mount, its deployment, development, or use. We would like to hear from you.

©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch