Spitfire redux: The WWII guns firing after 70 years buried in peat.

[Notebook]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15652440

An excavation at the site of a 1941 Spitfire crash in a bog in the Irish Republic uncovered huge, remarkably preserved chunks of plane and six Browning machine guns. After 70 years buried in peat could they be made to fire? They certainly could, writes Dan Snow.

N.

 

[Ghostrider]

Why not, it's not like they've been submerged in seawater. According to the article, they've not been subjected to any oxidation or corrosion so they would only require some cleaning and checking out, and could be taken on the range any time. Firearms are quite sturdy.

 

[Notebook]

Why not indeed!
Maybe because I've never had any experience with firearms. Just surprised me they still worked, after impacting you would think some parts would be a bit bent?

N.

 

[Ghostrider]

Depends on the angle and speed of the crash. The fuselage is smashed, but it's not a tank we're talking about. If the engine survived, the MGs would be fine. Those Mk1919 are quite the beast, it takes some pounding to really damage them.

The ammo, however, is another matter.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

There should be plenty of ammo available, although they will probably only be fired in short bursts to preserve the guns, IMO.

 

[N_Molson]

That stuff was build for minimal maintenance. Simple and efficient.