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Title:	GUN, MACHINE -  U.S. MACHINE GUN T10 .30 SN# 1
Maker/Manufacturer:	COLT-BROWNING
Date of Manufacture:	1934-1942
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 2987
Measurements:	OL:118.1CM 46 1/2" BL: 59.6CM 23 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. MACHINE GUN T10 .30 SN# 1
Manufactured by - Springfield Armory's 1941-42 modifications to the Colt-Browning LMG. This piece could be the T10E2. See, Record of Army Ordnance...Vol.2, Bk.3. pg.15. Bipod and many internal parts missing.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. NO.1 GVT. INSP. RZG/MACHINE GUN CAL..30. T10/HEAVY BARREL (FLEXIBLE)/MANUFACTURED BY/Colt address.../PATENT NO. 1,293,022. Etched on stock: 57.

ANNUAL REPORTS:
AR, 1934 - "The design and/or development of the following types of machine guns were initiated during the past year:...U.S. Machine Gun, Cal..30, T10, Heavy Barrel (Flexible). Design completed, pilot model manufactured and shipped to Ordnance Office."
AR, 1942 - "An experimental light machine gun of Springfield Armory design has been fabricated and tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground. However, action on this model was suspended and the investigation centered on the modification of the Colt experimental T10 machine gun. These modifications included principally a quick change barrel, a bipod, a shoulder stock, and modifications of the barrel and receiver to reduce weight. This model, now called the T20E2, was tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground and development is being continued by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation under the guidance of the Ordnance Office."

Notes: "A subcommittee of the Ordnance Committee was appointed to conduct the light machine gun investigation. This group consisted of representatives of Ordnance and the using arms. The first meeting was held on September 25, 1941. Some sixty persons had shown interest in the matter, and the following had indicated they would submit samples: Springfield Armory; Rock Island Arsenal; Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn.; R.F. Sedgley, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.; Auto-Ordnance Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn.; and Schirgun Corporation, Brooklyn, N.Y.
At the next meeting, on October 10, 1941, the competing guns were present for viual examination. Tests were commenced at Aberdeen Proving Groundon October 13th, and completed on November 10th. These included cold-chamber and photographic stability trials not originally planned.
T10E1 LIGHT MACHINE GUN - On January 8, 1942, one light machine gun, caliber .30 T10E1, was shipped to Aberdeen Proving Ground for test. The original T10 had been tested in 1935 as a tripod gun. The E1 had a shoulder stock added, a light barrel more easily detached, and other minor changes. It resembled the BAR in functioning. On test, it lacked reserve power necessary to feed and fire on the closing stroke of the bolt. It offered promise, but redesign was required.
T10E2 LIGHT MACHINE GUN - In March 1942, the T10E2 light machine gun was fired at Aberdeen. It incorporated most of the improvements suggested for the previous model, the T10E1, and was the best gun tested up to that time. With bipod the gun weighed 22.5 lbs. Changes in the firing pin and gas cylinder, together with several other less important modifications, were recommended.
T23 LIGHT MACHINE GUN - In the spring of 1943, the light machine gun T23 was turned over to Aberdeen Proving Ground for test. It was a modification of T10E3, in which all possible machine cuts had been altered to straight or broaching cuts. Several other improvements had been made. The gun weighed 22.5 lbs. and was 46.75 inches long. Malfunctions occurred after firing aobut 400 rounds at the fast rate, and need for further improvment was indicated. A light machine gun was still an urgent requirement."
- Maj. B.R. Lewis

Ballou, pp. 235.

References:
Ballou, James L. ROCK IN A HARD PLACE: THE BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE. Collector Grade Publications, Inc. Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. 2000.