Description
20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter
The 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter is a mechanical interface component associated with the hand-charging equipment for the M39 automatic aircraft gun. Its threaded tubular form provided a connection at the gun's charger interface.
This is an individual adapter rather than a complete hand charger or 20mm automatic gun.
Historical Significance
Developed from the T160 design and standardized as the M39, this 20mm cannon became an important part of early Cold War U.S. Air Force aircraft armament. Documented M39 installations included the North American F-86H Sabre and F-100 Super Sabre.
The 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter represents the specialized ground-support and maintenance hardware associated with that aircraft-gun system.
What This Item Is and Does
The 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter served as the mechanical connection between hand-charging equipment and the M39 gun's charger interface. Hand-charging equipment allowed the gun mechanism to be cycled manually during ground handling and maintenance.
The adapter has a hollow tubular body, external threads near one end, an internally threaded opening, and a castellated flange. Together, these features form its attachment interface for related charging equipment.
Key Features
- Product: 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter
- Associated system: 20mm M39 automatic aircraft gun
- Component type: Mechanical hand-charging interface adapter
- Visible configuration: Hollow tubular body with external and internal threaded sections
- Interface feature: Castellated flange
- Scope: Adapter only; not a complete hand charger or automatic gun
Why This Item Matters
Small support components such as the 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter illustrate the specialized equipment required to maintain Cold War aircraft armament. Its distinct threaded and castellated form also makes it a useful reference component for documenting an M39 display or parts collection.
For museums, restorers, and military-aircraft historians, a system component can add technical context that is often missing from complete-gun displays.
About This Item
The offered 20mm M39 Hand Charger Adapter is the single threaded tubular component shown. It is not a complete hand charger or M39 automatic gun.
Ideal For
This item is a strong fit for:
- M39 aircraft-gun component collections
- Cold War U.S. Air Force armament displays
- Museum and educational reference exhibits
- Military-aircraft restoration research
- Film, theater, and historical display projects
Approx length 3", Approx width 1.75", Approx height 1.75", Approx weight .3lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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