Description
20mm M39 Right-Hand Feeder Link Guide, P/N 7184396, NSN 1005-00-718-4396
Item Overview
This original military-surplus component is a right-hand feeder link guide for the 20mm M39 aircraft revolver cannon. The tag identifies it as “Guide, Feeder, R.H.,” while its official federal stock name is “Guide, Link.” It belongs inside the cannon’s ammunition feeder and is not part of the recoil system.
Identification and Features
The part number and National Stock Number identify this component as the right-hand guide. Its matching opposite-hand component is P/N 7184397. The guide contains no ammunition or explosive material.
- Tag nomenclature: Guide, Feeder, R.H.
- Official stock nomenclature: Guide, Link
- Part number: 7184396
- NSN: 1005-00-718-4396
- Opposite-hand part: P/N 7184397, left-hand guide
- Parent weapon: 20mm M39 aircraft revolver cannon
- Ammunition: 20×102mm
- Link type: M12 push-through disintegrating metallic link
- Component group: Ammunition feeder
How It Functioned
The guide helped control the path of the M12 ammunition links as the linked 20×102mm cartridges moved through the feeder. During operation, the feeder placed a cartridge in line with the rammer. The rammer then pushed the cartridge through and out of its link before partially chambering it in the cannon’s five-chamber drum. The empty link continued around the feeder sprockets and exited through the link-ejection opening. The guide helped keep this link path controlled during the feeding and ejection cycle.
Weapon Application
The M39 was a single-barrel, gas-operated, belt-fed, electrically fired aircraft cannon. Its five-chamber revolver design completed several stages of the firing cycle at different positions around the rotating drum. The weapon could be arranged for ammunition feed from either side by changing the feeder configuration. This part is identified as the right-hand link guide within that feeder system and should not be described as a recoil, receiver, or firing component.
Historical Background
The M39 developed from the experimental T160 cannon and was type-classified during the early 1950s. M39-family weapons armed Cold War aircraft including versions of the F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-101 Voodoo, and B-57 Canberra. Continued development produced the M39A2 and M39A3, with the M39A3 remaining in service on aircraft such as the Northrop F-5 during the 1970s. More than 35,000 M39-series cannons were produced, making the design an important part of American aircraft-armament history.
Condition
This is an original military-surplus feeder component. It may show scratches, finish wear, discoloration, oxidation, old preservative, storage marks, or other signs of age and handling. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item. This listing includes one right-hand feeder link guide only; the cannon, complete feeder, ammunition links, cartridges, and other components are not included unless specifically stated.
Ideal For
This component is well suited for collections and exhibits covering American aircraft armament, revolver-cannon design, and the development of high-rate ammunition-feed systems.
- 20mm aircraft-cannon collections
- M39 feeder displays
- Cold War aviation exhibits
- M12 ammunition-link research
- Aircraft-armament restoration reference
- Military museums and educational displays
Approx length 2.5", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 0.5", Approx weight lbs.
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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