Description
This 20mm M61 Vulcan Bolt Clamp, identified by Federal Stock Number 1005-715-9066 and Part Number 7790178, is a specialized military-surplus component associated with the 20mm M61 Vulcan aircraft gun system. Public parts references list P/N 7790178 as a Clamp Bolt under the normalized NSN format 1005-00-715-9066, placing it within the FSC 1005 / Through 30mm Guns category.
For collectors of U.S. military ordnance parts, aircraft gun components, aviation armament hardware, and part-numbered government-surplus items, this is a focused support component with strong catalog and reference value. It is not a complete weapon, not ammunition, and not an explosive item. It is an individual surplus component intended for collection, reference, display, inventory completion, or restoration-support purposes where lawful and appropriate.
The M61 Vulcan System
The M61 Vulcan belongs to one of the most recognizable families of U.S. aircraft armament. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems describes the M61A1 and M61A2 as externally powered, six-barrel, 20mm Gatling gun systems used across air, land, and sea platforms, with linked or linkless feed options and hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic drive systems.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force describes the M61A1 Vulcan cannon as a six-barrel 20mm weapon capable of firing up to 6,000 rounds per minute, with multiple rotating barrels helping distribute heat and wear. The museum also notes that the Vulcan has armed multiple U.S. aircraft since the 1950s, including aircraft such as the F-104, F-105, A-7D, F-4E, B-58, B-52H, F-15, and F-16.
For collectors, parts connected to the M61 Vulcan family carry strong appeal because they represent the technical support side of Cold War and modern U.S. aviation armament. Small parts like this Bolt Clamp help preserve the behind-the-scenes hardware that supported larger aircraft gun systems.
The Bolt Clamp
The Bolt Clamp belongs to the broader family of 20mm aircraft gun support parts, ordnance hardware, clamp components, and government-stocked replacement parts. While the complete M61 Vulcan system is the most recognizable item, its service life depended on many individual components, each cataloged and supplied through military inventory systems.
Available parts-index data identifies this item as:
- Item: 20mm M61 Vulcan Bolt Clamp
- Part Number: 7790178
- Federal Stock Number: FSN 1005-715-9066
- Normalized NSN: 1005-00-715-9066
- NIIN: 007159066
- Catalog Description: Clamp Bolt
- Federal Supply Class: 1005 – Guns, Through 30mm
- Associated Category: Through 30mm Guns
- Demilitarization / Compliance Listing: Public surplus-parts data lists this NSN as DEMIL/MLI and ITAR Controlled
- Cross-Reference CAGE Listings: Public reference data lists cross references under CAGE 19200 and 19205 for P/N 7790178
Because this item is identified by both FSN 1005-715-9066 and P/N 7790178, it has added value for buyers who collect, catalog, restore, or display surplus military parts using original supply-system identifiers rather than generic descriptions.
What This Component Supports
As a 20mm M61 Vulcan Bolt Clamp, this item is best understood as a support component associated with a larger aircraft gun system. It is not a complete cannon, not a receiver, not a barrel assembly, not a firing system, and not ammunition.
In practical collecting and display terms, a component like this is especially relevant for:
- M61 Vulcan component collections
- 20mm aircraft gun reference displays
- Cold War aviation armament collections
- U.S. military surplus ordnance parts collections
- museum exhibits on aircraft gun systems
- inventory reference for part-numbered military hardware
- restoration-support collections where lawful and properly documented
Buyers working on a specific display, restoration, or inventory project should verify compatibility against their own technical manuals, parts lists, and applicable compliance requirements before purchase.
Historical and Technical Interest
The M61 Vulcan became one of the defining U.S. aircraft gun systems of the Cold War era and beyond. General Dynamics lists the M61A1/M61A2 family as six-barrel, externally powered 20mm Gatling gun systems with a selectable rate of fire of 4,000 or 6,000 shots per minute, depending on configuration and application.
Small components such as this Bolt Clamp help tell the support story behind that larger system. While complete aircraft guns, aircraft, and ammunition displays receive most of the attention, military logistics depended on individual clamps, bolts, plates, retainers, covers, pins, and other cataloged hardware that allowed complex systems to be maintained and supported through official supply channels.
For collectors and historians, this component is especially relevant to subjects such as:
- 20mm M61 Vulcan components
- M61A1 and M61A2 aircraft gun support parts
- Cold War aviation armament
- U.S. military aircraft cannon hardware
- FSC 1005 Through 30mm Guns components
- part-numbered ordnance support hardware
- U.S. aircraft gun maintenance and supply history
Because this is a specific P/N 7790178 Bolt Clamp rather than a general surplus item, it adds focused technical depth to collections centered on aircraft armament, 20mm ordnance systems, and U.S. military supply documentation.
About This Bolt Clamp
This listing is for one 20mm M61 Vulcan Bolt Clamp, identified as FSN 1005-715-9066 and P/N 7790178.
It is especially well suited for:
- M61 Vulcan parts collectors
- U.S. aircraft armament reference collections
- 20mm cannon component displays
- military surplus hardware collections
- ordnance support equipment displays
- museum and archival reference use
- buyers seeking P/N 7790178 or FSN 1005-715-9066
This listing is for the Bolt Clamp component only unless otherwise stated. No complete M61 Vulcan cannon, aircraft gun assembly, receiver, barrels, ammunition, feed system, tools, manuals, mounting hardware, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Why This Bolt Clamp Matters
Many military collectibles focus on complete weapons, aircraft, uniforms, helmets, manuals, or large display pieces. This item represents a different but equally important category: the individual components that kept complex aviation armament systems documented, maintained, and supplied.
For collectors, it is a compact and highly specific ordnance component with clear FSN and part-number identification. For researchers, it provides a useful reference point for how small aircraft gun components were cataloged within the military supply system. For museums and displays, it helps show the behind-the-scenes hardware that supported larger 20mm M61 Vulcan aircraft gun systems.
Because this item is tied to the M61 Vulcan parts family and carries the traceable identification FSN 1005-715-9066 / P/N 7790178, it is a strong fit for anyone building a focused collection of U.S. aircraft armament components, Cold War ordnance hardware, or government-surplus military parts.
Ideal For
This bolt clamp is a strong fit for:
- 20mm M61 Vulcan component collections
- M61A1 and M61A2 aircraft gun reference displays
- Cold War aviation armament collections
- U.S. military surplus ordnance parts collections
- FSC 1005 Through 30mm Guns reference collections
- museum and archival display setups
- buyers seeking P/N 7790178 or FSN 1005-715-9066
Approx length 2.5", Approx width .75", Approx height .75", Approx weight .5lbs.
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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