Description
U.S. AN-M3 .50 Cal Aircraft Machine Gun Belt-Feed-Pawl Spring Assembly, P/N 7265969, NSN 1005-00-726-5969
The U.S. AN-M3 .50 Cal Aircraft Machine Gun Belt-Feed-Pawl Spring Assembly, identified by part number 7265969 and B7265969, is a nested two-spring assembly for the belt-feed mechanism of the Browning .50-caliber AN-M3 aircraft machine gun.
Each assembly fits inside the gun's belt-feed slide and supplies spring pressure to the belt-feed pawl as the feed mechanism moves the ammunition belt. This is the spring assembly behind the pawl, not the pawl itself.
Historical Significance
The AN-M3 was a U.S. military aircraft machine gun of the early Cold War period. These compact spring assemblies supported its cover-mounted belt-feed mechanism, making them a small but identifiable part of the aircraft gun's ammunition-handling system.
The package was VCI packed in May 1952 and identifies Saco-Lowell Shops of Biddeford, Maine, under Contract DA-19-020-ORD-775. The date describes the packing record shown on the wrapper.
Documented AN-M3 Application
ORD 9 SNL A-67 lists 7265969 as the Spring, Belt Feed Pawl, Assembly for the basic AN-M3 aircraft machine gun. The catalog states that the assembly is composed of outer spring 7265967 and inner spring 7265968.
The same manual illustrates both springs with the belt-feed pawl and belt-feed slide in the cover-group exploded view. The wrapper and parts catalog document this package specifically for the AN-M3 aircraft gun.
What This Item Is and Does
The U.S. AN-M3 .50 Cal Aircraft Machine Gun Belt-Feed-Pawl Spring Assembly consists of two compression springs nested together. The outer spring is P/N 7265967, and the inner spring is P/N 7265968. Together they form assembly P/N 7265969.
The spring pair seats on the spring stud inside the belt-feed slide. Its pressure keeps the belt-feed pawl positioned to engage the ammunition belt as the slide cycles across the gun's cover, supporting movement of the next linked round into the feedway.
The parts catalog describes the inner spring as 0.033-inch wire with a 0.240-inch outside diameter and 9 coils. It describes the outer spring as 0.038-inch wire with a 0.345-inch outside diameter and 8 coils.
Key Features
- Official name: Spring, Belt Feed Pawl, Assembly
- Assembly and part number 7265969 / B7265969
- National Stock Number 1005-00-726-5969
- Documented for the Browning .50-caliber AN-M3 aircraft machine gun
- Package quantity: 20 assemblies
- Outer spring 7265967
- Inner spring 7265968
- VCI preservation packaging dated May 1952
- Wrapper identifies Saco-Lowell Shops, Biddeford, Maine
- Contract DA-19-020-ORD-775
- Spring assembly only; not the belt-feed pawl
Why This Item Matters
This packaged group preserves a clearly marked AN-M3 feed-mechanism component with its period stock number, contractor, contract, packing date, and preservation information. The official assembly and component numbers also make it useful for precise parts identification.
It is well suited to AN-M3 aircraft-gun displays, military aviation collections, technical reference collections, and restoration research where an accurately documented belt-feed component is important.
About This Item
The offered product is one package containing 20 U.S. AN-M3 .50 Cal Aircraft Machine Gun Belt-Feed-Pawl Spring Assemblies. Each assembly contains one outer spring 7265967 and one inner spring 7265968 nested together under assembly number 7265969 / B7265969.
The wrapper identifies FSN 1005-726-5969, Saco-Lowell Shops, Contract DA-19-020-ORD-775, VCI preservation, and a May 1952 packing date. The later NSN is 1005-00-726-5969. The documented end-item application is the Browning .50-caliber AN-M3 aircraft machine gun.
All items are opened from the original packaging to verify its condition before shipment. If your prefer to receive an item in its original, unopened packaging, please indicate your request in the order comments at checkout. Please Note: If you request an item in its original, unopened packaging, we are unable to verify the item's condition prior to shipment.
Ideal For
This package is a strong fit for:
- AN-M3 aircraft machine-gun collections
- Military aviation armament displays
- Early Cold War aircraft exhibits
- U.S. military small-arms parts collections
- Museum and educational reference collections
- Historic belt-feed mechanism study
- Restoration research and parts identification
- Film and prop department reference
Approx length 1", Approx width .25", Approx height .25", Approx weight 0.1lbs.
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.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: 
