Description
U.S. Browning M2HB .50-Caliber Buffer Tube Sleeve — P/N 7265562 — NSN 4710-00-726-5562
The U.S. Browning M2HB .50-Caliber Buffer Tube Sleeve — P/N 7265562 — NSN 4710-00-726-5562 is a steel backplate component for the Browning Machine Gun, Caliber .50, M2 family, including the M2 Heavy Barrel flexible gun. It fits around the buffer tube at the rear of the backplate assembly and forms part of the bolt-latch-release control arrangement.
In the installed assembly, the sleeve's locking feature can retain the bolt-latch release in its depressed position for automatic fire. Rotating the sleeve away releases that control for single-shot operation. The offered component is the sleeve, not a complete backplate, buffer, or machine gun.
Historical Significance
The Browning M2 .50-caliber machine-gun family has served in U.S. ground, vehicle, naval, and aircraft roles. The M2 Heavy Barrel flexible configuration uses a spade-grip backplate with a buffer-tube sleeve and bolt-latch-release mechanism.
An original General Motors training manual prepared for the Ordnance Department illustrates this arrangement in Figure 71, “Bolt Latch Mechanism.” The figure labels the installed buffer tube sleeve assembly at the rear of the Heavy Barrel M2 gun and shows its relationship to the bolt-latch release.
What This Item Is and Does
The U.S. Browning M2HB .50-Caliber Buffer Tube Sleeve — P/N 7265562 — NSN 4710-00-726-5562 is the cylindrical sleeve fitted around the buffer tube on the M2/M2HB backplate. Its diamond-knurled gripping surface permits hand rotation, while its external locking feature interfaces with the bolt-latch release.
The original training manual explains that retaining the bolt-latch release allows automatic fire, while releasing it permits the bolt latch to stop the operating cycle after a single shot. This describes the sleeve's role within the complete backplate mechanism; the offered sleeve does not constitute that complete mechanism by itself.
Key Features
- U.S. military Browning M2/M2HB backplate component
- Common nomenclature: Sleeve, Buffer Tube
- Drawing/part number: 7265562
- National Stock Number: 4710-00-726-5562
- Federal item name: Tube, Metallic
- Material: steel
- Nominal length: 2.48 inches
- Nominal outside diameter: 1.50 inches
- Nominal wall thickness: 0.06 inch
- Diamond-knurled gripping area
- Clearance cutout and external locking feature
- Illustrated in the M2 training manual's bolt-latch mechanism
Why This Item Matters
The U.S. Browning M2HB .50-Caliber Buffer Tube Sleeve — P/N 7265562 — NSN 4710-00-726-5562 is a recognizable component from one of the most enduring U.S. military machine-gun systems. Its exact part and stock numbers make it useful for M2HB restoration projects, backplate displays, technical study, and properly identified military-parts collections.
About This Item
The offered U.S. Browning M2HB .50-Caliber Buffer Tube Sleeve — P/N 7265562 — NSN 4710-00-726-5562 is intended for the Browning M2/M2HB .50-caliber machine-gun backplate system. It is the sleeve component only and does not include the buffer tube, complete buffer, bolt-latch release, backplate, grips, or other associated parts.
The supplied description reports substantial surface rust and edge deterioration. The external locking feature remains visible. No claim is made regarding serviceability or operational condition.
Ideal For
- Browning M2HB restoration and display projects
- M2 backplate and bolt-latch mechanism collections
- U.S. military small-arms exhibits
- Museum and educational displays
- Technical-reference collections
Approx length 2.48", Approx width 1.50", Approx height 1.50", Approx weight 0.2lbs.
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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