Roller Guide Retainer Bolt for M32/M36/M37A2/M49 .50cal/.30cal Mounts
$20.00
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Roller Guide Retainer Bolt for M32/M36/M37A2/M49 .50cal/.30cal
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This New Old Stock Roller Guide Retainer Bolt for M32/M36/M37A2/M49 .50cal/.30cal Mounts is an original U.S. production component for the M32, M36, M37A2, and M49 truck machine-gun mounts, used to support .50 cal M2HB and .30 cal Browning machine guns on a wide range of soft-skinned and lightly armored vehicles.
On these ring-type mounts, the cradle and gun ride on a roller carriage running around a circular track, giving the gunner 360° traverse and rapid engagement of ground or low-flying air targets. The roller guide system keeps that carriage aligned and rolling smoothly—this retainer bolt secures the roller guide hardware in place so the mount tracks correctly under recoil, vibration, and vehicle movement.
Historical Background – Ring Mounts M32/M36/M37A2/M49
The M32, M36, M37-series, and M49 ring mounts were developed during World War II to give U.S. trucks and halftracks a powerful, flexible overhead gun position. TM 9-224 describes these mounts as a circular track with a roller carriage and cradle, designed to take either the .30 cal M1919A4 or the .50 cal M2 heavy barrel machine gun.
The later M49 ring mount (and its M49C variant) became almost ubiquitous on U.S. soft-skin and lightly armored vehicles, appearing on:
- M8 Greyhound and M20 utility car
- M26 Dragon Wagon, M7 105 mm HMC, M32 recovery vehicles, and M4/M5 high-speed tractors
- M2/M3-series halftracks, GMC CCKW, DUKW amphibious, White 666, Dodge WC-63, and others
On all of these, the ring’s smooth, low-friction traverse depended on a network of rollers, guides, and retainers—small parts like this bolt that rarely survive in good condition today.
About This Specific Part
- Original U.S. Military Production – New Old Stock
- Genuine period manufacture, not a modern reproduction.
- Unissued NOS condition with typical long-term storage wear (light finish rubs, minor shelf marks).
- Correct for Classic U.S. Ring Mounts
- Intended for M32, M36, M37A2, and M49 truck mounts used with .50 cal and .30 cal Brownings.
- Ideal for restoring original WWII/Korean War–era gun rings on trucks, halftracks, and tractors.
- Function in the Mount
- Serves as the retainer bolt for a roller guide assembly, helping keep the carriage aligned on the circular track and ensuring smooth traverse.
- A small but critical component—without correct hardware, the carriage can bind, wobble, or wear the track unevenly.
- Markings & Identification
- Part Number: A230481 / 230481
- Stock Number: A55-0124253
- These identifiers are primarily ordnance/stock references and may not be fully stamped on the bolt itself; they are provided for collector and reference use.
At this time, a dedicated NSN/NIIN for this exact Roller Guide Retainer Bolt for M32/M36/M37A2/M49 .50cal/.30cal Mounts does not appear in readily available open-source catalogs; only the factory part and stock numbers above are confirmed. (This is common for small hardware that remained under older stock-numbering systems rather than later NSN formats.)
Why This Piece Matters for Restoration
Serious restorers know that the difference between a “good enough” mount and a truly correct, smooth-running ring comes down to original details: proper rollers, guides, retainers, and fasteners. TM 9-224 specifically notes the reliance of these mounts on roller carriages guided around the circular track, which is exactly where parts like this retainer bolt come into play.
Whether you’re:
- Completing a M49 ring on a CCKW, DUKW, halftrack, or M35-series truck,
- Bringing an M32/M36 ring on a heavy tractor or recovery vehicle back to spec, or
- Stocking spares for a museum exhibit or high-end collection,
This New Old Stock Roller Guide Retainer Bolt is the kind of original hardware that keeps your project authentic from the big silhouette right down to the smallest mounting details.
Approx length 2", Approx width .5", Approx height .5", Approx weight .1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our Roller Guide Retainer Bolt for M32/M36/M37A2/M49 .50cal/.30cal Mounts. 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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