M1917 Browning machine gun Country United States Type Heavy machine gun Manufacturer Browning Introduction 1917 Specifications Weight 103 lb (47 kg) (gun, tripod, water, and ammunition) Barrel length 24 in (609 mm) Cartridge .30-06 Action Recoil operated automatic Rate of fire 450 round/min, 600 round/min for M1917A1 Feed system 250 round fabric belt

The Browning Model 1917 Machine Gun is a heavy machine gun used by the United States armed forces in World War I, World War II, Korea, and to a limited amount in Vietnam and by other nations. It was a belt-fed water-cooled machine gun that served alongside the much lighter air-cooled Browning M1919. It was used at the battalion level, and often mounted on vehicles (such as a jeep). There were two main versions of it; the M1917, which was used in the First World War, and the M1917A1 which was used after. The M1917 was used on the ground and some aircraft, and had firing rate of 450 round/min; the M1917A1 had a firing rate of 450 to 600 round/min.

The Army Ordnance Department initially showed little interest in Browning\'s design, but after war was declared in April 1917, Browning was able to arrange a test. The first test was a success, but the Army demanded a second test a short time later. In the second test, Browning fired the weapon in two lengthy bursts of 20,000 rounds each without a single mishap. The Ordnance Board was impressed but was unconvinced that the same level of performance could be achieved in a production model. Browning produced a second weapon which he fired in a third test continuously for 48 minutes (over 21,000 rounds). After the third test, the Army adopted the weapon as its principal heavy machine gun.