Tell me about CCKW ring mounts?

[pfarber]

I have little documentation on rings mounts for the Jimmy. I understand that the M35 rings are close to the WWII?

What parts are needed to get a ring mount installed?

What do you think the cost for a ring mount sans M2 would cost?

[arnee]

That depend on whether you have an open or closed cab.

Arne

[arnee]

Here are the three types:

M32

M36

M37


Arne

[joel gopan]

M-36 Brackets with M-49 Ring can kill $1500.00-$1800.00 less the Trolley and Cradle. M-49 Rings are scarce, and have more than quadrupled in price in the last 20 years. Must go truck freight, may not be "one-stop" shopping. The load on the truck is noticeable, the ride is stiffer. I sold my assembly that I put on NOS for $2000.00 plus shipping 3 years ago and do not miss it as the truck rides easier and has more spunk without it. WWII Cradles bring $450.00-$650.00 range, NOS Trolleys go for $400.00-$700.00, and are hard to find, and if you do not know what to look for or ask about, you can easily get screwed. I can supply the 3 posts w/brackets, and the Ammo Trays in NOS condition, no Rings tho. I also have the multi hole adapter plates available. If your truck is not in top running condition with good brakes, you may want to reconsider. I have sold several M-36 and M-37 over the past 20 years. I used to have new ones fabricated by the Gov't Contractor. That will never be possible again, as these are considered weapons systems and the manufacturers will not entertain non military sales. They will not even sell me the Barrel Clamps. The Rings are now "Demill" items, a few may get by, but chances are slim.
I removed mine as I am on the board of an Aviation Museum, and I like to display my CCKW and MB at Museum events , the Museum is located behind a Fence that is within the Airport Security area, and could be at times a conflict with FAA Regs, or make the Secret Service nervous when Air Force One is at the Airport. It is a strange world now and there is no sense rattling the authorities.
There were two basic M-49 Rings, one was lighter than the other, as it had less thickness in the web area between the upper and lower machined flanges. It is impossible to determine this by looking, but I would prefer the lighter one. Be careful of buying a rusted pitted ring, or one that had the machined edges dinged up. You are dealing with 60+ year old products that just may have laid on the ground for 50+ years. Mine was nice and in its factory parkerized finish, but I chose to paint it as it controlled rust much better. Some were manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive.

Beware of the M-49C Ring with the continuous mounting flange, it is not correct for CCKWs.

Be sure that the Pintle on the Cradle is for the Trolley, and not for a pedestal or Armored Vehicle mount., You may never see the guy who sold you the wrong part at the flea market ever again.

Note:
There are characters out there who are more interested in your money, than in selling you what you assume you are buying. Beware of some who may advertise their product to war movie related, they may just be psyching you up for a rip off. (Every ony likes to bragg that something on their vehicle had something to do in a movie). I have had contact with many victims)
Remember, there is no "department store one stop shopping" for Weapons mounts.

Remember, the Dewat MG is required by law to have certain portion painted in Flourescent Orange to be in compliance, and that "possession" is not "9/10 of the law" Many of the MG Mount Components were sold by DOD with provisions that resale of the items be recorded. Big brother carries a bigger stick than you, and can rake you over the coals over these items if you give them a reason to.



Joel

[armydriver]

Way too complicated for an old coot like me, beside a flight line service truck in Army Air Force markings does not need any kind of weaponary, just gasoline and a driver.

[dr deuce]

I have the M32 MG mount on my closed cab cckw. It makes the truck a completely different looking HMV! I rarely run it with the roof cover off, but when I do, it amazes me how much gun mount moves in relation to the truck. The mount is mounted to the cargo body, so they can move independently, I would not want to get any part of my body between them while driving down the street.....

I have 2 more almost complete open cabbed mount set ups. One will go on the Kompressor truck and the other probably on the open cab (with arctic top) cargo truck. It would not be too appropiate to have a MG mount on an open cabbed AC refuelling tanker and it won't fit on a closed cab shop van...

[armydriver]

I would have to believe that any truck used by the Army Air Forces would have not needed ring mounts on their trucks, even in what we would call forward or combat areas. Their trucks served the AAF mission and seldom would have needed a fifty caliber air defense weapon.
I have a friend that was a crew chief with the Flying Tigers in China, Joe Mitchell, and when I asked him about truck mounted machine guns and he had never seen one and they were just about as forward into enemy territory as the Army Air Force was, but that had some early CCKW's. Their anti aircraft guns were some aircraft fifty cals, with a modified tripod stand mounted on steel 55 gallon drums filled with rocks. When they had to abandon an airfield, they would take off the machine gun, dump out the rocks and throw everything into the back of trucks and they would bug out.

[jhscpa]

I have the M32 MG mount on my closed cab cckw. It makes the truck a completely different looking HMV! I rarely run it with the roof cover off, but when I do, it amazes me how much gun mount moves in relation to the truck. The mount is mounted to the cargo body, so they can move independently, I would not want to get any part of my body between them while driving down the street.....

I have 2 more almost complete open cabbed mount set ups. One will go on the Kompressor truck and the other probably on the open cab (with arctic top) cargo truck. It would not be too appropiate to have a MG mount on an open cabbed AC refuelling tanker and it won't fit on a closed cab shop van...

Doc, Was your M32 Mount on a all steel or wood/steel composite. I am trying to determine the difference between an all steel and composite w/o looking at the floor bed - wood or steel.
Jim S, jhscpa or jhscpa@sbcglobal.net
P.S. I am a friend of armydriver here in San Antonio, Texas

[dr deuce]

My cargo body is all steel.

I seem to recall that the composite body had bolts down the outside of the sides

[arnee]

View front corner.


Arne.