The American FAL: Harrington & Richardson T48 (w/ Larry Vickers)

Published on September 24, 2018
Duration: 18:24

This guide details the field stripping process for the rare Harrington & Richardson T48, an American prototype of the FN FAL. It covers removing the dust cover, bolt carrier, recoil spring, gas piston, trigger group, and barrel. The video, featuring experts Larry Vickers and Ian McCollum, also highlights unique features like the winter trigger guard and stripper clip guide, offering deep insights into 20th-century military rifle development and procurement politics.

Quick Summary

The H&R T48 is a rare American prototype of the FN FAL rifle, produced by Harrington & Richardson for US military trials in the 1950s. It featured unique elements like a folding winter trigger guard and stripper clip guide. Despite its capabilities, the US ultimately adopted the M14, partly due to perceived manufacturing advantages.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the H&R T48 FAL
  2. 00:58NATO Trials and Standardization
  3. 02:39H&R Production Contract
  4. 03:58Markings and Provenance
  5. 05:13Selector and Fire Control
  6. 06:30Unique Mechanical Features
  7. 08:12Charging Handle and Top Cover
  8. 10:12Handguards and Gas System
  9. 13:06Break-Open Lever and Sights
  10. 14:15Trial Results and M14 Selection
  11. 16:01FAL vs. M14 Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the H&R T48?

The H&R T48 is an American-made prototype variant of the FN FAL rifle, produced by Harrington & Richardson for US military trials in the 1950s. It's considered a rare collector's item and a significant piece of firearms history.

Why was the FN FAL not adopted by the US military?

Despite trials showing the FAL (T48) and M14 (T44) were suitable, the M14 was chosen primarily due to the mistaken belief it could be manufactured using existing M1 Garand tooling, a decision experts now view as suboptimal.

What were the key features of the H&R T48 FAL?

The H&R T48 featured a short-stroke gas piston system, a folding winter trigger guard, a stripper clip guide integrated into the top cover, and a charging handle reminiscent of the BAR. It fired the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge.

Who are the experts discussing the H&R T48?

The H&R T48 is discussed by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons and firearms expert Larry Vickers, both recognized authorities on firearm history and tactical applications.

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