[Temac]

I posted in another forum (Reference) about a bipod that I've had for awhile. It's the type that clamps on the gas cylinder of a M1A. I looked all over it for a country of origin or manufacture but the only thing I could find is "BIPOD RIFLE M2." I'm pretty sure it's a import but not certain, where could I find some info on it, I would assume here. I'm not a fan of this type of bipod or any that attaches to a barrel or the gas cylinder there of. I've seen them used for photos and such on the Forum but never in actual use. It's frowned upon here to give values but that's one of the things I wish to know because it's soon to be sold. I've done a few internet searches to no avail, does anyone know something about it. Before you request a pic, I'll be fast to tell ya I'd never figure out how to upload it here but I could email you a pic if you PM me. Thanks

 

[KurtC]

Some copies were made in the US using many USGI parts. Decent copies are made in South Korea by WMI. Chinese copies are poor quality.

 

[XM25Ren]

Some copies were made in the US using many USGI parts. Decent copies are made in South Korea by WMI. Chinese copies are poor quality.

Kurt,

Wayne Machine(WMI) is located in Taiwan.

Ren

 

[tnw50cal]

If all it says on it is Bipod Rifle M2 the question becomes is it brazed together or welded, does the screw that tightens the clamp onto the gas cylinder have a screw slot in it or can it only be tighten with a wrench?

 

[DudleyDR]

There are noticeable differences in quality, construction, and finish. I have found pictures of genuine ones and replicas (fake ones) on "Algore's Interweb" before. (Have you searched this forum for your answer yet?) IIRC, some of the replicas/fakes are painted black; the originals aren't painted. The originals will cost 6 or 7 times what the fake ones cost. Look on GunBroker for some images and prices. You may learn more about a value if you do an advanced search there and look into completed auctions for the past 90 days. There you may find some images and actual selling prices. No one wants to pay the price of an original for the item if is a fake or replica. HTH

 

[KurtC]

Kurt,

Wayne Machine(WMI) is located in Taiwan.

Ren

Looks like my brain considers them to be the same. RNGR3

Thanks.

 

[Buelligan]

From what I gather on the forum, there are Chi-Com copies of this bipod out there, too.

http://m14forum.com/m14/35328-wayne-machine-tw.html

 

[KurtC]

The $50-75 bipods on GB are cast Chinese. The $150-175 bipods are usually WMI. The $300-400 ones are usually USGI.

However, back in the '80 and 90's there was somebody in the US building bipods from USGI spare parts. You can usually tell by looking at the sides of the yoke, where the legs rotate. These are pretty nice and are a fraction of the cost of originals.

 

[RDS]

If its stamped WMI its a repro from Wayne Machine in Taiwan. But Sarco won a navy contract back in the 1990s for M14 bipods and supplied WMI bipods. Because of this contract some sellers try to pass off WMI marked bipods as US GI. WMI bipods are constructed much better than the cheap imports from mainland China.

 

[Temac]

Thanks for the input everyone, it has a slotted head and is welded. It's blued and seemingly well made,of course it's the only one I've had in my hands. The part that clamps onto the cylinder appears to be cast other than that it looks good. I'm going to send a few pics to some members and try to post some here when I get back. Thanks again

 

[KurtC]

I've seen the pics. It doesn't have a sling swivel, which all recent copies do.

My guess is that it is one of the (US?) made copies from the '80s, possibly for someone like SARCO. Some parts may be USGI.

 

[Temac]

Thanks again everyone, KurtC has some pics of it, and another has requested some too. The mystery bipod, now I know why its been sitting in a ammo can for 12 years.

 

[Temac]

The more I research it the more it looks like I aint got a clue. Had a friend that collected bayonets and he could talk about that stuff till he put you to sleep and this was before Chi-com repros and counterfeits were common. And tnw50cal, you mentioned brazing and slotted hex bolt. Its welded and slotted what does that indicate? Sounds like we have some experience here with seeing some of the many types of these things. I really doubt I have a USGI, simply because I ain't that lucky. This isn't a item I can't walk into the LGS and get evaluated. I want to move this item so I can put the $ into my build, hate to throw it back in the can. Waiting to hear from KurtC on just that, any other resident bipod experts shoot me a PM. Thanks for the help

 

[KurtC]

I think some of the parts might be USGI. Here are the pics.

 

[Temac]

Thanks for posting the pics KurtC, your honest input and efforts are greatly appreciated. I also thank everyone for their offers to post pics and their knowledge as well. I'm inclined to believe that this is a parts bipod due to the fact that the yoke and it's parts look used and have a different finish than the legs which look new (no wear on them and the bottom of the feet) or almost new. I always looked at it the same way until members here offered their opinions. The history surrounding the M14 is at least very interesting as well as our members. Does anyone have a genuine USGI bipod that they would be willing to post some pics of? I don't know that some of the sellers on the net are always certain of what they have and some just sell if you know what I mean.

 

[Travis Bickle]

I have had this one for years. Crappy pictures

 

[Temac]

Thanks for the pics Travis, do you know the origin of that one?

 

[Travis Bickle]

Someone gave it to me 30 plus years ago.