I think you are right. John Browning’s birthday should be a national holiday. I am serious about that.
During WWI, Browning charged the government exactly $1 for a machine gun which was worth many millions just in royalties.
Browning mentioned that his son was over there fighting (incidentally trying out the BAR) and many other people’s sons were doing the same.
He was a real patriot.
At the State Museum in downtown Columbia there was the annual Toy Soldiers expo. It had a mix of reenactment stuff and toys/models.
It rained this one but a lot of what reenactment people that were stayed on when the museum offered them space in the big lobby and hallway.
One of the groups had this BAR. I admit when I first saw it sitting on the floor in what light there was, the finish looked almost plastic.
Here is some of it in slightly better light plus other mundane things......