When they aren't on the road or giving tours at the National Firearms Museum (NFM), how does the staff spend their time? The other day, Senior Curator Phil Schreier spent it in the Gun Vault working on the latest donations to NFM's "Hollywood Guns" collection. To the right, you see him working on two belt fed machine guns.

Heavy machine guns like the M240G or M60 receive their cartridges by way of an ammunition belt and are also referred to as belt feds. While the original belts were usually made of canvas, today's belts consist of individual rounds held together with metal clips. In addition to the advantage of providing continuous fire, belt feeders decreases the weight of the firearm and allows for greater mobility. The one in Phil's grasp is a Browning designed, Marlin manufactured M1895.

Also known as a Potato Digger, this M1895 was brought to shore by a group of sailors mounting an attack on Tangiers in the film The Wind and The Lion. And, as Phil likes to point out, Teddy Roosevelt brought two Potato Diggers with him during his charge up San Juan Hill. Just over his right shoulder is the Browning M1917 machine gun fired by various members of The Wild Bunch and their opposition. Each of these belt feeders are part of the much anticipated "Hollywood Guns" collection that goes on display later this year.