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Model 1917 Browning Water Cooled Machine Gun
LOT 395
U.S. Westinghouse Model 1917 Browning Water Cooled Machine Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Tripod - Serial no. 23, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/black finish. Designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1917 saw combat in
the final days of World War One and was America’s go-to 30 caliber machine gun for decades. Between the water cooling of the barrel
and the rugged Browning design, the 1917 could bring sustained fire with impressive vigor, and in one early demonstration a 1917 was fired for 20,000 rounds without error, immediately fired another 20,000 rounds to show off to the assembled observers, and then traded out for a second 1917 which repeated the entire stunt to demonstrate that the production weapon would be just as good as the demo model. Additionally, the Model 1917 had a legacy in the form of the Model 1919 medium machine gun and the M2 50 caliber machine gun, two of the most definitive automatic weapons of the 20th century. Fitted with a blade front sight and a ladder rear sight, the former installed on the water cooling jacket and the latter mounted to the receiver cover with
full windage and elevation adjustments, as well as a fixed battle sight. The water jacket is constructed with brass endcaps and a steel main body. The five-line Westinghouse maker’s mark is present on the right side of the receiver, with smooth panels on the pistol grip. Included with the Browning is a folding green painted Model 1918 field mount with integral traverse and elevation mechanisms.
CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the factory quality refinished blue on the sides of the receiver and 80% applied black finish on the other components, with areas of spotting and mild pitting, edge wear, handling marks, and some dents on the water jacket. Grips are very good, and the tripod is in working order. Field mount shows some flaking and wear. Mechanically fine. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a “Curios or Relic” as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.
Estimate: 13,000 - 19,000
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