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LOT 426
Birmingham Small Arms Model 1914 Lewis Light Machine Gun, Class III/NFA
C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Extra Magazines, Barrels and Other Accessories - Serial no. A58075, 303 cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Developed in America prior to World War I, the Lewis Gun holds the distinction of being one of the lightest automatic weapons of it’s day (about 28 pounds unloaded) as well as the first weapon test fired from an aircraft. Based around the work of Samuel McLean, LTC Issac Lewis’ primary contribution was the cooling mechanism, a combination of alloy fins around the barrel and a steel jacket around the fins; in theory, the muzzle blast exiting the jacket would pull air from inside the jacket forwards, drawing fresh air through the rear of the jacket in the process. Blade front and folding ladder rear sight, with a folding bipod on the cooling jacket, model nomenclature and manufacturer/patent markings on the top cover, hardwood grip panels and a hardwood buttstock with metal oiler and steel buttplate. Included with the lot are nine extra magazines in a transport case, three extra barrels, three gas pistons, one extra buttstock, manuals, and small parts.
CONDITION: Very good as assembled, with 50% of the arsenal quality refinished blue, showing areas of brown and gray patina, scattered light spotting, shallow pitting concentrated on the receiver, and mild wear and handling marks. The wood shows a number of dings and dents, with visible repairs on the buttstock. 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: 12,000 - 18,000
Lewis Machine Gun
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