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LOT 3436
Wilson Arms Mark I Vickers Heavy Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Tripod and Accessories - Serial no. VSA-007, 303 cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured using a new-made commercial sideplate and an assortment of military surplus components, this is a fine example of a WWI era British Vickers Machine Gun. Operating on similar principles to the Maxim Gun but including it’s own improvements and refinements, the Vickers was a mainstay weapon for the British forces on the Western Front, capable of producing a massive volume of sustained fire. Much like it’s American contemporary, the Browning 1917, it’s eventual obsolescence would be almost entirely due to changing tactical doctrine, not any deficiency with the machine itself; no one really made a better weapon for the role. Blade front and folding staff rear sights, the former mounted on the water jacket along with a vented recoil booster, the latter marked for the “303 VII/No 2 Mk 1” cartridge. The Wilson markings are on the right sideplate, positioned below the feed mechanism, with the other components bearing mixed British proofs and serial numbers; some of the components (including the water jacket and bolt/toggle assembly) bear “DP” Drill Purpose markings. The traditional tension control mechanism is installed on the left sideplate, with a pair of wood spade grips and a thumb trigger with “butterfly” thumb safety. Included with the lot is a green painted steel and brass tripod with integral traverse and elevation mechanisms, three extra barrels, water jacket hoses, canvas covers for the water jacket and tripod, wood ammo box, wood parts/tools box, several lengths of non-disintegrating canvas belt, assorted small parts and tools, a modern reprint manual, and a copy of the book “The Vickers-Maxim Machine Gun” by Pegler. CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the blue finish, the vintage components having been professionally restored/refurbished to match the sideplate, showing areas of brown patina, minor spotting/pitting, and a number of light dings and scuffs. 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) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 3437
U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Browning Model 1917A1 Medium Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun with Tripod and Accessories - Serial no. 720539, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl., green finish, metal grips. One of John Browning’s many contributions to small arms, the 1917 was the American answer to the Maxim-based water cooled guns fielded by the British and Germans for World War One, capable of matching them for volume of fire out in the trenches. The descendants of the 1917, including
the air-cooled 1918 and the .50 caliber M2, would be American mainstays for decades, the M2 in particular still remaining a premier heavy machine gun. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with the green painted steel water jacket enclosing the barrel, and a pair of smooth grips. The right sideplate bears the markings of the Rock Island Arsenal, and the underside of the receiver is marked “PCC PHX, AZ”. Included with the lot is a folding tripod with integral traverse and elevation mechanism, steam hose, two canvas cartridge belts and a number of disintegrating metal links.
CONDITION: Fine as assembled/refinished, with 90% of the current green enamel finish, showing some dents and dings beneath the surface, scattered edge wear and handling marks, and some flaking. The sideplate markings are a bit faint. Mechanically excellent. 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
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