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299
LOT 1349
Desirable and Rare Tippmann Arms Co. Miniature Browning Model 50 HB/M2HB Fully Automatic Class III/NFA C&R Fully
Transferable Machine Gun in .22 WMR with Case and Accessories - Serial no. 333B, 22 WMR cal., 18 inch round bbl., blue/
phosphate finish. A finely detailed and 1/2 scaled-down copy of the classic Browning designed U.S. Model M2 Heavy Barrel (HB) .50
caliber heavy machine gun, which is fully automatic and registered as a Class III/NFA weapon. These were manufactured in
the 1980s by Tippmann Arms Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and are an externally faithful copy of the original design
they emulate, while the internals are configured for open-bolt, straight blow-back operation with the .22 Winchester
Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridge. Features hooded blade front and adjustable ladder rear sights on the receiver,
a M2 HB profile barrel with attached carry handle, perforated barrel trunnion, operable top cover and feed
tray, a detachable ammunition box adapter arm, ‘paddle’ style triggers, a rotatable mock buffer sleeve marked
“F” and “S” tat functions as the safety, and fitted with walnut spade grips and charging handle. The right side
of the receiver is marked “MOD. 50 HB NO. 333B/TIPPMANN ARMS CO./FT. WAYNE IND.” under the feed,
and the barrel can be unscrewed similar to the full-scale version via a hex set screw under the receiver.
This weapon was originally manufactured as a part of a matching set of three with a “333” serial
number, which included Browning M1919A4 air-cooled (no suffix) and M1917 water-cooled
(“A” suffix) variants chambered in .22 LR, with this specimen being “B” and the other two
miniature machine guns from the set also included in the auction in the two previous
lots. Includes a scaled-down M3 pattern tripod, traverse and elevation
mechanism, pintle, two green ammunition cans, cloth ammunition belts, a
padded hardwood case fitted for the gun and accessories, a shipping box, and
a Tippmann Arms confirmation letter dated August 5, 1987, stating that by that
point the company had produced 76 M1919A4, 25 M1917 WC, and 44 M2HB
fully automatic miniature machine guns.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue and phosphate finishes showing plum coloration on some of the smaller components, some minor spotting on the tripod, and minor handling marks overall.
Mechanically excellent. The case is very 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: 20,000 - 30,000