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LOT 3368
VSM Vickers Mark I Heavy Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully
Transferable Machine Gun, with Tripod - Serial no. H1876,
303 cal., 28 inch round bbl., black/blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured by the “VSM” Company of Cincinnati, Ohio using
a combination of new-made and vintage components, this is
an exceptionally well made, fully functional example of the famous Vickers
Machine Gun. In many ways an evolution of the Maxim gun, the Vickers was
a state of the art heavy machine gun, with the water cooling mechanism
permitting a volume of sustained fire that can’t be matched by air-cooled
single barrel weapons. Properly positioned and supplied, the Vickers
could inflict hideous damage to an exposed or charging enemy, and a
large number of casualties in World War I were due to these weapons.
While later strategic developments would favor lighter, air-cooled
guns as an organic part of the infantry unit, the Vickers still performed
well during the inter-war period, being very well suited to fixed position
defense and stationary operations. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with
a muzzle booster device fitted to the ribbed water jacket, serial number on the right
sideplate and water jacket, British “broad arrow” proofs on multiple components, and
a thumb trigger with “butterfly” safety. A set of smooth spade grips are installed, with
the tension mechanism on the left side of the receiver. Included with the lot is a
black painted field mount tripod and a photocopied manual.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the repainted black finish on the water jacket and
tension mechanism and 85% of the refurbished blue finish on the receiver,
showing areas of bright wear, covered pitting, and scattered spotting and
handling marks. The spade grips show mild scuffs, and the tripod several
patches of rust and pitting. 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)
under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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