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LOT 369
Colt Model 1918 Vickers 11MM “Balloon Buster” Aircraft Machine Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. A1496, 11 mm
cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish. A variant of the Vickers belt fed machine gun, the Colt 1918 is configured for use as forward-firing aircraft armament. While
the closed bolt operation of the Vickers made it suitable for adaptation to interrupter gear hardware to permit firing straight through a running propeller, and its
noted reliability a boon in nearly any role, the water jacket presented an issue; with no shortage of cool, fast moving air in flight, water cooling is unneeded, but
the jacket is structurally critical to the design, and could not be easily discarded. The work-around was to heavily ventilate the jacket, permitting air through in the
front and out the back when in flight. The final touch was to scale the weapon up to feed the 11x59mm Gras rifle round; combined with incendiary ammunition,
this combination gives the “balloon buster” it’s nickname, as it presented a deadly hazard to enemy artillery observer balloons that could otherwise absorb a
massive amount of rifle-caliber weapon fire without failing. Even with the 1918, destroying a balloon wasn’t a task for the faint of heart, as the valuable spotting
and surveillance platforms were typically protected by a gauntlet of ground defenses and air support. No sights are installed, with a standard recoil booster
mechanism on the Colt-marked water jacket, which is marked “58” in black paint on the underside. The top covers have been slotted for the interrupter hardware
(not included), with a standard charging handle on the right side. The bolt assembly is numbered to another weapon, with “11MM” on the bolt face.
CONDITION: Fine as modified, with 60% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, scattered spotting and mild handling marks. Some heavier
dents are present on the water jacket, with a crack present in the partially removed/skeletonized rear collar. Several components, including the firing mechanism
and recoil spring assembly, are absent; while not deactivated, the item cannot be fired as-is. 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: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 368
Inland Arms Company Model 1917A1 Water Cooled Browning Machine Gun, Class III/NFA
Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Accessories - Serial no. 791005, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl.,
parkerized finish. Manufactured using a new-made right sideplate and a combination of military
surplus and commercial components, this full function Browning 1917A1 machine gun was produced
by Inland Arms of Austin Texas (not to be confused with the GM Inland Division or the Inland
Arms currently located in Dayton, Ohio). Originally developed by John M. Browning, variants and
descendants of the 1917 would be go-to weapons for decades with the United States armed forces,
with the 1919 and M2 in particular being signature weapons of both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam. Folding blade front and flip-up ladder rear sights, with military-style
nomenclature on the right sideplate, brass-capped water jacket and a checkered pistol grip. Lot includes a water can, water hose, four canvas belts, and three extra barrels.
CONDITION: Very fine as remanufactured, with 80% plus Inland-applied parkerized finish, with some scattered pitting, heat discoloration at the rear of the receiver box, and mild handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Barrels are
worn and oxidized. 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: 12,000 - 18,000