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LOT 374
Desirable Ramo M2 Browning Heavy Machine
Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine
Gun, with Accessories - Serial no. 003293, 50 cal.,
45 inch round bbl., matte gray phosphate finish.
Manufactured by Ramo of Nashville, Tennessee,
the M2 Browning Machine Gun is the definitive
Western heavy machine gun of the 20th century.
A descendant of Browning’s 1917 HMG, the
development of the M2 was first prompted by the
emergence of armored aircraft among German forces
in World War I, calling for a greater level of firepower
to bring down enemy aircraft. Development
continued after Browning’s passing in 1926, and
in 1933 it was adopted by the U.S. armed forces.
In service to this day, the air-cooled “HB” variant of
the M2 has been used in a wide spectrum of roles
on sea, air and land, from as fundamental as an
infantry heavy machine gun, as rarified as the main
armament of top of the line fighter aircraft, to as
oddball as being used as a sniper rifle; the famed
Carlos Hathcock used a scoped M2 to set a confirmed
kill record in Vietnam that wouldn’t be beaten until
the War on Terror, and still holds a spot on the top 10
as of this writing. This example is configured for fixed
position mounting, sans sights, with an adjustable
alloy mounting collar at the front of the receiver,
maker’s marks on the right sideplate, and a synthetic
charging handle. No manual trigger mechanism is
installed, with the back plate configured to accept
a solenoid trigger unit (included but uninstalled).
Included with the lot is a headspace gauge, a short
belt link chute, and a five-prong flash hider.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original matte
gray phosphate finish, showing mild handling marks
on the metal and charging handle. The solenoid
mechanism is untested, otherwise the item is
mechanically in fine order. 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: 35,000 - 55,000
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