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LOT 405
Sequential Pair of Group Industries M37 Water Cooled Machine
Guns in Dual Gun Mounting, Class III/NFA -A) Group Industries M37
Belt Fed Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine
Gun - Serial no. 300022, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood
grips. Manufactured prior to the 1986 machine gun registration cutoff,
both weapons in this lot are Group Industries transferable machine guns
made in emulation of the Browning Model 1917 water cooled heavy
machine gun. One of the most effective weapons deployed for World War
I, the 1917 was sidelined by evolving doctrine calling for more mobile air
cooled weapons, but continued to serve through World War II and beyond,
while its descendants the 1919 and M2 would stand as signature American
weapons through the bulk of the 20th century. These examples have
been built using a combination of new made components and military
surplus parts, primarily from the Swedish “Kulspruta M/1936”, and installed
in a dual gun framework for use in anti-aircraft operations or for heavy
defensive emplacement use. The weapons are configured with mirrored
feed, the left gun feeding from the left, the right gun feeding from the
right, and both ejecting casings downward and belt to the center, but only
the left weapon is fitted with a set of blade and tangent sights. Markings
include Swedish “triple crown” crests on the water jackets, Group markings
on the right sideplates, and two sets of sequential numbers; “3000222” and
“3000223” on the Group sideplates, and “25107” and “25108” on the safety
mechanisms in the supporting framework. Both weapons are fitted with
a set of dual spade grips mounted on a buffer assembly, with a thumb
trigger extension. Included with the lot is a black painted ground tripod.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the Group-applied arsenal type refurbished
blue, showing areas of brown patina overall, spots of rust concentrated
around the muzzle device, and mild handling marks. The framework and
tripod both appear to be in fine order. The breechblock is locked up,
mechanically needs adjustment. 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.
B) Group Industries M37 Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully
Transferable - Serial no. 300023, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hardwood grips. As A, with an “Emerson/1941” marking
on the left sideplate.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the Group-applied arsenal type refurbished
blue, showing areas of brown patina, patches of rust concentrated around
the muzzle device, and mild handling marks. The breechblock is locked up,
mechanically needs adjustment. 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: 40,000 - 60,000
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