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LOT 1391
British Boys Mark I Bolt Action Anti-Tank Rifle, Class III/NFA Destructive
Device - Serial no. A4974, 55 cal., 36 inch round bbl., blue finish, metal stock.
Developed by BSA and Captain H.C. Boys under the name “Stanchion” and renamed
on acceptance in 1937, the Boys Rifle fired a proprietary .55 caliber armor piercing
round. Many were converted to .50 BMG after WWII, with few left in the original
.55 Boys and fewer still brought back to the States. While wartime developments
in armor technology made these rifles obsolete for their original job, they found
use targeting softer vehicles, enemy equipment, and snipers in cover too sturdy to
punch through with conventional weapons, essentially becoming anti-material rifles
decades before the term would be coined. Fitted with the early “circular” muzzle
brake, left-offset blade front and two-position elevation adjustable peep sights and
a top loading Bren-style magazine. The barreled receiver is installed in a steel frame
with integral shock absorber, folding “T” shaped front monopod, hardwood cheek
rest and rear pistol grip, and a rubberized shoulder pad with integral oiler. Included
with the rifle is a canvas muzzle cover, ammo pouch, and ten rounds of .55 Boys
ammunition loaded into two stripper clips.
CONDITION: Fine as assembled (mixed numbered barrel), with 60% of the arsenal
quality blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, scattered spotting/rust, and mild
handling marks. The rubberized pad is deteriorated/damaged, otherwise the stock
is very good. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This Destructive Device 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, National Firearms Act.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1390
World War I Hotchkiss Mk I* Cavalry Portable Machine Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. E.29240,
303 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, metal stock. This is a scarce example of a World War I British Hotchkiss MKI* light machine gun
with its Cavalry tripod, manufactured c. 1914-1918. These were developed by the British during World War I and produced in two
versions; a Tank and Cavalry version with two different models. The Tank version was produced without a buttstock and instead
has a small brass pistol grip. These were intended to be mounted either as a coaxial gun or on top in a pedestal mount. The Cavalry
version actually used a short buttstock and was mounted on the “tripod” that is included with this lot. The two models produced were
the MK I and the MKI*. The MK I could only use feed strips with the cartridges loaded in the strips, while the MKI* could use either the feed
strips or a belt of ammunition. The side of the receiver is marked: “HOTCHKISS PORTABLE MACHINE GUN. MKI*/PATENTED CALIBER .303/No
E.29240”. The top cover is correctly marked “BELT OR STRIP FEED”. The rear of the receiver is also stamped with the matching serial number
on the bolt cover, and the barrel is marked “B36783”, which probably indicates an arsenal modified or updated barrel. It is fitted with offset sights with a inverted “v” front and a tangent rear sight graduated
from 100-20 (100-2000 meters). The tripod is correctly marked: “MOUNTING TRIPOD/HOTCHKISS 303 IN GUN” with the obverse dated “1918” and the various components having the British Broad Arrow proof.
Also included is a steel and hardwood case containing 10 blued loading strips.
CONDITION: Fine, with 60% of the original blue finish, showing areas of oxidization, a mixed patina, bright edge wear and handling marks. There is a weld mark visible in the top breech area of the forward
receiver. Mechanically needs work as bolt assembly is locked back. 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 478.
Provenance: The Cater Joseph Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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