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LOT 3429
World War II U.S. High Standard M2 50 Caliber Heavy Machine
Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with
Tripods - Serial no. 1134628, 50 cal., 45 inch round bbl., parkerized
finish, synthetic grips. Manufactured by High Standard of New Haven,
Connecticut, 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 range 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. While primarily known
for sporting arms, especially 22 caliber target pistols, High Standard fulfilled
many government contracts for World War II, including for heavy machine
guns, silencers, and barrels for the 1911A1 pistol. Hooded blade front and
folding ladder peep sights, with the seven-line nomenclature, address and
patent markings on the right side plate, near a set of faint military inspection
markings (possibly a GHD cartouche), a short vented barrel shroud, and a
heavyweight barrel. The charging handle is synthetic construction, with a
set of hardwood spade grips. Two tripods are included, one green painted
standard field mount (pintle included, T&E absent) and one black painted
elevated anti-aircraft tripod (sans mounting hardware).
CONDITION: Very fine as refinished, with 95% of the arsenal quality
parkerized finish, showing minor wear and handling marks overall. The
tripods show some rust and wear. 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) 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: 30,000 - 45,000