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These tests were performed after the
U.S. Army had the M16 in official service as
adopted in 1964, with the purpose of the SAWS tests
being to experiment with the best overall weapon
combination for its rifle squads. T223 type rifles also
ended up being fielded on an experimental basis by
special forces in the Vietnam War, notably by the U.S.
Navy SEALs who were in need of alternative rifles for
their units and reportedly ended up acquiring a very
limited amount of them. There are photographs in
circulation online in which they can be seen carrying
these early rifles in Vietnam; notably a photograph of
U.S. Navy SEAL Rudy Boesch, in which some captions
state he his holding a Harrington & Richardson T223,
but this writer believes he may possibly be holding a
variant more similar to this HK223 instead due to slight
differences in the shape of the lower forward area of the
receiver where some T223s had an integral provision for
a bipod, and although the referenced photographs of
the gun he is holding are not entirely clear, it does not
appear to have the bolt hold open lever in the trigger
guard area, aligning more closely with the features of
the HK223 we are offering here. One of the advantages
these rifles had in Vietnam at that time was the use of
40-round magazines in addition to 20-rounders. That
early in the Vietnam War, the M16 rifles were typically
only supplied with 20-round magazines. For special
forces units, the additional magazine capacity was
a plus, and the T223 type rifles were reportedly well
received by their users. Hooded post front and four-
position drum rear sights, with a birdcage flash hider,
ribbed narrow forearm, functional “paddle” magazine
release, with right handed selector with “S/E/F”, and
a prototype buttstock similar to what is seen in the
limited amount of photographs of the Harrington &
Richardson
T223 machine
guns. The
left side of the
magazine well is marked “HK 223 - 0242”
above a “1966” date, with no markings on the
right side or top of the gun. The replacement
HK33 type pistol trigger housing is marked
“62-426661/DE 9mm x 19/HK” in three lines on
the front concealed surface. The receiver, trigger
housing and trigger pack are in “pin” configuration,
and the bolt carrier is in original full auto configuration,
with some slightly different design cues in the shape of
the bolt assembly as a prototype when compared with
that of the HK33 that followed. Magazine absent.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original matte gray
finish, showing minor handling evidence. The furniture
is also excellent. Mechanically excellent. This may be a
once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire this extremely
rare prototype HK223 machine gun! 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.
Provenance: Harrington & Richardson Factory
Museum Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 75,000 - 140,000
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