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LOT 3421
Scarce Colt Model 1918 Vickers 11MM “Balloon Buster” Aircraft Machine Gun, Class III/
NFA DEWAT C&R Fully Transferable Machine
Gun - Serial no. 14287,
11 mm , 28 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish. An early development in aircraft armament, the Colt Vickers 1918 machine gun was adapted for use in the
air. While water cooling was unneeded in an airplane, where the cold, fast moving air was more than enough to manage
barrel heat, the water jacket on the Vickers was a load-bearing component, resulting in the signature ventilation cuts on the water jacket. Multiple modifications were made to the receiver, with a swiveling arm and sliding pins to ensure none of the levers could come loose, slots cut in the top to accept remote trigger and timing hardware, and a geared arm on the tension mechanism to permit adjustment from the rear. Finally, the whole mechanism has been scaled up to handle the 11x59mm Gras round, a semi-obsolete large bore rifle round repurposed for machine gun. Especially when combined with incendiary bullets, this combination was known as the “balloon buster”, and became the weapon of choice for aviators tasked to take out artillery observer balloons. These balloons were very high value targets, and often heavily defended by both ground emplacements and enemy aircraft; taking a run at one was not an activity for the faint of heart. Colt’s markings are present on the front of the water jacket, which has a series of holes cut in the front and rear and slotted vents in the sides, while retaining the standard recoil booster assembly. No provision for ground firing is made; no sights, no trigger or handgrips. The bolt face is marked “11MM.”, with a mixed electro-penciled number on the side of the bolt components.
CONDITION: Fine, with 85% of the original blue finish, with a mixed brown patina, scattered handling marks, and mild wear overall. The water jacket has taken some hits, most prominently on the left rear side, causing significant deformation and cracking of the assembly, and the bolt face is chipped. NOTE: This is a registered DEWAT weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), as a National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon, that is fully transferable. It has been classified as a Curio 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.
LOT 3422
British/Inter-American STEN Mk. II Submachine Gun, Class III/NFA “SALES SAMPLE” - Serial no. FL17940, 9 mm cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
metal stock. One of the signature Commonwealth weapons of WWII, the STEN was largely constructed from tube steel and metal stampings, a significant departure from the previous
generation of beautiful but expensive SMGs, giving the Allies a light, effective, and inexpensive close-quarters weapon. Blade front and peep rear sights, with the model marking on top of
the magazine well and “H.F & CO. LTD” and the serial number on the underside, with a full black finish, “R” and “A” marked selector switch on the trigger group and a half-tubular fixed buttstock.
Inter-American’s import marking is present on the underside of the tube. Magazine absent.
CONDITION: Good, with 60% of the refurbished blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, scattered scratches and mild handling marks. Mechanically fine. NOTE: This weapon is a restricted, National Firearms Act (NFA) Class 3, Fully Automatic Weapon, that 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 478. This weapon is currently registered as being “LIMITED TO USE AS A SALES SAMPLE (Pre-86)” and as such can only be purchased by an FFL, with a Class 2 or Class 3 SOT License.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
230
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000