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LOT 352 VSM Vickers Mark I Heavy Machine Gun with Tripod and Crates, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. H2521, 303 , 28 inch round bbl., black enamel finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured by the “VSM” Company of Cincinnati, Ohio using a mixture of their sideplate with original parts, this is an exceptionally well made, fully functional version of the famous Vickers Machine Gun. In many ways an evolution of the Maxim gun, the Vickers was a state of the art heavy machine gun, with the water cooling mechanism permitting a volume of sustained fire that can’t be matched by air-cooled single barrel weapons. Properly positioned and supplied, the Vickers could inflict hideous damage to an exposed or charging enemy, and a large number of casualties in World War One were due to these weapons. While later strategic developments would favor lighter, air-cooled guns as an organic part of the infantry unit, the Vickers still performed well during the inter-war period, being very well suited to fixed position defense and stationary operations. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with a muzzle booster device fitted to the ribbed water jacket, “VSM” stamps and matching serial numbers on multiple components, and a thumb trigger with “butterfly” safety. A set of smooth spade grips are installed (left grip empty, right grip containing a grease brush), with the tension mechanism on the left side of the receiver. Included with the lot is a green painted field mount and a pair of hardwood transport cases. CONDITION: Very fine, with 75% of the black enamel paint finish, showing some wear on the tension mechanism cover and high edges, light scratches and dings, and some minor spotting. The drain cork for the water jacket shows cracking and loss, and some minor chips and cracks are visible on the spade grips. Accessories are in fine order. Mechanically fine. 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 478. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 353
Valmet (VKT)/
Inter Armament L-39 Lahti
Semi-Automatic Anti- Tank Rifle, Class III/NFA Destructive Device, with Extra Magazines and Accessories - Serial no. 1918, 20 mm cal.,
50 inch round bbl., black finish, metal stock. Introduced in 1939 and
rushed into service for the Winter War, the Lahti L-39 fires a 20mm anti-tank
round from a top-loaded magazine and was capable of successfully engaging the Soviet armor of the era. It was fielded under the nomenclature “20 pst kiv/39” (as seen on this example). Measuring taller than a man and weighing in at close to 110 pounds, the L-39 is fitted with a ported muzzle brake, left-offset blade and tangent sights, a dual-mode bipod with brass covered wood skids and swing-out spiked legs, crank-action cocking handle, smooth hardwood grips with an oversized steel handguard, wooden cheek piece, and an adjustable rubber recoil pad. The left side of the receiver bears the military nomenclature, “VKT” logo, and “SA” Finnish Army acceptance mark. Included with the lot is four metal magazine cases, eight extra magazines, a small spare parts kit box with Finnish Army nomenclature, and 21 rounds of ammunition with individual cardboard sleeves. CONDITION: Fine, with 40% of the blue finish, showing heavy spotting on the barrel and frame, areas of brown patina, and scattered handling marks. Mixed numbers are present on multiple parts, including the trigger housing and buttstock. Mechanically fine. 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 478.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000 295