Page 244 - 89-FLIPBOOK3

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VSM Vickers Mark I Heavy Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Tripod and Extensive Accessories - Serial no. 85510, 303 , 28 inch round bbl., black finish, walnut grips. Manufactured by the “VSM” Company of Cincinnati, Ohio using a mixture of their sideplate with surplus and commercial 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 at the height of World War One, 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 on the Western Front 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 uring 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 on multiple components, and a thumb trigger with “butterfly” safety. A set of smooth spade grips are installed, with integral oil/grease containers, with the tension mechanism on the left side of the receiver. Included with the lot is a steel and brass field mount tripod, two extra barrels (one marked “7.62/mm”, ammo box, parts/tools box, steam hose, assorted extra parts (some for machine guns other than the Vickers), canvas and non-disintegrating metal belts. CONDITION: Fine, with 85% plus matte black finish, showing a brown patina on areas of exposed steel, edge wear, and mild handling marks. The grips have some chipping and cracking. Some small parts absent, mechanically needs work. 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 479. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
U.S. Savage Model 1917 Lewis Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun with Case and Accessories - Serial no. 2168, 30-06 cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Developed by Issac Newton Lewis, a U.S. Army officer, the Lewis Gun was one of the lightest machine gun offerings of its era, coming in at 28 pounds with the distinctive barrel cooling assembly included. Unable to sell the gun to his superiors, Lewis resigned and took off for Belgium, where he made a tidy profit licensing the design to Birmingham Small Arms and Savage Arms. Among other distinctions, a Lewis Gun would be the first machine gun taken on a powered aircraft, and it saw very active use in World War I. This particular example was manufactured by Savage on order for the United States. Blade front and folding peep rear sights, steel barrel jacket, and aluminum cooling fins surrounding the barrel. Both the pistol grip and buttstock are smooth hardwood. The top of the receiver bears the U.S. nomenclature and a small “anchor” stamp, with the Savage address and caliber marking on the top cover and additional Savage markings on the right side. Included with the lot are three extra magazines, oilers, metal magazine case, bipod, wood transport case, and manual. CONDITION: Very good, with about 30% of the original blue finish, with a mixed brown and gray patina and varying levels of oxidization; mild spotting out at the end of the barrel jacket, heavier pitting on the receiver. The wood is good, with scuffs
and dents, and the accessories are fair. Mechanically very good. 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: 12,000 - 18,000
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