November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
This beautiful fluted jacket Vickers water cooled machine gun is identified by serial number as one of 120 guns from the Japanese Navy contract in 1924 as indicated on page 396, "The Grand Old Lady of No Man's Land" by Dolf Goldsmith. Marked on top of water jacket “VSM” above serial number, this gun has an armored muzzle with original brass chains and water fill in drain caps intact. British broad arrow proofs on rails and crank, with “C” over “VSM” on .303 feedblock. Included with this lot is an original transit chest, and repainted original tripod. After World War I, Vickers did seek to sell their guns commercially on the world market, and several countries, including Japan availed themselves of the opportunity. These commercials were beautifully made. From the perspective of the modern-day collector/shooting enthusiast, the Vickers is one of the machine guns most readily and easily converted to different calibers according to the desires of the owner. Electronic NFA registry indicates “VICKERS” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original lustrous blue finish on main part of gun, with more of a gray patina on the fusee cover. Water fill cap, drain cap, and water cork all retain their original chain hardware. Backplate handles extremely attractive with light handing marks. Armored muzzle booster shows uses but remains very serviceable. Bore is extremely fine, shiny and bright. Lock and lock face also extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto only machine gun. Water cooled Vickers guns which are documented as having been taken into Japanese Navy service are exceptionally rare, and this may well be the ONLY one in the National Firearms Act registry. For the World War II Pacific theater collector, this may be the only chance they will have to acquire one. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 or 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2021-11-069
Accessories
Transit chest, tripod