October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Exceedingly low serial number specimen of the Armalite AR-18 machine gun in its pistol configuration. Visible numbers match between upper and lower receivers. Ambidextrous three position selector. Original wooden and composite hand guard and forward vertical hand grip. Original early "ARMALITE" marked AR-18 magazine included. The AR-18 was designed to be a less expensive yet improved alternative to the US M16 rifle. Originally designed in 1963, it incorporates sheet metal construction and an ambidextrous selector, also a folding stock. Examination reveals many familiar parts from the M-16 such as front sight post, which rotates, and adjustable flip peep sight. It takes M16 magazines as welll. Ejection port cover is interesting in that it closes over the charging handle slot with the bolt forward. Both vertical foregrip and pistol grip are marked "AR-18 ARMALITE". Manufacturer and model markings on left side of the receiver. Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent. Original smooth grey finish on metal parts. Some light scratches and handling marks to pistol grip; two small pieces to the left side of the hand guard have broken away and are not present and on the right side there is a repaired crack 4" long which is not immediately noticeable. Aluminum magazine has a black anodized finish wearing to bare metal at the high edges and where the magazine latch touches the side of the magazine. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Mechanics are crisp. The AR-18 is a high quality and very reliable machine gun and enjoys popularity with many shooting enthusiasts. This exceedingly rare, early specimen in a prototype configuration is an important example of the American machine gun developmental history. 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 & RELIC ELIGIBLE.