April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
The Vickers water cooled machine gun was the immediate evolutionary progression from the venerable Maxim machine gun. By relocating the trigger mechanism to the top of the action, the overall height of the receiver box could be shortened and the gun consequently lightened. From the perspective of the modern day collector/shooting enthusiast the Vickers is more readily and easily converted to different calibers according to the desires of the owner. This attractive Vickers is marked on water jacket “7.92/303” and is registered as fully transferable by FAKTS out of Houston, TX. This gun is currently set-up to shoot the popular 8mm Mauser, but could be readily converted to shoot .303 British or even .30-06 if one had the correct parts. Parts remain available to convert the Vickers to shoot the popular 7.62 Russian cartridge as well. Details about this particular example are that it has a brass screw on drain cap, unarmored muzzle, feed shuttle numbered 10792 with evidence of conversion to 8mm. Bolt is numbered 877T and is indeed 8mm. Various parts are marked “MA” indicating Australian manufacture and others such as water jacket being marked “ET” (Erithworks) and having British crown proof marks. This gun is extremely professionally assembled. Mechanism moves smoothly when operated by hand. PROVENANCE: The class III weapons formerly on loan to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine as refinished. Metal surfaces retain over 90% of their blue finish with an area of brown patina just forward of rear sight. Backplate handles are a hard bakelite plastic material while metal surfaces of backplate have enamel paint mostly flaking off revealing a gray/brown patina. Water jacket retains over 95% gray/green repainted finish. Muzzle booster shows some slight pitting, green verdigris and some slight oxidation. Bore has strong bright lands, but dark in grooves. Bolt face is near excellent. Mechanics are fine. Tripod serial numbered 389 and marked with brass plate “VICKERS MACH. GUN/TRIPOD/MARK IV/MGF. BY COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. Tripod only has about 10% of its original paint; bare metal surfaces have turned brown with corrosion and fairly heavy scale; brass pedestal and head still retain 80% of their green paint. Front and rear retaining pins present. Traverse elevation mechanism works fine. This tripod appears fully functional. A very fine Vickers gun for the discerning enthusiast who is looking for a lock with the difficult to find extractor for the 8mm / .30-06 cartridge. 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.