GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
UTTERLY FANTASTIC AND RARE COLT R75A BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE WITH DETACHABLE BARREL (CURIO & RELIC).COLTR75AC10297430-06MODERN; NFA; C&RCal .30-06. 23 3/4" bbl. Truly exceptional and exceedingly rare Colt Model R75A version of the Browning automatic rifle. This incorporates some very desirable features, most importantly a quick detachable bbl which is affected by actuating the lever at the front of the gas cylinder and lifting the bbl retention spring with the point of a cartridge. Other noteable features include a bbl carrying handle, a bi-pod which is attached to the gas cylinder and folds up out of the way into recesses in the wood forend, a hinged magazine well cover, an ejection port cover, and also an incorporated pistol grip. Marked "COLT model R75", with SN on top of receiver. This is the only visible external SN. The Colt Model R75A incorporated all the most desirable features, but unfortunately was costly to produce and very few specimens remain extant and registered for private ownership. Lot includes one 20-rd Seymour manufactured magazine, and orig instructions manual for the Colt Automatic Machine Rifle Model R75, and also Orig Colt "Information relating to Colt Automatic Machine Rifle (R75A). The 3-position selector does not incorporate the familiar stud to protect the weapon for inadvertently being put on safe. Otherwise a familiar appearing BAR receiver when viewed from the left side. Fine, high-quality walnut forend and stock. Bi-pod incorporates a nice positive latch at the scissor brace,which holds the bi-pod positively in place against the forend when not in use. Manufacturer's block of NFA registration indicates "Colt". This is a National Firearms Act item and requires BATF approval prior to transfer. This weapon is fully transferable on an ATF form 3 or form 4 as Curio & Relic eligible. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish simply outstanding. Very fine to extremely fine, smooth gray Parkerized finish on receiver with fine finish on retention latches, charging handle and trigger housing, as well as gas cylinder and carrying handle. These pieces show more of a dark patina with some light corrosion. Gas cylinder exhibits an area of brown patina at forward sling swivel. Bbl exhibits an extremely fine dull gray finish, consistent with rest of firearm. There is some high edge wear to gray metal at the buttplate. Lustrous blue finish on ejection port cover hardware. Dull blue finish on magazine well cover starting to turn a brown patina with same condition on pistol grip frame. Mechanics are crisp, bore is extremely fine, shiny and bright, bolt face also extremely fine. Wood is very fine with some dings and handling marks, very attractive. With only a handful of these in the registry, this is a rare opportunity for the advanced American machine gun collector to acquire one of the scarcest and most desirable of the Browning automatic rifle models. 53153-1 JWK (70,000-100,000)