May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
This Browning aircraft light machine gun was assembled using some Colt parts by Marana Arms. It is marked on top of feed cover “MARANA ARMS MFG/MDL. H/SERIAL NO. 1/MARANA, ARIZONA/.30 CALIBER MG”. Left hand side plate is marked “MARANA ARMS MFG./MODEL H/SERIAL NO. 1”. Right side of trunnion marked “MG 40/MADE BY/(OBSCURED BY MOUNTING BRACKET)/RD, CONN.” Bottom plate marked with registered SN 124144 and “M.A.M/NO. 1”. This gun has areas of welding where a rudimentary but functional carrying handle has been attached to the top cover. Lyman adjustable rear sight has been welded to the top of receiver and a hand grip has been welded to the buffer. Trigger is a curved hand fitted piece of aluminum. Cocking handle is also homemade. Action is stiff when cocked by hand but appears fully functional. Screw in muzzle assembly is not present. PROVENANCE: The Class III weapons formerly on loan to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish about 70% gray parkerized finish, thinning in spots with evidence of grind marks from assembly as well as welding. This weapon was obviously crafted with the intent for functionality leaving aesthetics to be refined later. Bolt is in-the-white and has some significant scale around the bolt face and within the top cover actuator grooves near the front of the bolt. The interior of the receiver appears as though this gun were fired with corrosive ammunition and left uncleaned. Bore is shiny with some wears to the lands and some pitting near the muzzle. Muzzle bearing has orange corrosion within. Here is an example of a Browning aircraft gun that one could take to the range and shoot without the need to worry about wear to a C&R gun. 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. JWK 2020-05-093.