GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC EXCEEDINGLY RARE COLT MONITOR MACHINE GUN U.S.M.C. MARKED (C&R). COLT 1919 BAR C-101214 30-06 MODERN; NFA; C&R Cal. .30-06. 23-1/8" bbl with compensator. This absolutely fantastic Colt Monitor was formerly in the personal collection of James Lester Ballou, author of the noted book on the Browning Automatic Rifle A Rock and A Hard Place. Marked on top of receiver "Colt Automatic Machine Rifle / Model 1919-Cal. 30" with Browning patent and Colt manufacturing address as well as SN. Bolt locking block at top of receiver exhibits beautiful Marine Corp symbol with logo "Semper Fi" and "U.S.M.C." Left side of receiver exhibits large "COLT MONITOR". Cutts compensator is marked at bottom with "CUTTS" logo and trademark "Mfd by / SD & M". Included in this lot is one unmarked 20 rnd mag and one reproduction leather sling. The former owner Jim Ballou acquired a parts set and later this receiver which hs then had professionally assembled together and refinished with the attractive gold filled lettering exhibited on this machine gun. Receiver SN is the only external SN present. This is a National Firearms Act item and requires BATF approval for transfer. This item is fully transferable on an ATF form 3 or 4 as Curio & Relic eligible. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine as refinished, high luster Colt commercial type blue with a more of a non-reflective blue on the heat-shield above the forearm and on handgrip hardware. There are some tiny dings to the metal of the forearm heat-shield noticeable on both sides under finish and some very light pinprick pitting discernible on the side of the charging handle visible only upon close inspection. One can see the occasional handling marks in couple of spots, but this is a really outstanding, eye catching, and very rare variation ot the Browning Automatic rifle. Wood has some dings and handling marks particularly on the forend which has evidence of having gotten quite hot and bubbling the finish at some point. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is very fine, shiny and bright. Compensator has traces of green verdigris in the slots but is otherwise as beautiful a blue as the rest of this exceedingly high quality manufactured gun. The Colt Monitor is so rare as a transferable gun, and this ones condition albeit refinished, together with it's provenance to the noted author James Lester Ballou make it a tremendous opportunity for the advanced American machine gun collector. 52517-6 JWK90 (50,000-75,000)