GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC WINCHESTER MODEL 1918 BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE (BAR) MACHINE GUN (C & R).WINCHESTER1918 B.A.R.20993130-06MODERN; NFA; C&RCal. .30-06. 31" bbl with flash hider. Absolutely stellar condition Winchester Model 1918 B.A.R. with orig WWI era flash hider, 1918 marked sling, and 1918 dated "Plant Bros. & Co" gunners belt with 10 mags total. Belt is ink stenciled "TROOP A" and "26" on suspension straps indicating it actually saw service. Gun with typical Winchester Browning Automatic Rifle markings with flaming bomb arsenal marks on bbl and receiver. Bbl also is Winchester MFG dated 1-19. Receiver SN is the only visible external SN. Select fire gun with wooden buttstock and checkered walnut forend, and first style gas nut. Accompanying this gun is an orig War Department Basic Field Manual of the Browning Automatic Rifle. 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 with a couple of slight dings to the lower left side of receiver at the mag well barely discernible underneath the refinish. Evidence of buff marks above mag well on left side and just to the rear of charging handles underneath finish. Buttplate is a pleasing gray patina. Wood is very fine with a couple of dings to forend and the loss of a few checks on the left side at the high edge. Sling is strong, supple, and serviceable, as is gunners belt, with 1 suspension strap parted leaving only 8" with hook and hardware intact. Mags range from lustrous blue finish with "S" proof mark on floorplate to gray thinning WWII era standard mags, all appear serviceable. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is fine with some slight pitting in the grooves, starting to turn dark. Winchester manufactured specimens of 1918 B.A.R.s in orig unmodified configuration surface only rarely and this one stands head and shoulders above all others in overall appearance and attractiveness, especially with it's vintage orig gunners belt and sling. If you have been looking for and waiting for a truly superior specimen, look no further. 52618-1 JWK115 (22,000-35,000)