GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
Lot #1060:
WESTINGHOUSE, BROWNING 1917 WCMG, 226054, 30-06, MODERN; C&R, PROV, 2 AMMO CANS, 2 WATER CANS, 2 STEAM HOSES W/ COVERS, 1 GUNNERS KIT BOX, 1 TRIPOD, 3 BOOKS
EXTREMELY DESIRABLE ALL ORIGINAL NEW ENGLAND WESTINGHOUSE BROWNING MODEL 1917 MACHINE GUN ON TRIPOD WITH ACCESSORIES (CURIO & RELIC).WESTINGHOUSEBROWNING 1917 WCMG22605430-062 ammo cans, 2 water cans, 2 steam hoses w/ covers, 1 gunners kit box, 1 tripod, 3 booksMODERN; NFA; C&RCal. .30-06 24" bbl. Very desirable curio and relic eligible unmodified Browning Model 1917 machine gun. This is pure joy for the early American machine gun collector as it is in its orig unmodified form without reinforcement stirrup at bottom plate. Most of the early Browning water cooled guns were retrofitted to strengthen the attachment of the side plate to the bottom plate. In addition to a WWII era 1917A1 tripod, this well accessorized lot includes two wooden ammo boxes and one of which has Berdan primed belted ammunition on a green linen belt, the other box contains display ammunition with struck primers on a green linen belt with an additional linen belt. Also included is an empty wooden gunners box with a blue identifying stripe around the outside, two steam condensing hoses in canvas covers and an extremely rare orig Browning Machine Gun Model 1917 handbook with revision date July 1, 1918. 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 very fine to extremely fine, gray green arsenal refinish (probably for WWII), with some dings at the high points showing gray metal with a noticeable ding at the bottom right side plate on the inside of the plate where one cannot see it when viewed from the side. Bronze trunnion and end caps turning a nice dark patina, starting to get a bit crusty where the solder is visible at the steel water jacket. Wooden pistol grip handles quite attractive. Cork and water fill and drain plugs in extremely fine condition. Bolt devoid of markings on top or national stock # at bottom indicating early vintage. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is very fine, shiny and bright. Boxes and cans appear to have orig paint as does tripod with brass identification plate intact. Orig curio & relic eligible specimens of this machine gun service very rarely. To find one in this condition is exceptional. 53185-1 JWK (35,000-50,000)