GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
VERY ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL WESTINGHOUSE BROWNING MODEL 1917 WATER-COOLED MACHINE GUN AS REGISTERED BY DLO WITH TRIPOD AND ACCESSORIES. (FULLY TRANSFERABLE).DLO/BROWNING1917 W.C.M.G.15147030-06W/TRIPODMODERN; NFACal. .30.06. 24" bbl. Attractive example of the Browning 1917 machine gun as manufactured by N.E. Westinghouse Co., and subsequently registered by Douglas Oefinger. Includes WW II era water chest, steam condensing hose in case, wooden ammunition box w/ 100-rd cloth belt w/ approx. 42 rds of commercial Winchester ammunition, 2 additional grommet ended cloth belts and post WWII gunner's kit box w/ spare bolt, spare parts roll, lubricating can, tool roll and spare main spring, as well as WWII era 1917A1 tripod. External SN is the only visible SN The 1917 Browning was fielded during WWI and later modified to 1917A1 by adding a reinforcement stirrup at the bottom of the receiver plates. Unmodified specimens in their orig configurations are extremely rare. 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. CONDITION: Very fine orig finish thinning to a pleasing gray-brown patina w/ some high edge wear at tripod attachment points, with pleasing dark patina to bronze trunnion and end cap. Thumb piece on water fill cap intact, chain and drain plug at muzzle are replacements, with remnants of the cork plug in steam output aperture. Mechanics are crisp, very smooth action, bore is very good w/ some shine, dark in the grooves w/ moderate pitting. Ammo box and water can exhibit fine orig paint and appear very serviceable. Steam hose and cover extremely fine, appear unissued, as does gunner's box and tools. Tripod retains legible 1942 date on brass data plate w/ very fine paint coverage. This is a wonderful opportunity for the WWI American machine gun collector who desires a fully transferable specimen of a very rare WWI collectible for their personal collection. 53161-1 JWK (17,500-25,500)