April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Very fine specimen of the French Chauchat machine gun. Produced quickly often using rifle barrels on hand when the French realized they were behind on having automatic rifles, this model saw widespread use during World War I, and subsequently many were sold to Finland after the war when the French updated their machine gun models. Hence many specimens seen in this country have "SA" markings as this one does. Marked “C.S.R.G.” with matching numbered upper and lower receivers with six-sided star and “SIDARME”. Includes five original magazines with original green painted wooden box. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is very good to fine original blue finish turning a brown patina and otherwise thinning to a gray patina. Magazines are fine and very clean. Wood furnishings have some chips and handling marks but still remain very strong and serviceable. Bore is extremely fine, shiny and bright. Chamber is very clean. Bolt face also extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. This gun, although unquestionably used, is quite a nice specimen of a very widely used and historic World War I machine gun. This cataloger can attest to the fact that this gun runs well. 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 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE.
Caliber/Bore
8x50mmR Lebel