October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Manufactured by Birmingham Small Arms Company, the Lewis machine gun was the most preferred “light” machine gun used by either side during World War I. The Germans gladly employed them whenever they could capture enough ammunition to make the use of them worthwhile. They were lighter than the Maxim 08/15, and one did not need to worry about carrying belts of ammunition subject to adverse weather conditions. This gun, like most others encountered has been renumbered from its original 5-digit number to an “A” prefix number which is the registration number with BATF. This number matches on the shroud, receiver, and receiver action cover assemblies. Bolt does not match. Includes clamp-on airplane front sight and clamp-on bipod. No pan magazine present. Typical markings on receiver action cover “Manufactured by” / “The Birmingham Small Arms Co LTD” / “ENGLAND” / “for” / “Armes Automatiques Lewis” / “BELGIUM” just forward of rear sight marked “Lewis Auto Gun” / “Mod.1914-Pat.” This gun also displays British proof marks on several parts with broad arrow. This gun is a reactivated amnesty registered gun with appropriate markings and remains Curio and Relic eligible. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is very good original finish with quite a bit of thinning to gray patina or otherwise brown patina. Wood retains oiler in stock and stock has a 2” long crack near the top of the receiver running parallel to the bore line on the left side and a stock repair about a 2” by 2” at the heel near the buttplate, and has numerous little dings bruises, and light handling marks. Mechanics are fine. Bore is fine with good clean lands and grooves with scattered light pitting with a ring of corrosion near the gas port. Bolt face is fine. Grip panels are very good with some dings, bruises and handling marks. One needs only a readily available pan magazine and some .303 ammunition to have a great time at the range with this gun! 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. JWK 2019-10-221