May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
Truly outstanding high condition specimen of one of the very early manufactured by N.E. WESTINGHOUSE CO. Browning Model 1917 machine guns. SERIAL NUMBER 5! Almost all of the surviving unmodified Browning Model 1917 guns were deactivated guns. No evidence that this gun was ever so deactivated. Black enamel paint on this gun covers the bronze nose cap and trunnion, but the brass color is visible where the paint has been scratched off. Water fill plug is also brass and with red hard rubber thumbpiece. No drain plug or drain cork present. Attractive reddish colored pistol grip is on backplate which is of later vintage based upon the dull gray smooth bluing on this piece. Bolt and carrier also are of later vintage with the same blued finish and with visible part numbers. 1 original steam condensing hose with brass water can cap is included with this lot. Electronic NFA registry indicates “UNKNOWN” as the manufacturer, and “1917” as the model. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine original vintage black enamel paint finish on exterior metal surfaces exclusive of the backplate which has near excellent smooth grey-blue finish. There are light scratches and scuffs to the paint as one would expect. No dings or dents to the water jacket. Receiver number is the only visible number. Bore is near excellent, shiny, and bright. Bolt face extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto only machine gun. Finding an original early unmodified Westinghouse Browning Model 1917 with a low number like this a tremendous opportunity for the Early American Machine Gun collector. 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 2022-3-32
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield