April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
This New England Small Arms Model 1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle was lifted from the factory assembly line prior to it receiving military proofmarks, or even a serial number. This gun is registered under the casting number visible inside the receiver. It bears a presentation plate on the right side of the receiver indicating: “TO COMMANDER S.L. “CASEY” LAMBERT FROM MAJOR GENERAL RALPH J. OLSON”; Stafford L. “Casey” Lambert served in the U.S. Navy from 1933 to 1946. He passed away in 1976. S.L. Lambert was a relation of the same Lambert which the airfield in St. Louis is named for. This gun was manufactured in November 1944 as indicated by the flaming bomb proof and date on the barrel. It is in near mint condition just as it left the factory save for the presentation plate and some incidental handling marks. It incorporates a 1st variation gas regulator, bipod, and hard composite buttstock as well as one web sling and one lustrous blue finish magazine. Interesting background provenance on S.L. "Casey" Lambert is also provided in the form of a copy of a May 21, 1967 newspaper spread including photographs which recounts his career as a barnstorming pilot in the 1920s, flying with Charles Lindberg, and shooting skeet with Dwight Eisenhower. Electronic NFA registry indicates “UNKNOWN” as the manufacturer, and the model “M1918”. PROVENENCE: From the personal collection of a very discerning and advanced machine gun collector who desires to remain anonymous as he draws down his collection. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near mint original smooth factory grey finish with only the slightest loss at the high edges, and handling marks. Consignor indicates there was no magazine with the gun when they acquired it, nor sling. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright and bolt face is near mint. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto only machine gun. This may well be an unfired specimen. The BAR is always a favorite among collectors and shooters, and finding a New England Small Arms manufactured specimen is difficult, and to find one in such fantastic original condition is unheard of. This is an investment level firearm for the advanced and discerning 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 & RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2023-04-15
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield
Manufacturer
New England Small Arms Corp.
Paperwork
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