September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
Beautiful French made portable Hotchkiss with fixed wooden stock and heavily knurled barrel made under contract for South America in 7mm Mauser. Marked on left side of receiver "MITRAILLEUSE AUTOMATIQUE PORTATIVE HOTCHKISS / BREVETEE S.G.D.G. CALIBRE 7 M/M" over serial number and year of manufacture "1910". Matching serial numbers visible on external parts. Bipod present and serviceable as is monopod retention latch at bottom rear of buttstock. The portative Hotchkiss bears an incredibly close resemblance to the U.S. Model 1909 Benet Mercie machine gun, but the Hotchkiss has the advantage of accepting a more commonly found feed strip. This gun requires a feedstrip for rimless cartridges and will accept 8mm Turkish feed strips as well as 7mm feed strips. In a pinch, Japanese Hotchkiss feed strips will also serve. NFA Electronic Registry indicates, "Form 2 Registration" in the manufacturer's block. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine to near excellent refinish on gun itself with bipod exhibiting lustrous original finish. Hardware of buttstock also original finish. Wood has typical dings and handling marks with a small chip out of the wood at the bottom front of the pistol grip. One does not notice this unless one examines the gun closely. Bore has distinct rifling forward of the chamber becoming more and more worn as it progresses towards the muzzle. Bolt face is extremely fire. Mechanics are fine. This is a full-auto only machine gun. To aid those who are not familiar with this model, in order to cock it, one rotates the bolt handle to the left so that it is in the 11:30 position; then one must strongly pull the bolt handle straight back until the bolt locks in the rear (open) position. Then return the bolt handle to the forward position and rotate it to the right. Rotating to the first index mark on the back for "A" (Automatic) fire, the second index mark for "R" (Rifle) fire, and the third index mark for "S" (Safety). One must also remember that in order to release the bolt forward either a feed strip needs to be inserted into the feedway and/or the plunger on the right side or the receiver needs to be depressed upward. The Hotchkiss design was dependable and effective in the hands of those well-trained to use them. It was used by several countries, including the United States before, during, and after World War I. Its robust design and use of metal feed strips avoided the pitfalls of cloth belts and their exposure to the elements. A particular advantage in areas of the world with wet inhospitable climates or where insects or molds would readily consume fabric. For those who know them, the Hotchkiss is a popular recreational machine gun. Specimens of this model have been successfully converted to fire the popular .308 round. 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 2023-9-39.
Caliber/Bore
7x57mm Mauser