September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
The Colt Model 1915 Vickers is among the most sought of all the water-cooled machine guns in the United States. Not only is the quality, fit, and finish utterly superior to sideplate guns, but also the fact that it is in .30-06 makes is easier to convert to other caliber cartridges with the same case rim size (8 mm, .308, etc.). The Vickers machine gun as a model is incredibly versatile, and if one has the appropriate parts, one can also convert it to other caliber cartridges such as 7.62 Russian, .303 British, and even .45-70 should the owner desire. Marked on top front of nose cap forward of water jacket “VICKERS MACHINE GUN / MODEL OF 1915 / COLT’S PT. F.A. MF. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, followed by the registered (contract) serial number, 9749. The consecutive unit number from the factory may be found on the underside of the nose cap below the patent information, on the bottom plate, and the inside of each sideplate. These guns have two equally valid serial numbers, just as U.S. Navy Lewis guns do, and just like on Navy Lewis guns, sometimes they are registered under the contract number, and sometimes under the consecutive unit number. This is an all-original Colt Model 1915 gun, and not a reworked 11mm balloon gun. Lock is matching, marked in electro-pencil “9748B” on body, extractor, and tumbler arm. Attractive original Colt gutta-percha handgrips. Correct top-cover with beautiful rear sight. Original water fill and drain caps with chains present. Hardware for drain cork is present, without actual cork (easily replaced). Original Colt .30-06 booster present. Accessories include original Colt Vickers tripod with original identification medallion (360) on leg, with brass range cover on elevation wheel, green painted water can with brass cap, two white painted steel Vickers ammunition cans, one with retention strap not present. Two spare barrels are also included. One in .30-06 and the other in 8mm Mauser (8x57 mm). Electronic NFA registry indicates “COLT” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is exceptionally near excellent original non-reflective blue finish throughout with a duller finish on the water jacket, with a few spots of finish loss, and some loss of finish at the high edges to a gray patina. Grips are near excellent. Lock and lock face is near excellent. Bores of all three barrels are near excellent, shiny and bright. This is a full auto only machine gun. It would be very difficult to upgrade the condition of this specimen, probably the finest of its kind this cataloger has ever encountered. 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 2024-09-085.
Accessories
tripod, ammo cans, water can
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield