September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
DLO registered Remington Model 1917 Browning water-cooled machine gun. Immediately recognizable because it has no reinforcing stirrup around the bottom rear of the receiver box. The gun has attractive vintage wooden grips, a clamp-on anti-aircraft front sight, and “beer can” style muzzle attachment. Water and drain caps and chains are original and intact. Cork hardware and chain present but no cork (easily replaced). Both the nose cap and the trunnion are an attractive bronze. Rear sight is graduated in meters. Original early dovetail receptacle for optic at left rear of receiver. Top of bolt unmarked. Very few of these early Model 1917 guns remain today, and of those that do, most are Westinghouse manufactured. In the last 20 years, this cataloger has only seen a total of three Model 1917 machine guns manufactured by Remington. This is a gun which has seen some use with a wear pattern that is pleasing rather than detracting from its attractiveness. Once it is acknowledged that a military gun could have seen combat, there is a certain allure that is attached to a gun that has the seasoning to substantiate it. That is an undeniable fact. This gun has plenty of attractive accessories with it, including an original 1918 tripod with brass medallion on center leg, and an original “1918” dated leather tool pouch strapped to the center leg. The tool pouch contains an M5 combination wrench for the 1917A1 tripod, spanner for muzzle, combination wrench, sealed package of muzzle gland packing material, and modern made headspace and timing gauge. No rear attachment pin for gun to tripod present. Other accessories include a 1918 belt loading machine in original box, six original wooden ammunition boxes, two water cans (one without cap), one green cloth ammunition belt, and one contemporary, but very professionally built transit chest with internal blocking to carry this gun in. Electronic NFA registry indicates “OEFINGER,DOUGLAS DBA DLO MFG” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is a fine original rust blue finish turning a pleasing gray and brown patina. Left wood grip panel has a sliver of wood missing from rear side, which compromises it fitting tightly without slightly rotating. This can be repaired. Bore is utterly fabulous, mirror bright. Bolt is extremely fine to near excellent. Mechanics are crisp. This is a fully automatic only machine gun. Loading machine is extremely fine and serviceable with a cracked storage box. One of the wooden ammunition boxes has sustained some damage to the front leaving about a 6" rectangular opening. Tripod is very fine, original paint with good serviceable mechanics. The Browning water-cooled machine gun is very distinctive and especially popular on the range. Something about the vintage and quality of manufacturing that went into these early guns gives them a leg-up on all that came after. There are numerous Colt 1928 commercial parts kit guns on registered sideplates, and a significant number of semi-auto versions of the Browning water cooled machine gun, but this specimen is something much more. This one has a character and bespeaks of history, and of a time when even a gun made under military contract was fabricated and finished with pride. A fine offering for the historical and recreational belt fed machine gun enthusiast. 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 JWK 2024-09-086.
Accessories
crate, tripod, ammunition cans, water cans
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield