December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
An exceptional specimen of the WW2 British Lanchester machine gun, immediately recognizable by its bronze magazine housing and classic profile. This model is the culmination of the Bergmann MP/18 System Schmeisser, and MP-28 designs as essentially copied by the British in an attempt to utilize less expensive materials and time-consuming manufacturing processes in the final days before stamped sheet metal machine guns became the order of the day. Marked “LANCHESTER MK I” with serial number and dated 1942 on top of magazine housing. One original 50-round Lanchester magazine is included with this lot as well as an original canvas cover on shroud with attached original sling. Electronic NFA registry indicates “LANCASTER (ENGLAND)” as the manufacturer. The markings on the underside of the magazine housing indicate “Sterling” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original non-reflective blue finish on steel parts with a thinning coverage over the attractive bronze magazine housing. Wood is extremely fine and attractive with light handing marks. Bore is extremely fine to near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt face is near excellent. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. One of the very finest examples of this scarce British machine gun this cataloger has ever encountered. This is a fabulous find for the British WWII machine gun collector, as well as a very fun, pleasant, slow-firing, and historical classic machine gun one can take to the range. 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 2024-12-49.
Manufacturer
Sterling England