May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
After the first World War, Colt marketed their water-cooled machine gun world-wide. Argentina was a buyer, and this is one of the pieces they purchased. It incorporated features implemented by Colt to attract commercial customers. This included large diameter water fill and steam hose caps and provision for utilizing no flash hider, or a special commercial flash hider using an appropriate bearing which screws into the water jacket. This commercial flash hider is present with this gun, and the appropriate bearing is present in the gunner’s chest included with this lot. This gun was ordered in, and remains in its original 7.65 x 53 MM Argentine caliber. Changing this gun to fire .30-06, or another caliber would be straightforward. One 100 round cloth belt with modern boxer primed rounds is included with this lot in an original wooden ammo box. Aside from the gun, the real star of this lot is the original and near mint gunner’s spare parts chest. The contents appear to be complete except for one of the two supplied muzzle bearings are not present. An original and correct Colt commercial tripod, complete with original medallion and leather leg retention strap are also included with this lot. Electronic NFA registry indicates “COLT” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine to near excellent matte blue refinish with some loss of finish to a gray patina on some of the high edges. Cork is missing from the original drain chain, but there are several mint original spares in the gunners box, which contain numerous spare parts including extractor, bolt, bolt carrier, accelerator, carrier, grips, springs, drain caps, muzzle bearing, pins, and even indexing wheels for a belt loading machine. Inventory diagram (in Spanish) is intact and present inside the lid. Contents are near excellent with a bit of brown patina on the spare bolt. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt face is extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto only machine gun. A very attractive looking Browning with no dents in the water jacket, and in original configuration. Incredible find for the advanced and discerning Colt machine gun collector. See also in this auction an original WW1 vintage wooden wheel horse drawn two-wheeled cart appropriate for this gun. 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 2025-05-077.
Accessories
Tripod, Armorer
Caliber/Bore
7.65mm Argentine