September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Extremely scarce WW1 Marlin Mark V Swebelius inline piston model of the earlier “Digger” machine gun, as refined and improved to make it more versatile and appropriate to specialized applications such as for aircraft and for mounting in vehicles, such as tanks. This gun includes an extremely rare ground use adapter pistol grip specifically designed for the Mk V Digger and also a rare Springfield manufacture Model 1916 "Digger" tripod. Marlin Rockwell took over the manufacturing rights to the Colt Model 1914 digger from Colt in 1916 and began producing this improved design in 1917. The sliding door on the right side gives easier access to the action and is an immediate telltale sign of a Marlin digger. I called this gun a “digger” in the title, but this is an intentional misnomer. The signature reciprocating arm under the barrel gas block has been replaced with an in-line gas piston system. The advantage of not requiring a space under the front on the gun for the arm is obvious when one considers mounting this gun on an aircraft, or through the firing port of a vehicle. Soldiers under field conditions immediately recognized this as an improvement which allowed the gun to be employed lower to the ground providing less of a target silhouette. This is an aircraft model without cooling fins on the barrel to save weight, and one can also see the provision for synchronization and actuation of the sear at the top rear of the receiver. This gun is marked on top of receiver as well as on non-matching barrel “MARLIN ARMS CORP / NEW HAVEN, CONN. / U.S.A / INSP. J.A.D. 1918 / CAL .30” plus serial number. Also included with this gun is an exceptionally rare original Model 1916 tripod for the digger. Electronic NFA registry indicates, “MARLIN” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine original blue finish thinning to gray patina at the high edges and on the cocking handle with evidence of reactivation at the right side just forward of the ejection port where the is bare metal and couple of jagged edges. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt face is extremely fine. Wood hand grip near excellent with light handling marks. Model 1916 tripod is exceptionally clean as restored and repainted. This is a scarce specimen of a model which was a noteworthy development of a popular machine gun design and will no doubt find a deserving place in the collection of a World War I enthusiast, or perhaps with a WW1 aircraft restorer. An extremely attractive and very “modern looking” for its day machine 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 2025-09-226.
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield