This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/16/2022
These are 2 original unmodified pre-World War II manufactured Colt M2 water cooled machineguns. These guns were originally registered prior to the 1968 amnesty period as “Model 1921” machineguns, although they are actually marked Colt M2 machineguns. The consignor acquired them in December 2000 from a retired Army officer. This retired Army Officer had acquired the pair in December, 1967 from a gun shop in St. Louis, Missouri. Research revealed to the consignor that these 2 guns originally came from a museum in California, where they were on display in the 1950s. Neither of these guns were in military inventory when upgrade modifications were made to M2 machine guns. Modified guns have a 3/8” diameter hole on the right side of each receiver under the feed tray, which allows access to the barrel locking spring. These 2 Colt M2s are mounted on an original heavy shield mount designated “MARK 22 TWIN PEDESTAL MOUNT” manufactured by Heintz Manufacturing Co of Philadelphia. The mount is likely pre-WWII because its brass identification plates state the mount is “FOR M.G. CAL. .50 COLT BROWNING”. Consignor states he acquired the mount from a military vehicle collector, who related that he removed it from a half-track. The shield of the mount has a weathered insignia which may indicate the New Zealand Air Force, conveying some indication it was utilized to guard airfields in the South Pacific. The insignia has been carefully preserved. This mount has never been demilitarized. The entire mount was disassembled, sandblasted, cleaned, primed, painted, lubricated and reassembled. The following parts and accessories are included with this lot: contemporary custom made wood transit chests for each gun, 2 lengths of belted non-functional “display” ammunition, USMC back strap (shooters seat), 2 M-3 Water Chests, completely reconditioned. These water chests incorporate a hand-operated water pump holding approximately 7 gallons of water. They employ water hoses to attach to the water jacket of the gun, allowing one soldier to keep each machinegun cool with constantly-circulating water. Water chest covers are present. Other accessories include 2 pair of reproduction water hoses, approx. 25 ft., with expertly made brass fittings and original hose clamps (for display), 2 pair of water hoses made at a hydraulic hose shop, in case one wants to shoot these guns at the range and not soil the display hoses, 2 original early raised lettering US “Tombstone” ammo cans in excellent condition, each one with a loading crank. Original rear anti-aircraft sight eyepiece and front spider sight ring on brass adjustable sight base are present. The front sight base is believed to have come from an Orlicon machinegun and has been adapted to the Mark 22 mount. Additional accessories include an original Navy-marked grease gun which attaches to a clamp on the pedestal mount, an original old-style watercooled Browning 50 M2 combination wrench, a muzzle gland wrench, a cleaning rod with broken shell extractor, chamber cleaning brush and canvas case, a NIB M12 ammunition belt hand linker-delinker, and two gallons of .50 cal ammo links. There are photocopies of the following manuals: Technical Manual No. 9-230 Machinegun Mounts For Boats (October, 1943), ORD 9 SNC A-55 Ordnance Supply Catalog, List of All Parts of Mount, Pedestal, Machine Gun, Cal .50, M39, M39A1, M43, and M43A1; and Mount, Pedestal, Twin, Cal .50, M46 (14 October, 1944), TM9-226 Technical Manual, Browning Machine Gun, Cal .50, M2, Water-cooled, and Mounts (December 10, 1940), FM 23-65 Browning Machine Gun Cal .50 HB, M2 (19 June, 1991). There are several cans of spray paint to touch up any scratches which the mount may acquire. Electronic NFA Registry indicates “BROWNING ARMS CO” as the manufacturer for each gun. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish are extremely fine to near excellent original parkerized finish with some dings, dents, and scratches to the water jackets. More so on the left-hand gun. Left hand gun is set-up for left hand feed and has wooden backplate handles with composite cocking handle. Right hand gun is set-up for right hand feed and all the handles are composite handles. Bore of each gun is extremely fine. Barrels and thread protectors are of Colt manufacture. Bolt of each gun extremely fine to near excellent as are internal parts. Mechanics are crisp and positive. Consignor states that until these 2 Colts were retrieved from long-time storage, only 21 other transferable, registered original M2 water-cooled .50s were known to be in private ownership in the United States. There are a number of water-cooled .50 caliber guns made up from parts from air-cooled ground, or basic aircraft guns, however original water-cooled M2s, in their original configuration, are quite scarce. This is an exceedingly impressive display ensemble for museum or private collection, and anyone who has watched popular films about the attack on Pearl Harbor will recognize this iconic American machine gun. THESE ARE BOTH NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEMS AND REQUIRE BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. BOTH OF THESE ITEM ARE FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2022-11-84
CORRECTION: Photos updated.
Accessories
Numerous accessories
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .50 BMG
Serial Number
(A) 789224 (B) 796285