October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
This German MG 15 is marked with Weimar era eagle proofs and was manufactured by “jua”. Additionally it is marked on right side of receiver below magazine well with a series of indiscernible numbers and letters followed by “COLLINSVILLE” indicating that this gun was at one time reactivated by Rich Lauchli. This restoration was so good that except for these marking it is otherwise indiscernible. Perhaps all the gun needed was a lead chamber plug removed. Later this gun was in the personal collection of William Easterly, a noteworthy machine gun researcher and collector. This MG 15 includes clamp on attachment for bipod, bipod marked with eagle proof marks and leg adjustment knob, front and rear anti-aircraft sights, “brc43” marked carrying handle, clamp on shoulder extension, original leather sling, aftermarket leather sling, complete spare bolt serial number 38852 with extractor, gunner’s leather wallet complete with tools, firing pins, extractors and oiler, and five original saddle drum magazines with carrier and winding tool. Bolt, receiver and hand grip serial numbers match however extractor is not present within bolt. Clamp on shoulder stock serial number does not match. Hinged shoulder rest folds properly. Bipod deploys properly. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine to near excellent with over 95% of a black enamel paint refinish on gun. Clamp on accessory extension on barrel shroud retains about 85% of its finish and starting to “pill” as will happen over time to zinc alloy. Shoulder extension retains about 90% of its finish with leather shaft cover intact and serviceable although with some gouges and scrapes. Black leather pads on shoulder rest are soft and serviceable, starting to become thin at corners. Gun carrying handle retains nearly all of its black enamel paint finish with a recent addition of a washer to rear side. Dark brown bakelite to rear of receiver and hand grip in excellent, clean condition. Later day replacement leather sling starting to crack at forward sling swivel. Original leather sling although not on gun is serviceable and starting to harden and flake. Gunner’s kit is in absolutely amazing condition for its age, dated 1940 with Weimar era drooped wing eagle proof mark on cover together with Luftwaffe part number. Tools and spare parts within in pristine condition with broken case extraction wrench with Weimar eagle and marked as manufactured by Heinrich Krieghoff. Leather retaining strap somewhat worn but still in good, serviceable condition. 75-round saddle drums all appear to be in good, serviceable condition with finish ranging from good to extremely fine. Drum winder dated 1939 manufactured by BSW has drooped wing eagle Weimar proof and is in extremely fine condition. Drum carrier finish turning to a rough, powdery scale but black leather padding on interior of hinged portion still in fine condition and completely serviceable. Drum carrying handle turning a smooth brown patina, comfortable in the hand. Mechanics are fine. Bore has strong shiny rifling, dark in grooves with some pitting. Bolt face is extremely fine. Spare bolt face also extremely fine. Fully transferable Curio and Relic examples of this gun are exceptionally scarce in the NFA registry. If anyone ever wanted a German MG 15 machine gun this is about as complete and fine conditioned a specimen as one could ever hope to find. 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 & RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2019-10-196.
Accessories
4 double drum mags, accessories