April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
One of only 3 known specimens which are original and fully transferable in the United States. This is an original German Rheinmettal MG 3 machine gun manufactured in July of 1968 as indicated by the markings on the receiver. This gun surfaced at Knob Creek a number of years ago when its owner walked up to a high profile machine gun dealer and offered it for sale. This dealer remarked at the time that until he saw this gun, he did not think there were any original fully transferable specimens in the National Firearms Act registry. According to this cataloger’s research, there are, in fact, only 3 such original registered fully transferable specimens in the United States. This gun incorporates a flip-up anti-aircraft sight and retains its original standard “squared back” MG-3 bolt, and feed tray designed to accept the clip-on 7.62x51mm assault drums of the era. Buffer is the type designed to be used with the standard bolt within the gun. Butt and grip panels are unmarked attractive hard brown composite. Barrel bears Rheinmettal logo and “7.62X51 vcl 140” and is on “65469” marked extension (matching serial number to gun). Electronic NFA registry indicates “FORM 2 REGISTRATION” as the manufacturer and “MG3” as the model with “7.62” as the caliber. Incoming paper ATF Form indicates “BUNDESAMT W. GERMANY” in the Manufacturer’s/Importer block. PROVENENCE: From the personal collection of a very discerning and advanced machine gun collector who desires to remain anonymous as he draws down his collection. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent original smooth gray finish with only the slightest loss of finish thinning in places. This gun has been shot very little. Near excellent brown hard composite butt is very clean and attractive. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt near excellent. Mechanics are crisp and smooth. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. As one of only 3 such original guns available for private ownership in the United States (and one of the others is unlikely EVER to be offered for sale), this is an exceedingly rare opportunity to add this model to an advanced machine gun collection. It is a landmark piece in the history of development of German machine gun. A fabulous offering for the discerning collector/investor! 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. JWK 2023-4-17
Caliber/Bore
7.62x51mm NATO