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FULLY TRANSFERRABLE M1917A1 BROWNING MG.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 11,000.00 USD
FULLY TRANSFERRABLE M1917A1 BROWNING MG.
Cal. 30-06. S# 310216. Bbl. 24". The 1917A1 water cooled MG is an iconic part of any WWI through Korean War scenery as viewed from the lens of a war photographer; In movies & in photographs, the 1917 could be seen mounted on vehicles or ground mounts. The 1917 was an evolution of John Browning’s original design that would continue to be improved upon & have lineage into firearms that are still in use today such as the M2HB. The original 1917, through its heavy use, illustrated few weaknesses which were addressed in the M1917A1 & included the fitting of a new lower plate, an upgraded belt feed lever, an improved top cover latch assembly plus an updated, graduated leaf sight that would be suitable for the M1906 ball ammo. As additional data was collected, especially during heavy use in WWII, there were several further upgrades that continued the evolution to the M1917A1 (including sight modification for the later .30 M2 ball ammunition). This example was mfg. by Rock Island Arsenal & later registered by Douglas Oefinger; a well known title II firearms manufacturer. All external metal components are parkerized & the steel water jacket w/ brass endcaps has been finished to perfectly match receiver. Spade grips are also parkerized w/ attractive hardwood handles. Rear sight graduated ladder/peep w/ microadj. to 2600 yds. Front sight is hooded blade. An important M1917A1 modification was that the top cover incorporates a detent where it could be held in the open position w/ out manual support & is correct on this particular example. Threaded water plugs on bbl. jacket are present & functional, as well as front lower cork assembly. It sits upon a 1917A1 tripod w/ cradle assembly, fully adj. for traverse & elevation. Markings on right side plate include “No. 310216 U.S. INSP w/ Ordnance department proof mark (cross cannons) F.K. / BROWNING MACHINE GUN / U.S. CAL. .30 M1917A1 / MANFD. BY ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL / PATENT 1,621,476 / DOUGLAS L. OEFINGER STAMFORD CT U.S.A.”. Brass data plate on rear tripod leg reads “NO. 276111”, however aging has affected the clarity of the number itself. It continues “MOUNT, TRIPOD / M1917A1 / LAMSON, 1942 / R.L.B.”. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 steam hoses w/ correct coupling. 1 Approx. 6’ in length, the other approx. 3’. Steel water can stenciled “CHEST, WATER, MI”. Appropriate wood ammo crate, suitable for cradle mounting length of belted, expended blanks for display. CONDITION: It appears this firearm spent most of its time as a static display piece; to reinforce this theory, there is a small pin that engages the trigger while utilizing the spade grips which has been removed rendering it inoperable. It has very few normal handling or wear marks & the finish is complete plus consistent throughout. Hardwood grips have few normal impressions & grain irregularities, though no apparent structural issues. Tripod painted an O.D. Green variant w/ all areas displaying numbers cleaned or highlighted. All aspects of tripod including microadj. in T&E are smooth & tight. Paint coverage is complete; the majority of any thinning is in areas of mechanical intervention. Leather strap still present at data plate. Fire control mechanism appears to function properly when cycled by hand, though the spade grip trigger pin is absent & must be replaced in order to fire with the spade grips. Bore is shiny w/ strong rifling. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. (03-1466/JZ). MODERN CLASS III. $7,000-11,000.