1021 EXTREMELY COMPLETE VS&M VICKERS MACHINE GUN WITH

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 08 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 6,000.00 USD
Estimated at 12,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
FLUTED BARREL JACKET WITH PLETHORA OF PARTS & ACCESSORIES. Cal. .303. S# H2561. Bbl. 28". The Vickers Machine Gun was originally referred to as the Vickers Maxim. It was adopted by Great Britain in 1912. It remained a principal machine gun through WWI & WWII until being replaced by the "L7A1 GPMG" in the 1960s. Though they were at one time available w/ two different water jackets, a corrugated style & the more traditional smooth side Maxim type, this gun is of the corrugated style. They were available in both ground gun & in aircraft gun variants. This example appears to be a Portuguese contract gun, as it is marked FBT on the right side of the receiver. All exposed steel surfaces are finished in a nice matching dark black, pleasantly accented by the traditional brass parts including the water jacket plugs, the feed block and the left-side scope mount as well as the traditional tripod. The beautiful hardwood spade grips have steel oil caps that include the oil brushes in matching black steel. This example comes w/ a standard brass & steel ground tripod. Tripod has steel legs w/ the rear most measuring 26" in length and the front legs measure 22" in length. All three legs are adj. for height and/or configuration and places the bottom of the receiver to rest at approximately 29" from the ground. The tripod's steel cradle locks into the 360° marked brass portion of the tripod, which is elevated an additional 7" above the legs of the tripod. The elevation mechanism utilizes a steel wheel for micro adjustments while traversing freely. The entire tripod is currently painted green, aside from the brass traverse portion, which retains its natural finish with degree marks and numbers painted black. This Vickers is equipped w/ iron sights which consist of a protective blade front sight forward of the water jacket & an elevation adj. rear peep sight marked in meters from 0 to 2,600 with a flip-up battle sight for close range combat. It is sporting the correct brass scope mount on the left side marked "Bracket, Dial Sight, MK II" on top. Mount sporting MKII Dial sight. Current configuration appears to be 7.62x54R and also includes many parts necessary to convert to 8mm Mauser. BATF Registry indicates manufacturer as "VS&M" w/ the originally listed caliber as .303 British. MAGS: 1 cloth belt with brass tabs and eyelets. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Brass belt filling machine (partially complete), Australian No. 8 Mk. 1 belt box w/ leather straps, MK II Dial Sight in green steel box w/ accessories, 2 spare feed blocks labeled 8mm, 1 spare lock assembly, appears to be .303 British, 1 MKI Flash Eliminator, 1 MKI Foresight Deflection Bar in tan canvas case, 1 Steam Hose, & 1 Slide Rule for .303 MK VIII ammo. CONDITION: Finish on receiver external metal surfaces enjoy nice coverage for such an early example, ranging from full to thin w/ some gentle patina under close inspection. Most significant thinning is in areas of mechanical intervention. Coverage on fluted barrel jacket very complete and consistent with some thinning on high spots as would be expected. Brass feed block and scope mount are very nice w/ natural coloring. Hardwood spade grips are surprisingly free of normal dings & impressions with a brown painted finish. Steel oil brush caps are both intact & thread freely in & out of grips. Tripod legs move freely and steel portions retain some of an earlier green painted finish. Brass parts retain their natural finish & staining. Brass plate on riser still retains clear markings and cradle rotates smoothly. Fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. Bore is bright w/ strong rifling. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Brian Linde. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. (03-1831/JZ). CURIO. CLASS III. $12,000-20,000.