1012 JAPANESE TYPE 92 AIRCRAFT DEWAT LEWIS MG.

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 03 @ 10:22UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Cal. 7.7mm Rimmed. S# 2480. Bbl. 26". Mfg. 1943. Open bolt, gas operated machine gun, fed from a 97 round pan magazine. First adopted by the Japanese in 1932 & utilized in both the Army & Navy. Originally introduced as the Type 91 Navy Aircraft Machine Gun. When production began in 1932, there was a high percentage of parts that were actually interchangeable w/ the British Lewis Gun. The most obvious difference between the Japanese & the British Lewis is the left side position of the charging handle on the Japanese gun, where it was positioned on the right by the British. It utilizes a leather wrapped single spade grip positioned at the rear of the receiver, which doubles as an oil reserve, hosting a long brush beneath the threaded steel cover. The trigger mechanism is located forward of a single pistol grip located below the action inside an elongated trigger guard. The sights are unique to the aircraft guns, consisting of a rear mounted circle, measuring 3" in diameter w/ a smaller circle in the center & wires running through the center, much like a traditional crosshair. The front sight is a tall post. Unlike many traditional Lewis guns, there is no large, round barrel jacket, or radiator on the Aircraft variant, but just an exposed barrel & gas tube, much like a typical Japanese machine gun. The finish on all exposed metal parts is a dark black mixed w/ traditional bluing. Several Japanese markings on barrel shroud & receiver, highlighted in white and easy to read, not so easy to translate. Some receiver markings, below top mounted drum translated to; "AIKAWA NAVY ENGINEERING EDITION / TYPE92 7.7 / SWOWA YEAR 18". Other markings include an anchor below serial number. MAGS: 1 steel 97 rd. pan. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIED: Small pedestal mounted on 6"x6" board for display. CONDITION: Finish is complete & consistent. w/ remarkable coverage. Markings are all clear, most highlighted white, and easy to read. Pan magazine appears equally clean. Barrel is slugged w/ steel rod, though dewat process appears to have been done meticulously so as not to affect other internals. Fire control mechanism appears to function smoothly & correctly when cycled by hand. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT DEWAT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE.(03-1631/JZ). CURIO CLASS III. $8,000-12,000.