1001 RARE, FULLY TRANSFERABLE, ORIGINAL HIGH STANDARD

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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 25,000.00 USD
Estimated at 50,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
M2HB 50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN WITH TRIPOD. CURIO. Cal. 50 BMG. S# 003477. Bbl. 45". The Browning M2HB, affectionately referred to in military circles as "Ma Duece" is another evolution of the successful John Browning designed, recoil operated & belt fed guns that populated the battlefields following WWI. In an effort to build a gun that was comparable to the French 11mm Hotchkiss, w/ a primary purpose of deflating observation balloons & disabling aircraft, the .50 BMG was designed and introduced for the M1921A1, which was quickly modified & reintroduced as the M2. Barrel heating issues would lead to the heavy barrel version that we now know as the M2HB. There were several manufacturers of the M2HB including High Standard, best known today for their high end, accurate .22 pistols. This beautiful example has a parkerized finish on all exterior surfaces. Hooded front sight blade w/ coinciding rear ladder sight adjustable to 2600 meters. 10" ventilated barrel shroud. Spade grips w/ "butterfly" thumb trigger. Manufacturers markings on right sideplate clean & crisp. Right sideplate marked: "U.S. NO. 2045460 GVT. INSP. / BROWNING MACHINE GUN CAL. .50 M2 / MANUFACTURED BY / THE HIGH STANDARD MFG. CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A." w/ patent block. Gun currently rests on an original M3 tripod, manufactured in 1944 by the Central Steel Tube Company. Data plate still intact, marked as follows; "NO. 159958 ACR / MOUNT, TRIPOD / CAL. .50. M3 / CENTRAL STEEL TUBE CO. 1944". MAGS: 22 tan & green cloth belts of varying lengths. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Military M7 Linking / Delinking Machine, 1 spare bolt, 1 spare barrel, 1 spare set of wood for spade grips & charging handle, 1 spare muzzle booster, 5 spare recoil springs, 2 cleaning rod sets (1 new, unopened), 3 different armorers wrenches, 3 original canvas bags for Tripod mount, 1 for spent casings, & 1 accessory pouch. CONDITION: Finish on exposed metal surfaces complete & consistent. Finish is as nice n any original M2HB this cataloger has seen. Hardwood spade grips & charging handle in nice condition, w/ some typical impressions. Tripod moves as intended, smooth & fluidly, & T&E mechanism is tight & smooth. Some scattered staining & patina on leg surfaces, which appear to be of original finish. Markings on right sideplate are clear, crisp & easy to read, currently highlighted in white. Bores are bright on both barrels, w/ strong rifling. Fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Brian Linde. (03-1812/JZ). CURIO CLASS III. $50,000-80,000.