1029 VERY RARE JAPANESE TYPE 92 LEWIS AIRCRAFT MACHINE

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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 7,500.00 USD
Estimated at 15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
GUN. Cal. 7.7mm Rimmed. S# 378-45. 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. This example has no sights present. 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". Larger, elongated trigger guard. Single pistol grip at rear of action, wrapped in leather. Other markings include an anchor below serial number. Receiver is marked on bottom, to the rear of the ejection port "REBUILT BY P VOGLER / CARBONDALE ILL CAL 7.7MM". While the NFA Registry reflects this gun is chambered in 7.7MM, as well as this marking, it is important to note that many of these Navy Japanese Aircraft Lewis Guns were ordered in, and remained chambered in .303 British, which is dimensionally very similar in size. MAGS: 1 steel 97 rd. pan. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Several small parts in plastic bin labeled ".303 Lewis Parts / British / Japanese". Includes 2 spare gears, 1 spare bolt, & assorted small parts. CONDITION: Finish is complete & consistent. w/ remarkable coverage. Markings are all clear, most highlighted white, and easy to read. Pan magazine appears equally clean. Bright bore w/ strong rifling. Fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand, though recoil spring feels extremely light when returning bolt into battery. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Brian Linde. (03-1813/JZ). MODERN. CLASS III. $15,000-25,000.