^Lot 1009 VSM VICKERS MG WITH FLUTED BARREL JACKET.

Cal. .303. S# H2862. Bbl. 28”. Originally referred to as the Vickers Maxim, this gun 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. They were at one time available w/ two different water jackets, the more common smooth side Maxim type, & a corrugated style. This example is of the latter design. They were available in both ground gun & in aircraft gun variants. All exposed steel surfaces are finished in a nice matching dark black. The dark hardwood spade grips have steel oil caps that include conceal oil brushes. 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 2600 with a flip-up battle sight for close range combat. Several parts w/ numbers matching the sideplate including barrel jacket & lower front trunnion. Multiple parts stamped "VSM". Paperwork indicated the caliber as .303 though the feed block is marked "Cal. 7.9" w/ a chamber appearing to be 8mm Mauser as well. CONDITION: external metal surfaces on gun are an even, dark matte finish. Receiver coverage is very complete and consistent with very few blemishes of any kind, even under close inspection. Barrel jacket sports the typical patina blended in w/ finish where it's thinned on the higher surfaces of the flutes. Dark hardwood spade grips are completely typical of normal dings & impressions with a nice even finish. Oil brush caps are both intact & thread freely in & out of grips. Fire control mechanism moves smoothly & appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. Bore illustrates strong rifling w/ frosting in grooves. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. (03-1625/JZ). MODERN CLASS III. $12,000-18,000.