This is an excellent, very rare example of an early post WWII M3-AC (basic aircraft version MG) originally manufactured by Springfield Armory (the U.S. Government facility) in 1949. This is noted as being only "1 of 1500" receivers actually manufactured by Springfield Armory circa 1949/50. This M3-AC version was later converted into the very desirable M2 50 Cal HB ground mounted Infantry Model. Anyone that has been in the military or watched a good war movie will readily recognize the famous "Ma-Deuce" M2 HB MG. This model was originally developed by John Browning in the late 1920s and has been used in every major battle by all U.S. Forces and countless allies since the post WWI time frame. It has been mounted and used in a multitude of roles and used by soldiers even today in the Iraqi/Afghanistan wars. This specific example was manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1949, as an M3-AC version that has been extensively remanufactured into the M2 HB. This rework entails the replacement of the front barrel trunion and barrel jacket, the conversion of the rear back plate from an electronic fired model into a spade grip model, then installing the correct reversible belt feed mechanism and heavy M2 barrel. The side of the receiver still retains its original U.S. Government markings of: "U.S. NO. 2133919 GVT. INSP./MACHINE GUN CAL .50-M3-AC-BASIC/MANUFACTURED BY/SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 50/SPRINGFIELD MASS." followed by two lines of patent numbers. This complete lot is accompanied by a real M3 tripod that is marked: MOUNT TRIPOD/Cal. 50 M3.NO. 151952/ANAD 2-74", a M2 H barrel, a spare M2 spade grip back plate, an original M3 back plate, 1000ea .50 Cal links (still in the original boxes), pintle adapter, T&E mechanism, a headspace & timing gauge, and four cloth ammunition belts. This lot also includes a 50 cal steel ammunition can that contains a spare M3 lightweight bolt, ruptured shell extractor, flash hider, M12 hand held .50 Cal M2 belt loader, cleaning brush, spare extractor/feed pawls and some small pins and springs, as well as a custom storage and transport case for the receiver. Includes two additional OD green .50 BMG barrels, one of which is marked "SA" with a 1919 pattern perforated heat shield. While the second barrel is a standard M2 .50 cal heavy barrel.

Very fine with 98% of its current parkerized finish overall with edge and high spot wear, with some signs of limited firing. The markings are clear and sharp. The various accessories are all in very fine condition. Just an excellent example of a very rare original U.S. Government Springfield Armory M3-AC machine gun converted into the very desirable M2 HB configuration. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.