Lot #1379
Lot #1381

Lot 1380: New England Firearms Co - BAR 1918A2

World War II Browning Designed M1918A2 Fully Automatic Class III/NFA C&R Registered Automatic Rifle Manufactured by New England Small Arms Corp.

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: September 8, 2018

Lot 1380: New England Firearms Co - BAR 1918A2

World War II Browning Designed M1918A2 Fully Automatic Class III/NFA C&R Registered Automatic Rifle Manufactured by New England Small Arms Corp.

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: September 8, 2018

Estimated Price: $20,000 - $30,000

World War II Browning Designed M1918A2 Fully Automatic Class III/NFA C&R Registered Automatic Rifle Manufactured by New England Small Arms Corp.

Manufacturer: New England Firearms Co
Model: BAR 1918AZ
Type: Machine gun
Gauge: 30-06
Barrel: 24 inch round
Finish: parkerized
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 13610
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 179
Class: Class III
Description:

This is an example of a desirable late WWII M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) design manufactured by the New England Small Arms Corp. The original design of this rifle was developed by John Browning in 1917 to meet the requirements for a man-portable fully-automatic rifle for the infantry. These BARs played a significant role on all the major battlefields during WWII, Korea and even into Vietnam. This weapon is another extremely successful design by John Browning, that was exceptionally well-made, robust and functioned flawlessly. During WWII, these weapons were manufactured by IBM and the New England Small Arms Corp. This specific BAR is a WWII model manufactured in the later M1918A2 configuration, which allowed the rifle to be fired in at slow rate of fire by rotating the selector lever to "F" for the 350 rounds per minute or moving the lever to the "A" for full automatic. This example also has the barrel mounted bipod with the flat feet and the high impact black plastic resin/fiberglass buttstock with the hinged buttplate. This example has an open (no-prong) flash hider. The front end of the barrel is marked "N.E./Ordnance Bomb/6-44" indicating manufacture in June 1944. The top of the receiver is marked as follows: "BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE/U.S. CAL. .30 M 1918 A2/MAN'F'D. BY. N.E. SMALL ARMS CORP./587874/-PATENT APPLIED FOR-". There is also a small ordnance bomb proof on top of the barrel along with a "P" proof on the front edge of the receiver, that has been overstamped with "RA/W S". This rifle is also fitted with the late pattern rear sight that is graduated from 200-1,500 yards and is fully adjustable for windage and elevation with a blade front sight. It is complete with an original bipod and one 20-round magazine. Unusual in that when you look into the ejection port there is a larger number (B90822E) stamped on the back side of the receiver.

Rating Definition:

Very fine as arsenal refurbished with 99% of a late gray parkerized finish overall showing only very light handle marks. The buttstock and walnut forend are both in excellent condition. A really top condition WWII Browning Arms Model 1918A2 fully automatic rifle. 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.



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