Updated May 2025

At Rock Island Auction Company, we see some rare, unusual, and downright awesome machine guns that pass through our doors. To demonstrate the impressive price increases across the machine gun field and to avoid repetition, each entry on this list represents the highest price its respective model/genre has achieved at Rock Island Auction Company.

11A: An Early Production Colt/Armalite Model 01 AR-15: $94,000 (May 2025)

We'll start with a couple of noteworthy runner-ups. First, we have an extremely early production Colt/Armalite Model 01 AR-15 selective fire rifle with its original shipping box and bayonet. The first commercial model of the original Army/Air Force designated M16 rifle, manufactured in the first contract run circa between 1960 and 1962, this example is in exceptional condition and includes the early original green plastic handguards, buttstock and pistol grip and the first pattern (M16 type) upper receiver without the forward assist.

An early production Colt/Armalite Model 01 AR-15 selective fire rifle with original shipping box and bayonet sold for $94,000 in May 2025 at RIAC.

11B: Ramo M2HB Browning Heavy Machine Gun: $94,000 (May 2023)

A descendant of Browning's 1917 HMG, the development of the M2 was first prompted by the emergence of armored aircraft among German forces in World War I. Development continued after Browning's passing in 1926, and in 1933 the M2 platform was adopted by the U.S. armed forces.

In service to this day, the air-cooled M2HB has been used in a wide spectrum of roles on sea, air and land, from as fundamental as an infantry heavy machine gun, as rarified as the main armament of top-of-the-line fighter aircraft, to as oddball as being used as a sniper rifle; the famed Carlos Hathcock used a scoped M2 to set a confirmed kill record in Vietnam that wouldn't be beaten until the War on Terror, and still holds a spot on the top 10 as of this writing. The M2 famously gained the affectionate handle “Ma Deuce” from the troops who relied on Browning’s .50 caliber behemoth to protect themselves and their company.  

This Ramo M2HB Browning heavy machine gun with a tripod and extra barrel sold for a stunning $94,000 in RIAC's May 2023 Premier Auction.

11C: World War II German MG34 Medium Machine Gun: $94,000 (May 2024)

The German MG34, invented by Heinrich Vollmer of Mauser, demonstrates the machine gun's status as one of the most versatile weapons of WW2. Filling the role of both a light and heavy machine gun, the MG34 allowed for rapid tactical movement from a bipod, support fire from a sturdy folding tripod, as well as providing an ideal option for vehicle use such as a coaxial weapon in German tank turrets. All told, the complete example of Germany's fearsome machine gun platform pictured below earned a noteworthy $94,000 when the dust settled.

This MG34 machine gun realized $94,000 in May of 2024 with RIAC.

10. Factory Original HK MP5A3: $99,875 (May 2025)

One of the definitive close combat weapons of the late 20th century, the Heckler & Koch MP5 is the pistol caliber iteration of H&Ks closely interlinked family of roller-delay operated weaponry, and was a go-to weapon for a laundry list of military, police, and protective units, including a veritable who's-who of the "operator" community.

Rock Island Auction Company's May 2025 Premier Auction offered several variants of the platform, including a factory original MP5A3. Recently reclassified as fully transferable, this example of the iconic platform included a factory original sear trip, five magazines, and a two-position telescoping buttstock, among other desirable features. A true unicorn in the collecting market, it's no surprise that this example achieved such a lofty price point.

This factory original MP5A3 blasted its way onto the top ten list in May 2025.

9A. U.S. Winchester 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle: $105,750 (May 2023)

The Browning Automatic Rifle, or BAR, was a signature weapon for generations of American GIs, seeing action in both world wars and Korea. The gun was introduced in World War 1 too late to have a significant impact. The BAR was John Moses Browning’s take on “walking fire,” the term given to a standard infantryman laying down covering fire as troops crossed “no man’s land.”

The BAR, brought to production by Colt, was chambered in the stout .30-06. Colt already had too many manufacturing contracts for World War 1 so production was passed off to Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Marlin-Rockwell Corporation. More than 50,000 were made by the end of World War 1. Thanks to its exceptional condition, the U.S. Colt Model 1918 pictured above joined the ranks of most expensive machine guns sold at RIAC.

John Moses Browning envisioned his Browning Automatic Rifle as the best weapon for walking fire, or providing covering fire while advancing against the enemy.

9B. J.C. Benjamin M60: $105,750 (May 2025)

The M60 is one of the most recognizable weapons to come out of the Vietnam War. Nicknamed the “pig,” it was carried by GIs, but also mounted on Huey helicopters, and gunboats. It is only fitting that it ties with the BAR since it was the gun to replace it in the Arsenal of Democracy.

The gun went into widespread service in Vietnam in 1965 and has developed a reputation as one of America's most famous guns. The six-figure example below was manufactured by Jonathan Benjamin of Portland, Oregon, using a combination of commercial and military surplus components.

A J.C. Benjamin M60 belt fed general purpose machine gun in "E4/Mk43" configuration sold for $105,750 in RIAC's May 2025 Premier Auction.

9C. Law Enforcement Shipped Colt Model 1921/1928 U.S. Navy Overstamp Thompson Submachine Gun: $105,750 (May 2024)

Thompson submachine guns, known as the Tommy gun, "Chicago typewriter," "rat-tat-tat", "trench broom," and an assortment of other colorful nicknames, are always popular items at Rock Island Auction Company.

According to Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun Serial Numbers and Histories," the U.S. Navy overstamp example pictured below was shipped to the Sheriff's Office of Effingham County, Illinois at an unrecorded date. The iconic American SMG wowed the audience of RIAC's May 2024 Premier Auction, knocking previously sold Tommy guns off the most expensive machine gun list by breaking the six-figure barrier and achieving $105,750.

An outstanding, documented law enforcement shipped 1921/1928 U.S. Navy overstamp Tommy gun broke the six figure barrier at RIAC in May of 2024 and reached an impressive $105,750.

8. Early Original Colt Model R80 "Monitor" Fully Automatic Machine Gun: $115,000 (December 2018)

This is an exceptionally rare early Colt Model R80 Monitor, fully automatic, C&R registered machine gun. This was an early 1920s version of the Colt Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) that was produced and sold in very limited numbers to various law enforcement agencies, mainly out East.

This exceptionally rare early original Colt Model R80 "Monitor" fully automatic machine gun sold in December of 2018 at Rock Island Auction Company for $115,000.

It was basically an improved and slightly redesigned version of the original Browning design that incorporated a small pistol grip on the rear of the lower receiver for better handling, in lieu of a pistol grip type buttstock, a shorter forend, and a slightly shorter barrel (only 18.5 inch) making it easier to handle as well as a redesigned three position gas regulator/plug and a completely new and redesigned muzzle break/flash hider.

A closer look at the unique muzzle break/flash hider found on this Colt R80 Monitor machine gun that sold in 2018 at Rock Island Auction Company.

A worthy entry on our list of most expensive machine guns, this high condition, very rare, and early Colt Model R80/Monitor sold for $115,000 during the December Premier Firearms Auction at Rock Island Auction Company in 2018.

7. Armalite AR-18 Prototype, Serial Number "X001": $117,500 (August 2024)

Manufactured by Armalite in Costa Mesa, California, this rare AR-18 rifle shows a number of features that set it apart from the majority of AR-18 production. The receiver lacks provisions for a dust cover or scope block, the guide rod assembly terminates in a single hook instead of the spring-loaded retention mechanism seen on later production, and the bolt carrier is grooved down the right side and lacks the "keyed" charging handle slot to fit the later "bent" charging handle.

This fantastic AR-18 is featured in an article titled 'The Lost Armalites' in the July 1998 (Volume 1 Number 10) issue of Small Arms Review, where it receives a full page photo spread on page 47 detailing early features such as the aforementioned bolt carrier configuration and the weapon's mechanisms for securing the stock, which used with a spring catch on the underside of the stock to release from the "open" position, and a round stud (with no spring retention) to secure the stock in the "closed" position.

This rare prototype Armalite AR-18 selective fire fifle, Serial Number "X001", sold at RIAC for $117,500 in August of 2024.

6. World War 2 German “cra” Code MG42: $129,250 (May 2022)

Known as “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” and “Hitler’s Zipper,” The German MG42 was a signature weapon of World War 2 and one of the best infantry weapons of the war, blending portability and intense firepower. The gun could spit up to 1,200 rounds per minute, giving it a distinct and intimidating sound, unlike those heard by Allied soldiers who trained to slower-firing weapons. The West German armed forces continued to use the gun after the war, in a rechambered to NATO-standard cartridges. Alongside the FG-42, It was an inspiration for the M60.

The MG42 entered production in 1942, intended to supplement and replace the more expensive to produce the earlier MG34. Made of inexpensive parts, the MG42 also proved to be more reliable and resistant to jamming than its predecessor. The gun was so fearsome that the U.S. War Department produced a film to lessen the weapon’s psychological effect on soldiers. The film’s narrator further assures his naïve audience that the MG-42 isn’t as scary as it sounds, and closes with, “Its bark is worse than its bite.”

One of the most expensive machine guns from an incredibly desirable genre, this MG42 shot past its estimate and sold for $129,250 in May of 2022.

5. Johnson Automatics M1941 Light Machine Gun: $141,000 (December 2023)

American inventor Melvin Maynard Johnson Jr. pitched the M1941 as a squad automatic rifle that could serve in numerous battlefield roles, including being fired from the shoulder when necessary. The Johnson M1941 placed the physical characteristics of a light machine gun into a shorter frame and used a full-power rifle cartridge.

Like the German FG-42, the M1941 Johnson employed a front-mounted bipod and a side-mounted horizontal box magazine, and the FG-42 and both guns used an open-bolt system when set to automatic and a closed-bolt when switched to semi-automatic mode. The Johnson Automatic M1941 LMG was accepted as a substitute weapon by the United States Marine Corps due to a shortage of BARs in the early days of WW2. Today, the comparative rarity of the platform makes the Johnson Automatic M1941 one of the most expensive machine guns on the market.

Among the scarcest to find for collectors, this Johnson Automatic M1941 soared to a final price of $141,000 with RIAC this December.

4. World War II Haenel Manufactured M.Kb.42(H) Assault Rifle: $161,000 (April 2016)

Grandfather of the German assault rifles, which in turn gave rise to all other assault rifles, the M.Kb.42 holds a special place in the history of firearms development. Every nation in the world that currently uses a carbine length rifle with an intermediate cartridge owes it their thanks. With development beginning as far back as 1935, it was the German Army’s answer for a gun with higher capacity than their standard bolt actions, a longer range than their submachine guns such as the MP-40, but without the unnecessary long range capability as the full power 7.92x57mm rifle round.

Few battles were fought beyond 300 yards, thus the 8mm Mauser rounds, so necessary in the trench warfare of the Great War, were now not as practical, adding extra weight and reducing weapon controllability. Enter the maschinenkarabiner 1942. Firing the newly developed 7.92×33 Kurz round it was too short for bayonet fighting, lacked the required accuracy for sniping, and was too weak to fire a rifle grenade. However, it excelled at accurate, controllable fully-automatic fire for the distances most commonly found in firefights, could provide covering fire like a machine gun, and could outreach the Russian submachine guns, and thus became a favorite for front line troops to whom it was issued. Only 10,700 were made with many being lost on the Eastern front. It would go on to see further developments as the MP-43, MP-44, and eventually the StG-44.

This rifle is one of the rarest and most desirable of all the WWII MP43/44 series of fully automatic weapons we have had the opportunity to sell. The M.Kb.42(H) is truly the grandfather of the German Assault rifles, and also for any follow-on assault designs produced after WWII to include the vaunted AK47. Consequently, this would be a pivotal piece in any advanced WWII German or military assault rifle collection and is probably one of a handful of legal fully registered, and fully transferable M.Kb.42 (H) available for sale. A high-condition, extremely rare early production C. G. Haenel Mk(b) 42 (H) assault rifle, this rifle sold for $161,000 at the April Premier Firearms Auction at Rock Island Auction Company in 2016.

This super rare and fully automatic German Haenel manufactuered M.Kb.42(H) assault rifle sold in April of 2016 for $161,000 at Rock Island Auction Company's April Premier Firearms Auction.

3. DLO M58 Belt Fed Machine Gun: $264,375 (May 2025)

Developed starting in the late 1940s and released in the 1950s, the MAG (Mitrailleuse d'Appui General, General Purpose Machine Gun) combined tried and tested features from successful WW2 automatic weapons into a versatile and reliable multi-purpose weapon. Adopted by numerous countries, the MAG and its licensed and unlicensed copies remain mainstay weapons around the world.

This DLO has been outfitted in the style of the U.S. M240B using a combination of commercial production and military surplus components, including an Ohio Ordnance Works top cover and a new made, registered sideplate from DLO Manufacturing. Douglas Lawrence Oefinger and his employees at DLO of Stamford, Connecticut assembled an impressive number of transferable machine guns and sideplates from 1977 to 1986. This American manufactured example of the FN MAG/U.S. M240 machine gun easily broke the six figure barrier and landed a decisive spot on our top 10 machine guns list.

A DLO M58 belt fed machine gun brings a hefty haul.

2A. German Krieghoff FG-42, Type 1: $411,250 (May 2023)

The FG-42 (fallschirmjaegergewehr 42) is almost early enough to take the title as the “Grandfather of the Assault Rifle” away from the M.Kb.42, but its development began just several years after the legendary arm. Taking its name from the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers), the rifle was specially designed for the requirements of the Luftwaffe’s airborne infantry.

It is estimated that only appropriately 5,000 were ever manufactured with most being destroyed after the war. The few surviving intact examples know today demand lofty prices. The phenomenal Type 1 FG-42 rifle pictured above broke RIAC's previous record when it sold for $411,250 in May of 2023.

A rare WW2 three digit serial number Krieghoff FG-42 Type I paratrooper rifle.

2B. Cadillac Gage Stoner 63: $411,250 (May 2025)

One of the many notable products of American arms designer Eugene Stoner (of AR10, M16/AR15, and AR-18/180 fame, among others), the genesis of the 63 was in the early 60s, shortly after his departure from Armalite. Stoner developed a modular weapon system, intended to be capable of a radical degree of customization at the field armorer level, creating a receiver that could be reconfigured rapidly for mission and environment.

Developed with an eye for military sales, the 63/63A was issued on a trial basis in multiple configurations to the United States Marine Corps and select elements of the Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Special Forces operating in Southeast Asia. In May 2025, a Stoner 63 with its bayonet and accessories set the world record for its genre by reaching a stunning $411,250, a testament to the scarcity, desirability, and investment potential enjoyed by this classic Eugene Stoner design.

This Cadillac Gage Stoner 63 modular belt fed machine gun sold at Rock Island Auction Company in May 2025 for $411,250.

1. FN M240B: $470,000 (May 2025)

Reportedly, there are as few as only 11 fully transferable FN M240 general purpose machine guns and approximately 17 "limited" pre-86 dealer samples in the registry, with the remainder in U.S. government property.

For collectors, finding an M240 machine gun for sale is always an exciting event, and Rock Island Auction Company has had the privledge of offering several examples in recent years. In May 2025, an M240B  made a heavy-hitting impact in Bedford, Texas, garnering bids from around the country. Once the dust settled, the titan of machine guns earned a staggering $470,000, positioning the model as one of the most valuable pieces in the arms collecting pursuit.

An M240B general purpose medium machine gun achieved $470,000 in RIAC's May 2025 Premier Auction.

Most Expensive Machine Guns

There you have it, collector friends: the Top 10 Machine Guns ever sold by Rock Island Auction Company. We’ll be sure to update this list from time to time and we shouldn’t have to wait long.

This mighty Inglis Bren Mark II machine gun earned $92,000 in December of 2021 at RIAC, a runner up on our list of top machine guns.

Given their blistering performance in recent years, machine gun prices should be on the radar of every savvy firearms collector, and rising values assure a new crop of machine guns to stake their own claim to this list thanks to an extremely limited pool available, no hope of additional supply, and an expanding interest in the genre.

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Machine gun prices are on the rise at Rock Island Auction Company.

As always, if there are any questions regarding consignment, registration, and future auctions, please contact Rock Island Auction Company. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, we constantly see exciting and amazing machine guns in each one of our auctions, Premier or not. That being said, this list is subject to change to be sure to check back here after every auction for updates.