Browning .30 Machine Gun (deactivated for sale) Derbyshire

[Fugly]

Hi

I have a Browning .30 Machine gun (Deactivated) for sale. It is a 1919A4 (FLEXIBLE) version, it cocks and dry fires, it can be stripped down (Bolt and trigger assy) . Good condition (Does Not have a tripod). From the stampings it looks to have been modified over the years from a L3A2 TO AN L3A4

The downside is the the top cover hinge bolt is missing but I assume spares are available. It was deactivated in 1999. It does have a certificate. Not sure of the value, have seen them at shows with a tripod for over £1000, but this one lacks a tripod and needs the top cover pivot bolt, so that reduces the price, however it is not a welded up mess and can be partially stripped and cocked etc. My mobile number is 07866 367059. best offer secures. Cheers

Best offer secures ?

[Chris Hall]

Why do I never have the money at the right time!

[ferrettkitt]

I would like it myself but I'm slightly skint

[montie]

It would be a worthy addition to the sarry, too sad about funding it!

[Fugly]

I have done some more research on the .30 , Buffalo Arms were a wartime manufacturer, and all the part numbers for each part seem correct.

It has a crossed cannon prood mark and a letter "P" on the bolt etc (proof mark).

[Topdog]

Has it been deactivated and does it have a certificate? It does seem to strip too far for a deac. Have just read title properly..............

[commander]

It strips the same as mine so it should be ok
Commander

[Chris Hall]

I'd like it because its a L3A2 to 4 to 3E1 conversion. It fires from a open bolt rather than the closed bolt of the 1919A4.

[Fugly]

The Browning does have a cert. And sadly its now SOLD !! However before selling it I have done some research after someone told me it may have been made from parts . I am interested in research , and in the spirit of fair play I wanted to make sure it was in order before I let it be dragged from my clutches by the new ( Lucky) owner !

It is a genuine wartime manufactured Browning .30 , made by Buffalo arms . It has a cast latch cover (from what I can gather they were intoduced about 1942. The bottom plate has 42 stamped on it and all the internals are coded , and the codes seem all correct compare to the the mountain of info on the Browing site.

The top cover is forged (not cast) so its not post war israeli. The right plate has the famous “Crossed Cannons” Ordnance Corps escutcheon proof mark, with the inspectors initials. The bolt, right side plate and other parts have a "P" proof mark also.

The engraving seems correct , but does have a line through it, and the gun was given a new code to denote the gun had been up modified with an "open sear" conversion. The handle is cast aluminium grips screwed to the backplate grip, with a T & E clip on the bottom . It all seems to add up to be an honest gun.

If anyone wants to know more about this great gun please see http://m1919tech.com

However if you are a browning novice like me its best avoided as it may lead to hours of enjoyable browsing. Just to underline the fact that the gun is now sold.

[Chris Hall]

Its deffo not a parts gun, a Buffalo Arms produced A4 is a scarce item alone, and then to find one converted to L3 spec is quite rare. Its only the second L3 I've seen deactivated (I bought the first from the tank museum) as most were chopped up by HM Government. The pistol grip is a 1917A1 water cooled grip converted for use on the 1919A4 by adding the cast ally section, this is quite common for 1940 to 43 produced guns.