Today Ian is back with NFA specialist John Keene of the Morphy Auction Company to talk about US military machine guns. Specifically, how intact and original examples end up in the civilian market. Some models, like the Reising, as very easy to find in completely original condition (almost hard not to, really). Others, like the belt-fed Browning 1917 and 1919 models are very rare in original condition, and are almost always found as parts kits built on newly-registered receivers. What drives these differences?
Antiques
Model 1875 Officer’s Pattern: The Finest Trapdoor Springfield
As the main national armory, Springfield got a number of requests to make specialty rifles for commissioned officers and important dignitaries each year. These were essentially all custom sporting rifles, and the orders were duly […]
Artillery
RIA: Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon Reproduction
The Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon was developed in the 1870s as a competitor to the other manually-operated machine guns of the era, guns like the Gatling, Gardner, and Nordenfelt to name a few. What made the […]
Submachine Guns
Stemple/BRP STG-76 “Heavy Submachine Gun” at the Range
Having spent quite a long time yesterday exploring the origins of the Stemple/BRP STG-76, I figured I should take it out to the range. So, let’s see what sort of groups I can make with […]
Ian, gust curious, it appears that you have a new Watch. What watch do you have?
It’s a Marathon arctic GSAR.
Thank you. Looks nice on you !
Nice watch indeed. Just a bit of experience with these things – not sure if you have a solid billet or one with pins to hold the band. If the latter, you can say “goodbye” at some point to your “rugged” timepiece. I wish Bertucci made a dedicated diving watch but, for the money, I have never done better.
The focus on “collecting opportunities” rings somewhat hollow to someone born in 1986 mere months after the Hughes Amendment. As it stands, I’ll never be able to afford ANY machine guns, and with the current derangement of the ATF and their harassment of FFL’s including family friends, I no longer want a C&R license nor ANY NFA-controlled items.
Interesting comments about 1911’s not returned from Vietnam. My father was combat veteran served in Korea. Was in the Army reserve into the 1960’S. Called up and went to Vietnam in 1968. He was aware of the pistol situation. He purchased two Argentine 1911’s and smuggled them into Vietnam inside th e doors on the two big and slow 10 ton 6X6 trucks they used in convoys. Drivers carried them in shoulder holsters. Used with good effect several times in VC convoy ambush attacks