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**COLT MODEL MG52-A WATER COOLED 50 CAL MG ON GROUND TRIPOD. (C&R)

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
**COLT MODEL MG52-A WATER COOLED 50 CAL MG ON GROUND TRIPOD. (C&R)
SN C2239W. Cal. 50. 36" bbl. This beautiful 50 cal water cooled MG comes mounted on a WWII tripod manufactured by Central Steel Tube Co in 1942. This is a commercial gun with a "C" prefix to SN and has a bronze muzzle gland, water drain cap and water filler cap. This gun appears to have all orig vintage internal parts. Backplate handles are of a hard brown composite. There is a small letter "P" on both the right and left sideplates just below the feed opening. Although the bbl muzzle is threaded, there is no attachment present. The tripod, pintle & traverse and elevation mechanism all appear to be WWII vintage. The action functions smoothly when operated by hand. This weapon appears to be fully functional. This weapon was orig designed to bring down observation balloons but soldiers quickly realized it was highly effective against aircraft. PROVENANCE: Collection of Carl "Bill" Morrison. Consignor states this gun was at one time used by British forces. CONDITION: Overall condition appears extremely fine with no dents or anything other than some slight handling marks to the water jacket, which has a nice brown patina. This same nice brown patina is on the rest of the arm with some thinning to the finish right near the hinge pin of top cover and on the top of the water jacket about mid-way between the trunnion and the muzzle. Rear water filler cap has a brass chain, as does front steam hose cap. Water drain plug is missing bakelite thumbpiece, however the metal retaining pins are intact. Adjustable rear sight flips up and down completely freely, indicating spring is either missing or broken. Bore could use a cleaning but is shiny on the lans and has crisp strong rifling. Bolt face is extremely fine, as are all of the internals. Bolt is also marked with "P" and assembly number "C-4065-23-B". Tripod has a brass plate indicating "CAL 50 M3" and has a nice even brown patina throughout. Both tripod and gun are covered in a light oil with dust mixed in from years of setting. Examples in this condition are extremely scarce. 4-48653 JWK11