2443

**FRENCH HOTCHKISS MODEL 1897 DEWAT ON OMNIBUS TRIPOD (C & R).

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
**FRENCH HOTCHKISS MODEL 1897 DEWAT ON OMNIBUS TRIPOD (C & R).
SN 635. Cal 8mm Lebel. 31-1/2" bbl. Early low serial number DEWAT French Hotchkiss machine gun on 1915 French OMNIBUS tripod. No flash hider. Dated 1907. All parts appear to be matching numbers including the bbl. Action is frozen in forward position. Bbl is welded shut at the muzzle. Bbl is of the early type with the reinforced bolster at the muzzle with no provision for screw on flash hider. Trigger operates freely. Gas cyl nut is removable. Gas piston is present. Detent pins are welded in place to prevent disassembly. Unable to check chamber and bolt due to this condition. There are four drilled holes on the right side of the receiver, perhaps for some kind of a plate which is now missing. This weapon is currently unserviceable. Traverse and elevation on tripod operates very smoothly. A nice display piece. PROVENANCE: Recently deaccessioned from the Rochester Museum & Science Center Collection. CONDITION: Overall finish is 90% under a coating of hardened black grease with some corrosion spots on the gas block, brass parts untouched and in good orig condition. Rear sight operates properly. Tripod mechanism operates properly. Tripod is in orig paint and in good condition.†† 4-47149 JWK2