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**HOTCHKISS MACHINE GUN M1914 8MM LEBEL ON OMNIBUS TRIPOD. (C&R)

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
**HOTCHKISS MACHINE GUN M1914 8MM LEBEL ON OMNIBUS TRIPOD. (C&R)
SN 36936. Cal. 8 mm Lebel. 30-1/2" bbl. This Hotchkiss is dated "1918" on right side of receiver and has brass pistol grip and brass feedblock. This lot includes two feedstrips with orig French 8 mm Lebel ammunition plus one curved Hotchkiss feedstrip marked "JB+2+1916" with orig 90% brass projectiles loaded into their orig unprimed cases marked "RHA Co 2-1917". This was Robin Hood Arms Co ammunition, manufactured in New Hampshire for export to France. The United States supplied great quantities of this boxer primed ammunition to France for WWI. Also included is an extremely scarce segment of orig French 8mm Lebel articulating feedstrip which was used in aircraft and armor applications. This 30 rnd segment of the start of the feedstrip which retains it's starter tab contains 12 live rnds of orig French ammunition and the strip is marked "M.L.S." with an upside down "B". Also of note is that the muzzle nut is present on the end of the bbl, which is often missing on these models. Feedblock SN 36543 does not match receiver number. Mounted on Omnibus machine gun tripod dated 1915 and SN 31465. The right tripod leg latch was thumbpiece broken off at the spring out retaining pin. The other latch is intact. Handle of elevation adjustment wheel is not present but locking lever does function. Firing mechanism of this weapon functions smoothly when operated by hand. This weapon appears fully functional. Consignor states that this gun was acquired by British sailors on a small ship after "The War" who used it to shoot whales, sharks and any other unfortunate sea creatures who came within range of the ship. Eventually, this ship came into port in Maine and the gun was sold here. PROVENANCE: Collection of Carl "Bill" Morrison. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is very good. Gun metal gray paint covering about 70% of the exposed metal surfaces with the rest of the exposed metal surfaces, particularly forward of the front sight, turning a brown patina. Rear handgrip ring of receiver is also missing the paint and there is significant old rusted corrosion there. The exposed portion of the operating piston has also turned to brown patina while the portion of the piston that was protected by the cyl is bright. Bore could use a cleaning. Lans are shiny but the bbl dark in the grooves. Interior of receiver could also use a cleaning and there is a significant amount of grime mixed with oil inside. Feedstrips are all in good condition and the cartridges, with exception of the 1917 cartridges, appear serviceable. Tripod finish is not better than 20% with brown corrosion, and blue brown patina on exposed surfaces, however the paint that is remaining does appear to be orig. Based upon the consignor's statement, this cataloger is of the opinion that it likely to be a good shooter. 4-48660 JWK18