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MACHINE GUN LOCK AND BROKEN FIRING PIN FROM VON R

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
MACHINE GUN LOCK AND BROKEN FIRING PIN FROM VON R
MACHINE GUN LOCK AND BROKEN FIRING PIN FROM VON RICHTHOFEN’S LMG 08/15 (#1795a). The feed lock was salvaged by Air Mechanic Colin C. Collins, No. 3 Sqdn., AFC, from one of von Richthofen’s two Maxim LMG 08/15 machine guns. The serial number indicates the gun was of late 1917 production, actually gun number 11795. The letter “a” after “1795” shows it was in the second batch of 10,000 guns produced that year. The broken firing pin actually fell from the lock some forty years after the April 21, 1918 dogfight, and the breakage may have contributed to problems von Richthofen encountered before the downing of his plane. CONDITION: Lock remains in working order and is marked with other arsenal proofs. Area around the firing pin area shows evidence of moderate firing. Parts are a mixture of blue and bright finish. There is evidence of light rust and dust accumulating throughout, but in no way is it detracting. Copies of letters from Air Mechanic Collins accompany this lot. A photograph of the machine gun lock and broken firing pin appear on page 233 of Who Killed The Red Baron? From the Collection of the late P. J. Carisella. 4-53509 CW10 (25,000-30,000)