One of John Browning's many contributions to small arms, the 1917 was the American answer to the Maxim-based water cooled guns fielded by the British and Germans for World War One, capable of matching them for volume of fire out in the trenches. The descendants of the 1917, including the air-cooled 1918 and the .50 caliber M2, would be American mainstays for decades, the M2 in particular still remaining a premier heavy machine gun. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with the green painted steel water jacket enclosing the barrel, and a pair of smooth grips. The right sideplate bears the markings of the Rock Island Arsenal, and the underside of the receiver is marked "PCC PHX, AZ". Included with the lot is a folding tripod with integral traverse and elevation mechanism, steam hose, two canvas cartridge belts and a number of disintegrating metal links.

Fine as assembled/refinished, with 90% of the current green enamel finish, showing some dents and dings beneath the surface, scattered edge wear and handling marks, and some flaking. The sideplate markings are a bit faint. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.