This is a fine example of a WWI Winchester Model 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) as manufactured in 1918, that was Arsenal refurbished for WWII. These rifles were developed and originally issued to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France during WWI. It proved to be a highly effective combat assault rifle and light machine gun. They were reissued during WWII and even into Korea. They were extremely reliable and highly accurate with the sole drawback being their 20 round magazine. This example has the later BAR adjustable rear sight, with a varnished and coarse checkered first pattern walnut forend with a later WWII 1918A2 pattern fiberglass buttstock with the folding shoulder support buttplate and the late pattern magazine guards. The receiver selector lever has two positions: "F" for semi-automatic fire and "A" for automatic fire. It is fitted with a WWII New England Firearms replacement barrel marked "NE-7/Ordnance Shell and Flame proof/11-43" with a WWII flash-hider and bipod. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped in five lines: "BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE/- U.S. CAL. .30. MODEL 1918 -/- MAN'F'D. BY WINCHESTER -/ 112004 /- PATENT APPLIED FOR - " . A small Ordnance Escutcheon inspection mark is stamped on the top of the receiver in front of the nomenclature. This fine example has a WWII dark parkerized finish overall. This fine BAR is complete with a four original BAR magazine web belts described as follows; WWI and WWII belts dated 1918 and 1951 respectively, that hold six magazines in each belt; 1 early 1918 dated "assistant gunner" belt that four BAR magazines with four 1903 Springfield stripper clips pouches and one early 1918 dated web belt that hold four BAR magazines two pockets for Model 1911 clips. This last belt also has the cupped steel buttplate holder for use when using the BAR in an assault rifle mode. This lot also includes 15 original spare box magazines, two magazine loading tools, and a field cleaning kit in a green canvas carrying pouch that includes seven jointed cleaning rod sections, a ruptured shell extractor and chamber brush, an extra M10 cleaning rod in a pouch and a gas piston field rejection gauge.

Fine as Arsenal refurbished with 85% of a parkerized finish overall with the wear and finish loss on the edges and high spots overall with some heavily scratches on the sides of the receiver. The handguard has a lateral crack on the lower rear section that shows a field repair on the underside. Mechanically functions fine. The various accessories and magazines are all in very fine condition. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been 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 478. Before bidding on this item, it is the sole responsibility and obligation of the bidder to understand and comply with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence. From the Harry Dozier Collection.