Designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1917 saw combat in the final days of World War One and was America's go-to heavy machine gun for decades; when it was finally retired from combat service, it wasn't because someone came up with a weapon that could do the job better but because the entire heavy machine gun concept was considered obsolete. Between the water cooling of the barrel and the rugged Browning design, the 1917 could bring sustained fire with impressive vigor, and in one early demonstration a 1917 was fired for 20,000 rounds without error, immediately fired another 20,000 rounds to show off to the assembled observers, and then traded out for a second 1917 which repeated the entire stunt to demonstrate that the production weapon would be just as good as the demo model. Additionally, the Model 1917 had a legacy in the form of the Model 1919 medium machine gun and the M2 50 caliber machine gun, two of the most definitive automatic weapons of the 20th century. Fitted with a blade front sight and a ladder rear sight, the former installed on the water cooling jacket and the latter equipped with a fixed battle sight and a wide adjustable peep for anti-aircraft work. The five-line Westinghouse maker's mark is present on the right side of the receiver, with a "WEW" inspector mark, smooth panels on the pistol grip, and a semi-permanent hinged pintle installed near the front. This pintle is currently slotted into a 1942-dated "Mc.E.Co" marked 1917A1 field tripod, equipped with a set of adjustable legs, green paint finish and a set of gross and fine traverse and elevation adjustment mechanisms. Also included with the lot are four extra barrels, a 1943 dated indirect fire clinometer, a clamp-on carry handle, 2 canvas ammunition belts (unloaded), a multi-tool, oiler, two OD green ammo cans and two hardwood crates.

Very fine as arsenal refurbished with 95% of the parkerized finish showing some spots of yellow paint on the left side of the water jacket and mild handling marks overall. The chain for the drain plug has started to pull away from its base, but otherwise all the components are in good order. The tripod shows mild wear, and the adjustment mechanisms are in good order. The installed barrel has been plugged, but it is otherwise mechanically fine. 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.