This is a desirable example of basically an updated commercial version of the original US M1917 water cooled machine gun, produced and sold by the Colt Firearms Company. The 1917 machine gun was developed towards the end of WWI and was used throughout the 1920s and 30s and eventually into WWII before being replaced by the air cooled 1919A4 machine gun. The "38B" was the commercial version of the 1917 machine gun as sold by the Colt Firearms Division after WWI, using Browning's original patent design. The Colt model was sold to some South American countries, primarily Argentina and even to Norway. This example has "D.L.O. Stamford CT." stamped on the underside of the side plate. The Colt model can be easily recognized by the large tubular water jacket on the outside of the barrel, (like the 1917 model) with the addition of a set of spade grips instead of the single pistol grip and they are equipped with a huge ladder rear sight (looks like a 1903 Springfield sight on steroids) that is graduated, 1-32 (100-3200 yards) with a single blade front sight. The side plate is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUN/MODEL MG38B CAL .30" over Brownings Patent number and the Colt factory address over serial number "114720'. It is complete with a 1917A1 cradle, T&E mechanism, tripod and one cloth belt.

Very good condition with 50% plus of the finish still remaining overall with a gray patina on the exposed metal surface. The cradle, and tripod both retain 85% of their dark blue/black type finish overall. 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) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.