This is an excellent example of a highly desirable Vickers Pattern MkI heavy machine gun that has been assembled on a Charles Erb receiver. The Vickers machine gun was actually produced under a limited affiliation between Albert Vickers Company and Hiram S. Maxim starting in approximately 1885. The British Government required certain modification to the gun. Maxim made the modifications and reduced the weight to 40.5 lbs. The British Government tested the new improved gun, all three test models passed and the Government approved it as their standard in 1887. Although England did not manufacture/purchase large numbers until the early 1900s, it eventually was fielded in huge numbers during WWI and WWII and remained in service in great Britain until the adoption of the L7A1 in 1961. It is a very heavy, robust and highly desirable heavy machine noted for its extremely reliability. It uses a non-disintegrating cloth belt and has a cyclic rate of 500 rpm. This example is all complete with an all blued receiver manufactured by the Charles Erb company that is fitted with an original green painted, fluted water jacket. The left side of the receiver has the "Charles Erb" Bullet designed log followed by serial number 645A. The water jacket and feed tray are both stamped "D5228" with the rear of the feed tray stamped 7.9mm. This excellent MG comes with three cloth belts and an original British type tripod designed for this weapon.

Fine condition with 95% of the combination blue and painted metal finish overall. The tripod retains 85% of its original dark green/gray color. NOTE: This item is restricted as 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 478.