This is an exceptional example of an original, fully operational early Colt manufactured Vickers Model 1915 medium machine gun manufactured in 1917. In 1913, the U.S. Ordnance Board began to search for a new modern medium machine gun to replace the various other machine guns already in Army inventory, [i.e. M1895 (potato digger), early M1904 Maxims, M1909 Benét Mercié guns, and Lewis machine guns]. So in September of 1913, the Board of Ordnance met at Springfield Armory to establish a competitive test of current automatic machine guns for adoption by the U.S. Army. Seven makes of automatic machine guns were considered and tested and all had terrible failure rates except the British Vickers machine gun. So based on its superior reliability and wartime reputation, in mid 1914 the Vickers MG was unanimously approved by the board for adoption by the U.S. Army under the designation "Vickers Machine Gun, Model of 1915, Caliber .30, Water-Cooled". So in 1915 it was formally standardized as the US medium machine gun. In 1915 the U.S. Army immediately ordered 125 guns from Colt's Manufacturing Company with a second government contract for 4,000 more ordered in 1916, all chambered for .30-06. Unfortunately due to the design complexities of converting from .303 British to 30-06, on a large production line basis, Colt did not begin production until late 1917 with shipments finally sent to the Western Front in mid-1918. Which meant that when the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, Colt had not manufactured a single Model 1915 machine gun. Approximately 12,125 were eventually manufactured by Colt with approximately 4,000 lost to wartime use during WWI. After the war, the Model 1915 remained in Army inventory until the adoption of the Model 1917 and later Model 1919 machine guns. This very desirable machine gun is marked on the front end of the water jacket with "VICKERS MACHINE GUN/MODEL OF 1915/COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./NO 2622/1917 INSPR. J.M.G." It is easily identified by the very large muzzle booster and the large tangent rear sight. This rear sight is a very complicated sight for the time as it is graduated on top of the slide from 1-26 (100-2600 yards), and it is equipped with a rotating aperture peep with multiple sized openings as well as a fine tune adjustment wheel on top of the sight. It has an all blued metal finish and is complete with numerous original accessories that include an original and very rare Colt manufactured tripod fitted with a brass nomenclature plate which reads: "VICKERS MACH GUN/TRIPOD/MARK IV/1386/MFG. BY COLT'S PT. FA. MFG.CO./HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.", an original brass cradle with the elevation mechanism, a wooden storage chest to store the machine gun itself, and an original Colt manufactured machine gun belt loading set in its original wooden storage box. This lot also includes one complete breechlock mechanism, a complete field/ordnance repair gauge set that contains 23 different gauges (consisting of headspace, chamber, and timing gauges) all stored in a new manufactured walnut storage chest; an original metal water can, two original wooden ammunition storage boxes, and one original Vickers white cloth ammunition belt with brass tabs on the ends which contains approximately 30 rounds of dummy 30-06 ammunition.

Exceptionally fine with 95% plus of the military dull blue/black finish with light edge wear overall from the storage case. The markings are clear and sharp and it hand cycles and dry fires correctly. The various accessories are all in fine condition. The brass tripod and cradle have been nicely repainted in a dark field gray color that retains 98% of the paint that shows some minor edge wear and flaking in some areas. 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.