This is a solid example of an original WWI 1915 French Chauchat DEWAT machine gun manufactured by the SIDARME factory. While called a machine gun by US terms, it is actually called an automatic rifle by the French. It was one of several types of squad level machine guns used by the French throughout WWI. It was purchased in large numbers by the U.S. Government as a war expedient model in the original 8 mm Lebel; however it was later changed to the Model 1918 chambered in the standard 30-06 cartridge which used a straight stick type magazine instead of the standard curved French model magazine. It has a very unusual operating mechanism in that it has a rotating bolt or bolt head during the locking and unlocking mode similar to a Johnson rifle and can be fired in both the fully automatic and semi-automatic fashion like the Browning BAR. It operates in a direct blowback manner and uses a long-recoil type mechanism mounted on top and to the rear of the receiver itself and is fed from a large curved type magazine fitted to the bottom of the weapon. Throughout the war, it never proved itself as a very reliable machine gun as the side of the magazine, the opening for the operating rod and bolt area were all exposed to dirt and debris from the battlefields, causing it to jam often and making it not a favorite of the U.S. forces. The left side of the receiver is marked with a large five-pointed star with Cross-Cannons inside followed by "SIDARME" over "C.S.R.G. /25628". It has a walnut stock, pistol grip and forward support handle; a side mounted bipod, 90% of its fixed front sight, and a fully adjustable rear sight. It comes with three original French curved magazines and an extremely rare French wooden magazine storage/carrying box. It has been DEWATed by plug welding the chamber of the barrel and welding the barrel to the receiver.

Fine as deactivated with 70% of its blue/black exterior finish mixed with a brown patina on the balance of the weapon. The bolt assembly is still in the white. The wood components are all in very good condition. The buttstock and pistol grip have light scratches and pressure dents on the sides. The small foregrip has split in half, and only the right side still remains on the gun. 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.