Originally manufactured by High Standard and restored by John Stemple, this is the signature heavy machine gun of the 20th century. One of many marquee weapons designed by John Browning, the M2 was developed in response to events of World War I, where the first generation of armored fighting vehicles and early developments in armored aircraft made their debut. Finished after Browning's death, the M2 was an extremely versatile weapon, capable of filling a number of slots; infantry-carried heavy machine gun, dual-purpose anti-personnel/anti-aircraft weapon, and vehicle/aircraft armament being among the most prominent. Much as German fast-firing machine guns earned a deadly reputation among American soldiers in World War II, the American M2 instilled similar dread in the enemy, capable of taking down Luftwaffe aircraft that strayed too low during attack runs and shredding obstacles that would have saved an infantryman or sniper from a lesser weapon. During the Vietnam War, a specially modified M2 was used by USMC sniper Carlos "White Feather" Hathcock to establish a confirmed kill range record (2250 yards) in 1967; this shot held the #1 position for 35 years, still holds the #7 slot as of this writing, and is the only shot in the top ten not taken with 21st century hardware. Fielded by armed forces around the globe and seeing action to this very day, the M2 design holds up as a gold standard for crew served and vehicular weaponry, with no signs of retiring in the foreseeable future; barring some unpredictable revolution in small arms design or a massive breakthrough in direct energy weapons, Browning's design is here to stay. A set of hooded blade front and folding ladder rear sights are installed on the receiver, with the High Standard nomenclature and model markings on the right side plate along with "GHD" inspection and "RIA EB" refurbish marks. A heavy profile barrel is installed in a short ventilated heat shield, with a right-hand configured hardwood charging handle and a double spade grip assembly. Included with the machine gun is a non-regulation lightweight aluminum tripod, a green painted steel and brass pintle mount (sans legs), a traverse and elevation carriage, extra barrel with canvas case, loose small spare parts, manuals, and a set of go/no go timing and headspace gauges.

Very fine as restored, with 70% of the blued finish on the barrel and 80% of the parkerization on the receiver, the former showing patches of spotting, the latter handling marks and areas of covered pitting. The cocking handle and spade grips show mild scuffing and cracking. Mechanically excellent. 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.