This is a very good example of an WWI air cooled Model 1914 Lewis Machine gun manufactured by the Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) Manufacturing Company. Prior to WWI these were considered the premier air cooled light machine gun and was the first machine gun to actually be mounted and successfully used on an airplane in flight in 1912. The design was originally developed in 1910/11 by the Automatic Arms Company of Buffalo NY. for commercial sales by Lt. Col. Lewis using the gas-operated, bolt turning design of Samuel McLean. Later, Lt. Col. Lewis added some of his own improved designs changes, namely the jacketed cooling fin assembly on the barrel. This version was eventually produced in Belgium and in England by the BSA company during WWI. It was also used extensively by the U.S. AEF in WWI where it was highly effective. The top of the receiver is marked: "Manufactured by/The Birmingham Small Arms Co. Ltd./ENGLAND/for" and "Armes Automatiques Lewis/BELGIUM". In front of the rear sight it is marked "Lewis Auto Gun./Mod. 1914-Pat. It has a fixed front sight and a large tangent rear sight graduated from "1-19" (100-1900 meters). The rear end of the barrel housing is numbered "1961" which is lined out. The top cover was originally numbered "68289", which is lined out and renumbered "A640" when it was arsenal rebuilt. Many of the various parts have their original British proof and acceptance marks. It is currently fitted with a very rare antiaircraft type large folding aperture front sight, with the standard tangent rear sight. There is also a heavy brass mounting block on the underside of the barrel jacket and it comes with a corresponding large antiaircraft pedestal/shaft that fits into the tripod. It also comes with four of the circular magazines, each holding 47 rounds. It also comes with a heavy, three legged tripod with a heavy brass centers section with a 1917 type brass cradle. This rare machine gun still has a dark blue/black finish with a walnut stock and pistol grips. This is a very rare and historic light machine gun that certainly belongs in a high end collection.

Fine condition with 95% of a restored blued finish on all the metal parts of the gun. The buttstock is in very good condition having been refinished with two large field repairs, one on the side and one on top of the comb. The various accessories are all in good condition having been repainted. A nice complete WWII Lewis Light Machine 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.