Developed shortly before the outbreak of World War One, the Chauchat (also labeled the "CSRG" for Chauchat, Sutter, Ribeyrolles and Gladiator) was the primary French light machine gun on the Western Front, while also actively used by the American Expeditionary Force until the 1918 BAR came online. Like so many pre-WWI weapons and tactics, the Chauchat had trouble in the trenches, with the Gladiator-made American 30-06 model being a source of stress through nearly the entire conflict. Sidarme, which produced exclusively for French contracts, had a healthier reputation, and the French used their 1915s chiefly in the "squad automatic" role to provide suppressing fire for rapid advances, often lighting up opposing heavy machine gun nests to keep the gunners heads down while grenadiers closed the distance to blast them out. Later phased out in favor of the FM 24 machine gun, some Chauchats were still in the French inventory at the start of World War II, where 3rd line units used them against the German breakthrough. At the outbreak of the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, around 5,000 1915s were donated by France to the Finns, and while they did not arrive in time for the Winter War they did serve in the Continuation War. Blade front and tangent rear sights, both offset to the left, with the left sideplate marked "SIDARME" over "C.S.R.G. 25536" ahead of the Finnish "SA" inspection mark. A semicircular magazine attaches to the underside, with a three position "S/M/C" selector switch, hinged bipod, dual pistol grips and a hardwood buttstock.

Very good, with 30% of the original dull blue finish. Mild spotting and shallow pitting is scattered overall, with multiple areas cleaned bright to control the oxidization, areas of brown patina, and scattered handling marks. The grips and stock are good, with mild dings, scuffs and scratches. Mechanically fine. 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) 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.