Manufactured with a combination of commercial and military surplus components, this is a functional example of the Browning Model 1917A1 medium machine gun built around a Rock Island Arsenal sideplate by John Stemple. One of John Browning's many contributions to small arms, the 1917 was the American answer to the Maxim-based water cooled guns fielded by the British and Germans for World War One, capable of matching them for volume of fire out in the trenches. The descendants of the 1917, including the air-cooled 1918 and the .50 caliber M2, would be American mainstays for decades, the M2 in particular still remaining a premier heavy machine gun. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with the green painted brass water jacket enclosing the barrel, and a pair of smooth grips. The right sideplate bears the markings of the Rock Island Arsenal, with the Stemple address concealed in the ejector port. Currently, a set of Israeli 7.62mm components are installed. Included with the gun is a hardwood ammo box and a brass and steel tripod with Colt manufacturer plaque on the rear leg marked with the number "549". Muzzle device/recoil booster absent.

Excellent, with 95% of the matte green phosphate finish, showing some light wear and handling marks overall. The visible brass is bright and well polished on the gun, with a mixed darker patina on the tripod, which also shows some light scuffs and dents. 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.