An early development in aircraft armament, the Colt Vickers 1918 machine gun was adapted for use in the air. While water cooling was unneeded in an airplane, where the cold, fast moving air was more than enough to manage barrel heat, the water jacket on the Vickers was a load-bearing component, resulting in the signature ventilation cuts on the water jacket. Multiple modifications were made to the receiver, with a swiveling arm and sliding pins to ensure none of the levers could come loose, slots cut in the top to accept remote trigger and timing hardware, and a geared arm on the tension mechanism to permit adjustment from the rear. Finally, the whole mechanism has been scaled up to handle the 11x59mm Gras round, a semi-obsolete large bore rifle round repurposed for machine gun. Especially when combined with incendiary bullets, this combination was known as the "balloon buster", and became the weapon of choice for aviators tasked to take out artillery observer balloons. These balloons were very high value targets, and often heavily defended by both ground emplacements and enemy aircraft; taking a run at one was not an activity for the faint of heart. Colt's markings are present on the front of the water jacket, which has a series of holes cut in the front and rear and slotted vents in the sides, while retaining the standard recoil booster assembly. No provision for ground firing is made; no sights, no trigger or handgrips. The bolt face is marked "11MM.", with a mixed electro-penciled number on the side of the bolt components.

Fine, with 85% of the original blue finish, with a mixed brown patina, scattered handling marks, and mild wear overall. The water jacket has taken some hits, most prominently on the left rear side, causing significant deformation and cracking of the assembly, and the bolt face is chipped. 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.