Manufactured by the "VSM" Company of Cincinnati, Ohio using a mixture of their sideplate with original parts, this is an exceptionally well made, fully functional version of the famous Vickers Machine Gun. In many ways an evolution of the Maxim gun, the Vickers was a state of the art heavy machine gun, with the water cooling mechanism permitting a volume of sustained fire that can't be matched by air-cooled single barrel weapons. Properly positioned and supplied, the Vickers could inflict hideous damage to an exposed or charging enemy, and a large number of casualties in World War One were due to these weapons. While later strategic developments would favor lighter, air-cooled guns as an organic part of the infantry unit, the Vickers still performed well during the inter-war period, being very well suited to fixed position defense and stationary operations. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with a muzzle booster device fitted to the ribbed water jacket, "VSM" stamps and matching serial number "H2521" on multiple components, and a thumb trigger with "butterfly" safety. A set of smooth spade grips are installed (left grip empty, right grip containing a grease brush), with the tension mechanism on the left side of the receiver. Included with the lot is a green painted field mount tripod matching numbered "H2521" on the brass plate, and a pair of hardwood transport cases. Listed by serial number in Dolf L. Goldsmith's "The Grand Old Lady: The Vickers Machinegun" as one of 58 summer and fall 1918 production guns sent to Portugal (page 425).

Very fine, with 75% of the black enamel paint finish, showing some wear on the tension mechanism cover and high edges, light scratches and dings, and some minor spotting. The drain cork for the water jacket shows cracking and loss, and some minor chips and cracks are visible on the spade grips. Accessories are in fine order. 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) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.