Page 339 - Auction84-Book2

Blade front and tangent rear sights, both offset to the left, with the left side plate marked “SIDARME” over “C.S.R.G.” 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. A green canvas sling is fitted to the receiver, and a set of clamp on post and “spider web” anti-aircraft sights are mounted to the standard sights.
CONDITION: Very good as deactivated, with 80% of the refinished blue
finish, showing covered pitting, a number of light scratches and dents,
and mild handling marks overall. The wood shows a number of scratches
and dents, but is otherwise fair. The breech of the barrel has been welded shut, but the bolt is still mobile and the action is in good order. NOTE: This is a registered DEWAT weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), as a National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon, that is fully transferable. It has been classified as a Curio 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.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 1669
Desirable World War I German Maxim Model 1908 (DWM) Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun with Sled Mount - Serial no. 48168d, 8mm cal., 28 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Originally developed by Hiram Maxim in the 1880s, the Maxim Gun is credited as the first true automatic weapon, using the energy generated by firing the round to cycle the weapon, and was one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century, as it was the first self-sustaining heavy machine gun used by any country on the battlefield. Predating the idea of the air-cooled quick-change barrel, Maxim dealt with the technical challenge of the massive heat generated by automatic fire by installing a water-filled jacket around the barrel, an innovation that would continue to be used for decades afterwards. It was adopted by the British Army in 1895, with the Imperial German Army following suit in 1899, and then the Russian Army in 1905. It was used heavily by all three of the aforementioned users throughout World War I as a ground mounted version in trench warfare. It earned the nickname the “Devils Paintbrush” due to its ability to mow down hundreds of men during the large scale assaults from the trenches. The large distinctive steel water jacket held seven quarts of water to cool the barrel which allowed it to have long sustained bursts of fire of up to 500 rounds before the water started to boil. At around 2,000 rounds of sustained fire the water would all boil off and the jacket had to be refilled. This “1918” dated World War I Imperial German Army Model 1908 Maxim heavy machine gun was manufactured by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). “48168/M.G.08./D.W.M./Berlin./1918.” marked on the top cover. Mostly matching numbered parts. Replacement spring cover marked “MASCH. GEW. 08./ SPANDAU/1917/*GEWEHRFABRIK*” in a circle on the left. Features include a large steel water jacket, blade front sight, flip-up rear sight graduated from 400-2,000 meters, crank-adjusted spring tension regulator on the left side of the frame, and spade grip. “DUMACK BURTON HEDDITCH N. MIAMI” faintly hand marked on the left of the frame below the scope mount. Includes a sled mount. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 80% refinished high polish blue finish with some occasional patches of light surface corrosion, and some dents on the water jacket. The spade grips show some cracking and chipping. Mechanically fine. Included sled mount is fine with some light wear and chips. 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. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000 LOT 1670 French SIDARME Chauchat Light Machine Gun with Finnish Army Acceptance Mark, Class III/NFA DEWAT C&R Machine Gun - Serial no. 19369, 8 mm cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. 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.
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