SOLD - Rare Vickers Mark I Grouping - Semi-Automatic

Description

4/8/21 - This is a super rare and very cool Vickers Mark I machine gun that was converted to semi-automatic, and is one of only 1,137 guns the British provided Turkey to replace their aging German Maxim guns on the eve of World War II. The corrugated (fluted) jacket and many of the parts were produced at Vickers Crayford Works in the UK in May of 1918. The gun was later sent to Belgium for conversion to 7.92x57mm for subsequent shipment to Turkey. Turkey adapted the gun to use their existing stocks of Maxim 100rd drums, ZF-12 optical sights and added anti-aircraft sights. This semi-auto Vickers resembles its full-automatic counterpart completely in its exterior appearance. The gun was remanufactured by Midwest Metal Creations in Iowa with a Halo Manufacturing right side plate and fire control parts to a specification approved by the BATF. This rifle comes with one of the few complete remaining Turkish modified Vickers Mark I tripods in the world. In the early 1940s, the British sold Turkey 1,137 Vickers Mark I machine guns and tripods. The Turks made a number of innovative modifications to the tripod. This tripod is complete with all pins, the anti-aircraft (AA) extension that fits into a hole in the crosshead, large azimuth dial, and traverse stops. This listing includes several more extras, such as the Vickers machine gun transit chest. It is an original British wooden WWI/II era chest for a Vickers or Lewis machine gun. The hinged lid and two hasps and turnbuckles are all functional. A rope handle is attached to each end. Leather strips secure the canvas seal at the back. Also comes with a rare Turkish Vickers Maxim MG08/15 drum hanger, 2 aluminum ammunition belts, and a reproduction Maxim MG08/15 ammo drum. It even comes with a scarce ZF-12 optical sight that the Turks mounted on their Vickers Mark I machine guns. It has a cracked lens but also comes with a case and an extra sight body with replacement lens. Listing also comes with the Vickers machine gun mounting bracket, long mounting pins, adapter for ZF-12 sight, spare barrel and barrel carrier. Lastly, an unopened can of 1950s Yugoslavian 7.92x57mm ammo is included, which contains 900 rounds. All together, this is an incredible grouping you will not come across again any time soon.