[southbysouthwest]

The description, that was posted this week by IMA...

Original Item: Probably one of the most romantic and rare WW1 Vickers Display Machine Guns to come to the market for many years. Originally surplus from the Egyptian Army in 1984 and shipped to England where it was converted to a "Parts Set" and delivered to the U.S. Rebuilt as a Non-Firing Unrestricted Display Gun it has been in a private collection for almost twenty years.
The Gun is marked with a hand punched inscription on the forward small top cover directly behind the Water Jacket. This inscription reads " ABBASIA, 1917". Abbasia is in fact the large Military Arsenal located in Cairo Egypt and was probably marked there as an inventory reference which confirms use in that theatre of WW1. The Serial Number is "L9766" which would date its manufacture to 1916, however it is fitted with certain elements of extremely early Vickers manufacture. Specifically, it is fitted with an original FIVE ARCH SIGHT BRIDGE which were very expensive to produce and abandoned after only a few hundred were made. (See The Grand Old Lady of No Man's Land by Goldsmith, Page 41, Illustration 27) It is also fitted with the very early Vickers "Lightened" milled Check Lever, again abandoned early on; (See Goldsmith Page 61). The Gun is fitted with it's original Fluted and Blued Water Jacket, Tan paint having been removed by it's US Collector owner, it is fitted with the early VICKERS FLAT NOSED Muzzle Gland Cage.

{continues on at http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_214_55/products_id/1940}

Some more nice pics..

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/1

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/2

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/3

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/4

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/5

http://www.ima-usa.com/popup_image.php/pID/1940/image/6

 

[comanderfritz]

so why is it worth $11000 again?

 

[KABAR2]

Because its an early WWI gun with many features people want, like the 5 arched sight base, the waterjacket, the tripod is Maxim marked not Vickers, So it would appear to be an early pod it also has an antiaircraft extension which are seldom seen on this side of the pond. And they have it's history. They know it won't sell over night, but someone with deep pockets may decide they have to have it! and if by chance they have a registered plate or a ratty Vickers that could be upgraded with these parts they may feel the price is justified. Why were people years back willing to pay 1200.00 for a display gun that can never shoot? because it's neat and they have surplus cash to burn.

Me if I had that kind of money to play with I'd be looking for a Live registered MG. or a DD not a display piece.

 

[franks71vw]

just asking here but these display guns what would you need to do if you want to turn them into functioning semi's ie maxim, pkms etc? IMA has several of these display and was wondeirng if I purchased one how hard would it be to make it into a functioning firearm?

 

[KABAR2]

With the Vickers you would have to strip the side plates off and start from scratch, you would need the lock and the rails a barrel, a new right and left side plates. Some of the other display guns use Aluminum receivers, and you still need the internal bits...... bolt spring etc.

 

[MG34_Dan]

Double check that trunion closely if you want to activate it.

If the trunion was milled to accept thick dummy side plates, you are screwed as it cannot be used to construct a live gun. The standard thickness side plates won't fit. That would be too bad. Even assuming the trunion has not been milled, I will bet the trunion barrel channel is worn badly and will need to be bushed. Plus you need to check the water jacket. I have seem three DP Vickers that had the water jackets rotted out from the inside.

 

[Freddy Guns]

So the Egyptian forces used the Vickers well up to the 80s?, Most nations around then would be using Browning MGs/FN MAGs/PKMs.