(N) SOUTH AMERICAN CONTRACT HOTCHKISS PORTATIVE MODEL

Receiver marked on left "MITRAILLEUSE AUTOMATIQUE PORTATIVE HOTCHKISS / BREVETEE S.G.D.G. CALIBRE 7 m/m / No 672 1910", as made by Hotchkiss for South America. Barrel number is #671, preceded by a large "2" indicating this was the secondary barrel supplied with the sister to this gun. Very fine shoulder extension with flip-up shoulder rest and original wood cover present. Bipod assembly is not present, but instead a cleverly contemporary made clamp on adapter which allows this gun to be mounted on either a U.S. Standard Products (Cleveland) tripod, or an Ominbus tripod. Included with this lot is a spare trigger group, five brass feed strips, one of which contains 30 rounds of 1971 Chilean 7mm Mauser ammunition. The Hotchkiss machine gun is a very robust and reliable design. This model has cooling fins and a heavily knurled barrel which helps to dissipate heat. The feed strip system utilized by the Hotchkiss gun was a thoughtful and effective system for guns which were going to be employed in inhospitable weather conditions. Unlike the belts of the its contemporary Maxim, Vickers and Browning belt fed guns, the brass feed strips of the Hotchkiss were not much affected by wet conditions nor going to be devoured by mold or insects when in tropical conditions, nor expand and shrink to any real degree. CONDITION: Overall appearance & finish is good to very good with about 50% original blue finish remaining mostly turning to a gray and brown patina, mottled coverage, with much more finish on the trigger group and barrel. Mechanics are fine. Gas nut is fine with some light pitting. Bore is very good with shiny lands with some light frosting. Bolt and bolt face very fine. The Hotchkiss guns, whether it be the French, Japanese, British, or South American versions are very fun guns to shoot, steady, reliable, and relatively slow firing. In addition to being a very collectible early machine gun design, the recent resurgence of availability of good modern boxer primed brass and ammunition has been a real boon to the rise in popularity of the gun at shooting events. This is one of two consecutively numbered guns in this auction. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2020-05-081 Accessories: extra trigger assembly ,one loaded feed strip, four empty feed strips Barrel Length: 25" Caliber/Bore: 7mm FFL Status: NFA Manufacturer: France Model: Hotchkiss Portative 1910 Serial Number: 672