WELL ACCESSORIZED WILSON ARMS REGISTERED VICKERS

MK. I WATER-COOLED MACHINE GUN. Cal. 7.92mm (currently configured in .303 British). S# VSA 083. Bbl. 24". Vickers Mk. I originally mfg. by Vickers-Armstrong for commercial sales and later fitted with a new sideplate and registered by Wilson Arms. The top of the feed tray cover is marked "VICKERS CLASS 'C'/ AUTOMATIC GUN/ MANUFACTURED BY/ VICKERS-ARMSTRONG LTD./ CRAYFORD - WORKS, CRAYFORD./ KENT. ENGLAND." (Class "C" denoting interwar commercial mfg.). Top rear of the jacket is faintly marked with an apparent "V5512/ VAC". Right sideplate is marked "WILSON ARMS CO./ BRUNSWICK GA./ VSA-083". Various internal parts and components exhibit military proofing. "VSM" marked toggle, spade grip assembly, charging handle, and charging handle lock. Brass feed tray marked "MA'42". Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, with original receiver parts / components exhibiting a layer of black enamel. Smooth water jacket exhibits a green painted finish. Standard 2-piece plain wood spade grips with integral oilers and brushes. Standard dovetailed blade front sight (with protective ears) and No. 2 Mk. I aperture rear sight graduated 100-2900 yards (for Mk. VII ammunition). Muzzle is fitted with an armored cone deflector. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: well made contemporary wood transit chest, Mk. IV tripod with cradle (cradle marked "B/ 1943" on the left and "MOUNT, TRIPOD MG MK. IV." on right), x1 parabolic flash eliminator, x4 ammunition cans with leather strap handles (each containing a cloth belt), x3 condenser / filler cans (x1 mfg. by Shell), x1 hose, x1 custom belt loader, x1 clinometer sight (by A. Kershaw & Son Ltd.) with brown leather carrier, x1 Mk. III aiming lamp, as well as x1 10-count box of metallic links. Additionally, this example is accompanied by x4 spare bbls. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their blue / black enamel finish, showing some wear and thinning fading to gray patina, as well as scattered flaking to the black enamel finish. Fusee cover exhibits some scattered patches of mild pitting. Wilson Arms sideplate shows a few patches of wear and thinning fading to gray patina. Water jacket shows some scattered handling marks and some small scattered spots of flaking. Mirror bore, retaining strong rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Grips show some scattered marks and impressions from handling and storage, with the left grip exhibiting a crack stemming from the upper edge. Tripod and cradle are very good, exhibiting some scattered spots of flaking. Bbls. appear to all retain mirror bores, exhibiting varying degrees of hardened grease (on exterior and interior), while retaining strong rifling throughout. Remainder of accessories are very good, with some wear. An attractively accessorized Vickers Mk. I (Class "C") machine gun. PROVENANCE: From the Harry A. Baldwin Estate Collection. (03-2326/MLW). MODERN. CLASS III. $14,000-19,000.