M2HB

In 1921, when John Browning was called upon to design a heavy machinegun for his country, he gave America a weapon that, unknown and probably unbelievable to anyone at the time, would perfectly fulfill the needs of the USA for a heavy machinegun for over eight decades. Its early versions were watercooled and cumbersome. But when the 50 caliber Browning was redesigned into an air cooled machinegun, it reached the apex of performance for a military weapon. This version, known as the M2HB, Model 2 Heavy Barrel, dismantled pillboxes, took down aircraft and stopped more equipment from rendering harm to Americans and our Allies of World War II than any other machinegun. Through WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, the M2HB continues to SERVE AMERICA FLAWLESSLY. The centerpiece of this collection is a pristine M2HB manufactured by Savage Arms Corporation in Utica, New York during WWII. It is matched to a WWII M3 tripod. Both are original, uncut and in showpiece condition. The serial number on this gun 206,3xx, is very low. M2 machine guns were manufactured in serial number blocks assigned to the different manufacturers. Savage numbers may have started with 200,000. This gun is early Savage production with its serial number marked in three locations, the common right sideplate under the ejection port, on the top of the receiver at the front of the top plate, and on the interior side of the hinged top cover. This gun is a C&R qualified collectors item that will make every C3 collector envy its owner. It was registered in the 1968 Amnesty as a Dewat, although the receiver was only slightly touched in one spot by a welding rod. It remained a display item for 38 years, well cared for but unfired! It is now live and ready to grace your collection room.



$32,000 SOLD October 2006