6 replies to this topic

[imdeggman]

There are three Tippman Browning miniatures for sale at the Rock Island, September 6th auction.

A Model 17, Model 19 and a 50 Cal. HB.

Does anyone have any insight into these 1/2 scale models or advice about what to look for if one is considering bidding?

Being new to the world of full auto (patiently waiting for my Form 4 to be approved) and from the Fort Wayne area, the Tippmans fascinate me.   

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[mattnh]

Most people collect these in pristine/unused condition.

Of the 3, the M2 is by far the most rare.

There are videos on youtube of them in operation.

 

I think Tippman makes paintball guns now.

https://www.tippmann.com/

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

According to Dennis J. Tippmann, the number of the Ft. Wayne Indiana manufactured mini Brownings were:

Semi-Auto
1919 Model  111
1917 Model   78
.50HB Model  25

Full Auto
1919 Model  123
1917 Model   25
.50HB Model  44

The three F/A Tippmanns auctioned by RA all have the later safety design and later  flipper type mechanism on the left side plate which made the bolt operation much more reliable.  Each Tippmann has its own unique characteristics. The serial numbers, other than the prefix designation for full auto, are a head scratch when it comes to figuring out date of production.   The auction describes the finish on the 1919 #AL146 as "99% original green parkerized finish."  The original 1985 Tippmanns were not parkerized.   AL146 doesn't appear to be parkerized.  Lakeside Guns Pound,  Wisconsin did/does provide this finish on their Tippmanns and those Tippmanns sent to them. (see photo)

 

 Tippmann 1919 parkerized green.jpg   20.33K   7 downloads

[johnsonlmg41]

Lakeside reworked a lot them because most of them had function issues and parts were not interchangeable with what lakeside made on an actual CNC production basis.  All of the original guns were essentially hand fit.  I don't know that Eric is working on them anymore since he's retired from the biz quite a while now,and it's up for sale.  Many of the serial numbers are random because there were several sets sold with the same serial numbers to make  matching numbered sets.  

As far as production dates, it wasn't that big of a span with a small collector following.  That whole paintball thing kind of took off IIRC? LOL

 

The rule of thumb with anything rimfire is that you need to be a bit of a tinkerer.  If you can verify that the gun had been up to Lakeside back in the day for a rework it's fairly reliable.  If it hasn't been touched since the 80's reliability will be a major issue.  HTH

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

 Many of the serial numbers are random because there were several sets sold with the same serial numbers to make  matching numbered sets.  

As far as production dates, it wasn't that big of a span with a small collector following.  

 

The production time period is indeed short which is why the out of sequence serial numbering is frustrating. The low or high serial number can not be relied on to determine whether the left side plate has the upgraded bolt mechanism instead of the static island.  The former making for reliable operation while the latter accounted for more jams than Smuckers.

[lpedersen]

Here are pictures both inside and out of the flipper type mechanism on the left side plate that was made reference to. This is from 1919 OF5 that was made on December 12 1984

Attached Files

•  Resized_20190830_133156.jpeg   339.39K   6 downloads
•  Resized_20190830_133231.jpeg   413.98K   6 downloads

[mattnh]

These sold at auction for:

1917    $14,950+premium  https://www.rockisla...917-machine-gun

M2HB  $28,750+premium https://www.rockisla...nfa-machine-gun

1919    $18,400+premium https://www.rockisla...919-machine-gun