My 1915 M1914 BSA SN A 18325, A113

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June/July 1915 production WWI British M1914 Lewis Gun by Birmingham Small Arms (BSA).

 

An excellent, well packaged and accessorized gun that runs mint. It is tuned in right without gas leaks/cross-threading (as can be common on older Lewis guns), and comes with enough spare parts to outlive the buyer’s lifetime of regular shooting.

 

The gun reads, “Manufactured by The Birmingham Arms C Ltd ENGLAND for Armes Automatiques Lewis BELGIUM” and “Lewis Auto Gun Mod. 1914 - Pat.”. It features many proofmarks such as the Broadarrow, and is mostly numbers matching. The top cover features the British serial number A 18325 and Irish serial number A113. The rear half of receiver features the British serial number 18325 and Irish serial number A113, with front half of receiver dually marked with Irish serial number A113. The radiator jacket features the British serial number A 18325. The original bipod is marked “MOUNT - FIELD 303 LEWIS GUN MKIII MAKERS DECIMALS Ltd SELLY OAK BIRMINGHAM”. The front sight band features the British serial number 77185 and Irish serial number 113, likewise the bolt is matching bolt body and stud, featuring British serial numbers Z360 and Irish serial number A113. The bolt is an improved dual extractor variant. The original numbers matching (A113) barrel is also included, albeit the chamber is plugged. This barrel can be rechambered by a number of gunsmiths. The gun has been well greased and functions well, with pictures and videos provided (anything additional can be provided upon request).

 

Included with the gun are nearly $3,000 in spare parts and accessories. Most notably the original Irish Free State shipping crate, serialized and numbers matching to the gun and complete with inserts and wood cleaning rod with original rope handles in working order. The gun will come with spare parts such as a total of (4) barrels, total of (2) operating rods, spare (1) receiver pin, spare (1) firing pin, spare (1) complete pinion casing assembly, spare (1) return spring assembly in tin canister, spare (1) complete pinion assembly, spare (1) feed arm pawl, spare (1) cartridge guide spring, spare (1) feed pawl spring, tool (1) ruptured cartridges extractor, spare (1) matching bolt with operating stud and extractors, spare (1) trigger pin, spare (1) sear pin, spare (1) casing pinion hinge pin, spare (5) extractor two-piece, spare (1) ejector, spare (1) sear, spare (1) magazine stop pawl assembly three-pieces, spare (1) pinion pawl. Additionally, three 47rd drums will be included, as well as a Savage Arms Corporation .30 manual and a copy of the original sales receipt dated 5/31/62 reading, “1 Lewis Machine gun, UNSERVICABLE 29.95 A113”. The canvas and brass improvised Irish webbing sling will be delivered with gun. The buyer will also have the option of purchasing several thousand Greek HXP non-corrosive brass military surplus .303 that will come in bandoleers in the original cans. 

 

This example was transferred from Commonwealth inventory to the Irish Free State in 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty. In 1959, the Irish Defence Forces sold approximately 800 surplus Lewis guns to Sam Cummings and International Armaments Corporation (Interarms / Interarmco). These ~800 guns were turned into DEWAT machine guns by plugging the chamber before being sold to the public. The example comes with the original, number-matching DEWAT barrel that can be rechambered by a competent gunsmith.

 

Please view below a live fire of the gun from a few weeks ago, followed by several photos.

 

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE GUN AT THE RANGE AS WELL AS SEVERAL PHOTOS OF GUN AND PACKAGE

 

I will be making this example available for sale in the not-too-distant future, it is not available today. Any party with serious interest may privately message me their information for future reference.

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British M1914 June/July 1915 production BSA LMG. American Cavalier King Charles 2019 production Spaniel.