Established during World War II, the New England Small Arms Corporation was a joint effort by a number of smaller American manufacturers, which came together to manufacture the 1918 BAR for American forces. Tooling originally used by Winchester and Marlin-Rockwell for WWI was distributed to the individual firms (which included Boston Wire Stitcher/Bostich and A.G. Spaulding), which produced components to be assembled at a shared facility in Rhode Island. Like many other small civilian firms who took their first crack at armaments during WWII, the Corporation performed admirably, producing over 180,000 BARs for the war effort, which would have seen service on every American-manned front and in the hands of any Allied nation receiving Lend-Lease aid or similar support. At war's end, the Corporation disbanded, with the individual members returning to their pre-war commercial endeavors. At heart, the 1918A2 is Browning's then-groundbreaking WWI-era machine gun, which was the first weapon light and mobile enough to fill the "squad automatic weapon" role, a niche it would fill for a number of decades and multiple American wars, being one of the signature firearms of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the early stages of the Vietnam War, and the "Gangland" days of American Prohibition. Hooded blade front and flip-up peep rear sight, with a folding bipod held on by the muzzle device, "ROT II/9-52" marked barrel, "P" proofs on the barrel and receiver, and "WS", "crossed cannons" and "SAH" stamps on top of the receiver. An importer marking has been added to the left side of the receiver. The trigger guard is equipped with the A2 pattern guide wings, and the "F A S" selector group is configured for open bolt operation at semi-auto (F), full auto (A), and safe (S), with a spring-loaded plunger to keep the operator from accidentally putting the weapon on safe when switching to full automatic. The handguard is smooth hardwood construction, with a synthetic buttstock fitted with a steel buttplate and a flip-up heel plate. Includes a green canvas sling, two extra magazines, and a manual.
Very good as arsenal refurbished, with 60% of the thin parkerized finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, shallow pitting concentrated on the receiver, and scattered handling marks. The furniture is very good, with mild dents and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a restricted, National Firearms Act (NFA) Class 3, Fully Automatic Weapon, that is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479, National Firearms Act. This weapon is currently registered as being "LIMITED TO USE AS A SALES SAMPLE (Pre-86)" and as such can only be purchased by an FFL with a Class 2 or Class 3 SOT License, restriction under 18 U.S.C 922(o) Law Enforcement use for demonstration, sales samples purposes only.
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