This is an excellent example of a WWI-era original Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) as originally manufactured by the Marlin-Rockwell Corp. Originally developed in late 1917, and manufactured by Colt, Winchester and Marlin-Rockwell, this one being from the latter, it was designated the Model 1918 automatic rifle. They were originally issued to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France during WWI and later reissued during WWII and Korea to both the Army and USMC. Several thousand were also provided to Great Britain during WWII under the Lend-Lease program. They were extremely reliable and very accurate fully automatic rifles/light machine guns. Based on the serial number and barrel date, it was manufactured in July 1918 and was probably sent to Britain fairly early on. The right side of the receiver has a distinct British "Crown/GP" proof. This beautiful example retains its original brush blued receiver and trigger assembly with the bright blue the barrel and gas tube assembly. It is fitted with the original oil finish walnut stock and forend with the bolt mechanism still in the white. It has its original early parts and has not been converted into the later 1918A2 model. It still retains its original earlier fire control mechanism marked "F (semi-automatic), A (full-automatic) and S (safe)" with no magazine protection wings on the sides of the trigger housing and the original cross-hatched/checkered forend with a smooth semi-grip walnut stock, no bipod, and the very early small cylindrical flash hider. The top of the receiver is stamped with a Cross-Cannon Ordnance proof followed by "BROWNING MACHINE RIFLE/- U.S. MODEL OF 1918 -/- MAN'F'D. BY MARLIN ROCKWELL/ 35828/-PATENT APPLIED FOR-". The breech end of the barrel has a small "Shell and Flame" Ordnance proof with the British acceptance proof on the right side as noted above. The top front end of the barrel is also stamped with "M/Ordnance Proof/7-18" indicating manufacture by the Marlin company in 1918. This wonderful example has the standard 1917 pattern adjustable rear sight. It is complete with one 20 round magazine. This is an excellent example of an original all blued, WWI era, British proofed, Marlin-Rockwell Browning Automatic Rifle.

Excellent with 98% of the original blue finish overall showing only minor edge and high spot wear, with the internal bolt components correctly still in the white as noted. The forend is in excellent condition with nice distinct checkering on the sides. The buttstock is in very fine condition with minimal handling marks overall and its original oil finish; however, there is a slight stress/age crack on the left side directly in the center of the stock starting from the rear of the receiver that extend towards the buttplate for approximately 5 inches. It is not open, nor does it extend through the wood. A really nice super high condition early Marlin-Rockwell BAR automatic rifle. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.