Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic original Browning M1917A1 Display Machine Gun, complete with an original WWII configured Tripod! It was built using original WWII Type issue parts on a BATF compliant non-firing display receiver, making this a 100% legal display machine gun. This receiver was created using replica right side plate with reproduced markings along with a replica left side plate, both of which have none of the functional components of the real thing, and are made from low grade steel. It looks like these were combined with an original water jacket with trunion, along with front and rear top covers, rear plate pistol grip, and bottom plate, riveted and screwed together to complete the dummy receiver. As such it is totally legal to own without a license of any kind.

The interior is fitted with a fabricated inert hollow bolt attached to the bolt handle, and no other internal components. There is also no barrel installed in the water jacket. The tripod is not dated, but most likely WWI or interwar production, and then was given the M1917A1 updates for service during WWII.

The display machine gun is in great shape, finished with a lovely matte gray finish that looks somewhat like phosphate / Parkerization. It has an intact and fully functional rear sight, and the top cover can be opened to inspect the replicated bolt. It still has both the front and rear water plugs, though we do not know if the internals for the water jacket such as the steam tube are still present.

The M1917A1 tripod and cradle are offered in very good condition, and as far as we can tell, it is fully functional and complete. We checked all the adjustments, the pintle latch, and so forth, and all appear to work, with the only missing part being the cross pin for the rear mounting point. The original data plate on the rear leg is unfortunately missing, as are the leather tie straps that would be retained under it. There is however a marking on bottom of the central hub, added when it was updated for WWII:

211337
1917 A1
MOUNT
TRIPOD

This same information is stamped into the rear leg next to where the data plate was originally installed. The tripod also does look to possibly have have had some repairs and parts replaced during WWII service.

All in all this is a wonderful display set of a very hard to find WW2 U.S. Machine Gun made famous by Sergeant John Basilone (November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945). This would make a fantastic addition to any WWII collection, and really looks great!

More on Sergeant John Basilone
Basilone was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the nation's highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in World War II.

During the Battle for Henderson Field, his unit came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3,000 soldiers from the Japanese Sendai Division. On October 24, 1942, Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades, and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns that fought for the next two days until only Basilone and two other Marines were left standing. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He then repaired and manned another machine gun, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. As the battle went on, ammunition became critically low. Despite their supply lines having been cut off by enemies in the rear, Basilone fought through hostile ground to resupply his heavy machine gunners with urgently needed ammunition. When the last of it ran out shortly before dawn on the second day, Basilone held off the Japanese soldiers attacking his position using his pistol. By the end of the engagement, Japanese forces opposite their section of the line were virtually annihilated. For his actions during the battle, he received the United States military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

Afterwards, Private First Class Nash W. Phillips, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recalled from the battle for Guadalcanal:

Basilone had a machine gun (M1917) on the go for three days and nights without sleep, rest, or food. He was in a good emplacement, and causing the Japanese lots of trouble, not only firing his machine gun, but also using his pistol.

History of the Browning M1917:

The M1917 Browning machine gun is a heavy machine gun used by the United States armed forces in World War I, World War II, Korea, and to a limited extent in Vietnam; it has also been used by other nations. It was a crew served, belt-fed, water-cooled machine gun that served alongside the much lighter air-cooled Browning M1919. It was used at the battalion level, and often mounted on vehicles (such as a jeep). There were two main iterations of it: the M1917, which was used in World War I; and the M1917A1; which was used thereafter. The M1917, which was used on some aircraft as well as in a ground role, had a firing rate of 450 rounds per minute; the M1917A1 had a firing rate of 450 to 600 rounds per minute.

The Model 1917A1 was again used in the Second World War, and was primarily used with the M2 ball, tracer, and armor-piercing ammunition introduced just prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Some were supplied to the UK for use by the Home Guard since all production of the .303 Vickers were needed to resupply the equipment abandoned during the Fall of France. The M1917's weight and bulk meant that it was generally employed as a fixed defense or as a battalion or regimental support weapon. At the fierce battle of Momote Airstrip in the Admiralties, the US Army's 5th Cavalry machinegunners killed several hundred Japanese in one night using their M1917 Brownings; one gun was left in position after the battle as a memorial to the desperate struggle.