New England Small Arms Corp. Browning Automatic Rifle BAR M1918A2 .30cal Pre-May Dealer Sample Only Machine Gun
$21,000.00
Status: In Stock / Please Call to Purchase
This Chester County Armory listing is for an Browning Automatic Rifle Model (BAR) M1918A2 in .30-06SPR that was manufactured by New England Arms Corp. This factory machine gun is a Pre-May dealer sample only model.
This beautiful piece of American military history was originally manufactured by the New England Small Arms Corporation, who was the predominant supplier of M1918s to the US Military during WW2. NESA was responsible for approximately 188,380 of the 208,380 total wartime production of these models for the military, or basically 90%. NESA was a rather interesting and unusual supplier for US arms production, as they weren’t a single company, but rather a consortium of various civilian companies in the Northeastern US that worked together to produce a model during wartime. Once WW2 was over and there was no longer a supplier contract for the M1918 in place, the group was dissolved.
This particular weapon was most likely exported out of the country by the US military, as NESA never produced a model for civilian sales, only for defense contract fulfillment to the US military. It was then likely reimported as a post 1968 machine gun in order to get the Dealer Sample Only designation by ATF for its designation in the NFA registry.
This Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A2 marked model features its original walnut stock and the fire-rate controls the A2 was known for. The barrel is flaming bomb proofed. Receiver and barrel are both “P” stamped. The overall condition on this model is excellent for an 80+ year old model. The metalwork appears to be all original finish with only minor handling and use marks observed. The wood stock and forearm are solidly intact, but do note minor use and handling dents and marks. The bore retains its rifling, but is slightly darkened from use. The bolt and carrier note minor wear from use, but the bolt, the bolt face, and the carrier all remain crisp and clean. The fire controls note only minor wear. All actions and mechanisms operate smoothly and appropriately.
This Pre May dealer sample only machine gun is currently on a Form 3. The current NFA Form 3 lists “Browning Arms Co” as the manufacturer and “1918A2” as the model.
