Saw a 30.06 Lewis Gun for sale over the weekend at a Fla Gunshow.
Sure, looked nice. Not the normal .303 either.
2 problems!
1st was $10,000!
2nd was the bolt was welded into the receiver. The $10,000. would have been very cheap if it had paperwork and bolt not welded in.
Other than my display of Bren tripods I did not see that many other major items of interest.
Later 42rocker
I wouldn't mind roarin' up a Lewis in .30. I had one in hand as a recruit that was perfect and .303, belonged to our regimental museum I think. Summer of 1974, and it was part of a display for a trooping of the colors. What a beauty. I take it the welded .30 cal would have still needed paperwork in Fla, because it's not cut to bits?
It reads like a pre-1968 era deactivated gun. If it's on the federal registry since the dewat registrations were $5 at the time, it can be rewatted to live by registering it for $200. If it's not on the registry, it's illegal in the complete configuration with welded bolt. ATF requires three torch cuts to the receiver, each removing .25" material to be legal as a parts kit. At that price, I'm guessing it must have the $5 dewat registration. If not, the tricky part is asking ATF to find it!
Brian
That was the other interesting question about paperwork.
Looking forward to the Oct show to ask that dealer more about it. Seems that he had just received it.
Jim
Was helping a friend in finding parts for a different 30.06 Lewis gun. He had his Class 7 and SOT paperwork and a dewatted 30.06 receiver to start with, but cancer got in the way before he finished. Good Guy, I miss him. I told him, no matter how much help I gave him etc. all I wanted to do was fire a few rounds when we finished.
I'm glad that you were able to fire a few rounds out of a Lewis gun.
Later 42rocker
I'd agree that it should be running and papered correctly. .30 cal ammo can be had.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
And you do...this one you speak of could be it.Quote:
Originally Posted by 42rocker
Jim
The one I was helping to restore, by getting parts etc. is gone to the winds due do my Friend passing on and I can't say that much nice about how the gun part of the estate was given off and such. Lightly said, someone blew it in my opinion. Which, only makes me want to say as you get older make plans, sell off or whatever.
Later 42rocker
question: were all 30-06 Lewis m/g's manufactured by Savage ?
Attempting to list all calibres that the Lewis gun was chambered: 303 Mk 7. 30-06, 6,5 and 7,7 Japanese. 6,5 Swede and 6,5 Dutch, 7,62x54r Russian, the Italians used the Lewis but not certain what calibers 6,5 or 8mm
add on any other calibers
Now I wish I had the "Belgian Rattlesnake"... To be able to refer.Quote:
Originally Posted by RCS
RCS
Was told that only 400 30.06 were made. Was told that by my friend that passed on.
Thanks for sharing that list.
Later 42rocker
They sold 38,040 Lewis aircraft MGs to Britain in 1940, and 1157 ground guns.
Near the end of WW1 and during the post war period a few attempts were made to increase the power and range of the 303 cal Lewis gun. One of the experimental 303 cartridges is shown in my photo next to a 303 Mark 7 cartridge. The case was lengthened and the bullet seated deeper into the case as these cartridges had to be the same length as the 303 cartridge to work in the drums. i have since lost the data on velocity.Attachment 132654Attachment 132655