**COLT MODEL 1914 DIGGER MACHINE GUN IN 303 BRITISH (C&R).

SN 1427. 303 British. 25-1/4″ bbl. This is a Colt model 1914 digger equipped with side cocking steel cable lanyard assembly as manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces. Includes an orig brass headed tri-pod with leather covered rear seat, an orig wooden ammunition box with green 250 round cloth belt which has unmarked steel tabs. This exceedingly fine specimen is marked “MODEL 1914 COLT AUTOMATIC GUN MANUFACTURED BY COLT’S P.T.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT USA”. Bbl is clearly marked “CAL. 303” “BROWNINGS PATENTS PATENTED IN THE UNITED STATES JULY 30. AUGUST 20.1895”. On left side of receiver just below rear sight the following is engraved “JPL T AZ85653″, which indicates that at one time this arm was in the possession of a noted firearms enthusiast in Arizona. Mechanism functions smoothly when operated by hand. Cable and cocking system are in good, functioning order. Feed lever articulates properly however belt indexing mechanism does not turn. Chamber is welded shut. Without actually performing the work it is difficult to determine if this chamber can be made serviceable again, but this cataloger is confident chamber can be restored to a firing condition. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dolf Goldsmith collection; The class III weapons formerly on loan to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine. Over 90% lustrous blue finish, thinning to bare metal at high points with some spots of corrosion on interior lever of action and some slight pitting at gas port ring. Cocking cable and action in extremely fine condition. Wooden grips have pleasing brown color and some nicks and handling marks. Bolt face appears to have been partially ground and firing pin is protruding and mushroomed due to striking welded chamber, all restorable. Ammunition box is cracked on left side about 6″ horizontally from where it attaches to tripod but this could be glued. Opposite side has a brass plate riveted to inside which would protect inside of box from pointed ends of cartridges. Orig slide on wooden cover has lost about 2” of its slotted retaining ridge but this does not affect its functionality. Slides loosely into retaining recesses. Cloth belt is in good, serviceable condition. Tri-pod retains 70% of its orig olive green paint with balance being dark patina. Bronze head in extremely fine condition with some green verdigris at forward edge. Mechanism articulates properly. Black leather seat is cracked and a portion of left side is broken and missing yet seat is still serviceable. These extremely rare specimens with “cable cocking” mechanisms are examples of efforts to minimize exposure of soldiers to enemy fire. Guns so equipped afforded the soldier the ability to cock weapon without exposing his upper torso. With appropriate restorative effort this gun could become the centerpiece of an early automatic arms collection. 4-51793 JWK9 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1028

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1028	$18,400.00	COLT MODEL 1914 DIGGER MACHINE GUN IN 303 BRITISH (C&R). SN 1427. 303 British. 25-1/4″ bbl. This is a Colt model 1914 digger equipped with side cocking steel cable lanyard assembly as manufactured by Colt for Canadian Forces. Includes an orig brass headed tri-pod with leather covered rear seat, an orig wooden ammunition box with green 250 round cloth belt which has unmarked steel tabs. This exceedingly fine specimen is marked “MODEL 1914 COLT AUTOMATIC GUN MANUFACTURED BY COLT’S P.T.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT USA”. Bbl is clearly marked “CAL. 303” “BROWNINGS PATENTS PATENTED IN THE UNITED STATES JULY 30. AUGUST 20.1895”. On left side of receiver just below rear sight the following is engraved “JPL T AZ85653″, which indicates that at one time this arm was in the possession of a noted firearms enthusiast in Arizona. Mechanism functions smoothly when operated by hand. Cable and cocking system are in good, functioning order. Feed lever articulates properly however belt indexing mechanism does not turn. Chamber is welded shut. Without actually performing the work it is difficult to determine if this chamber can be made serviceable again, but this cataloger is confident chamber can be restored to a firing condition. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dolf Goldsmith collection; The class III weapons formerly on loan to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is extremely fine. Over 90% lustrous blue finish, thinning to bare metal at high points with some spots of corrosion on interior lever of action and some slight pitting at gas port ring. Cocking cable and action in extremely fine condition. Wooden grips have pleasing brown color and some nicks and handling marks. Bolt face appears to have been partially ground and firing pin is protruding and mushroomed due to striking welded chamber, all restorable. Ammunition box is cracked on left side about 6″ horizontally from where it attaches to tripod but this could be glued. Opposite side has a brass plate riveted to inside which would protect inside of box from pointed ends of cartridges. Orig slide on wooden cover has lost about 2” of its slotted retaining ridge but this does not affect its functionality. Slides loosely into retaining recesses. Cloth belt is in good, serviceable condition. Tri-pod retains 70% of its orig olive green paint with balance being dark patina. Bronze head in extremely fine condition with some green verdigris at forward edge. Mechanism articulates properly. Black leather seat is cracked and a portion of left side is broken and missing yet seat is still serviceable. These extremely rare specimens with “cable cocking” mechanisms are examples of efforts to minimize exposure of soldiers to enemy fire. Guns so equipped afforded the soldier the ability to cock weapon without exposing his upper torso. With appropriate restorative effort this gun could become the centerpiece of an early automatic arms collection. 4-51793 JWK9 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1028 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium**, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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**COLT MODEL 1914 DIGGER MACHINE GUN IN 303 BRITISH (C&R).