Lot 1496: Rock Island Armory M60 Machine Gun, Class III/NFA

Description:
Developed in the late 1950s, the M60 was designed as a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG), a single weapon to replace as many different .30 caliber machine guns in the Army inventory as possible. The M60 was deployed as the chief infantry machine gun for Vietnam, along with a variety of air, ground, and water vehicle mountings. While other designs started to fill the infantry niche from the 80s onward, the M60 is still a frontline automatic weapon with American and allied armed forces. This example is built around a receiver made by Rock Island Armory (located near, but not connected to, the Rock Island Arsenal). The barrel is equipped with a fixed blade front sight, elongated bird cage flash hider, and swiveling bipod. The receiver trunnion is fitted with the quick release hardware for the barrel and folding ladder rear sight, with the manufacturers markings on the left side and bottom of the receiver. Fitted with a ventilated barrel shroud, ribbed forearm and pistol grip, and a plastic buttstock with a flip-up shoulder rest. Included with the lot is a tripod, T&E unit, and manual. Provenance: The Al Walker Collection

Rating Definition:
Excellent, with 98% plus original matte phosphate finish, showing areas of minor wear and light handling marks overall. The furniture is in excellent condition as well. Mechanically very good. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.