Colt Ohio Ordnance Works OOW Self Loading Rifle Model 1918 BAR .30-06 Sprg
Sold For: $8,134.00
LSB#: 220526JR006
Make: Made For Colt by Ohio Ordnance Works
Model: 1918 Self Loading Rifle (SLR), BAR
Serial Number: C1918-00035
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Gas-Piston Operated, Detachable Box Magazine Fed Rifle
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT / SELF LOADING RIFLE / MODEL 1918 CAL. .30-06 / S/N C1918-00035” and with a rampant colt logo. The right of the bolt’s locking block is marked “P”.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a raised, banded base at the muzzle. The rear sight presents a fixed aperture when folded down. When folded up, there is a ladder sight with a sliding aperture, graduated from 2-16 in hundreds of yards. The rear sight is mounted to a base with protective ears, in-line dovetailed to the rear of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with commercial Model 1918 style checkering on the forend, steel buttplate and a sling swivel mounted to a sling plate in the belly (the other sling swivel is mounted to a band on the gas cylinder tube. The stocks have no notable wear or damage. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has no notable wear or damage. The stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99+% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. This rifle is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety selector lever on the left of the trigger guard. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in a Colt branded, leatherette, combination lock case with blue fabric-lined interior fit for the rifle, a total of two 20-round magazines, sling, and rampant colt branded cleaning kit, all included, as well as a lidded accessory compartment which holds instructions for the case and what we believe to be a takedown pin. The lid has a pocket holding an Ohio Ordnance Works FM 23-15 SA manual for the M1918A3 rifle and an unopened envelope from Ohio Ordnance Works marked “IMPORTANT / INFORMATION / REGARDING YOUR / 1918 B.A.R.”. Also included is a Colt and OOW branded, serial-matching Certificate of Authenticity dated June 1st 2015. The rifle came to us in its plastic sleeve and the case came in its own plastic sleeve, the whole kit stored in a cardboard box which fits the case well enough we believe it to be the original shipping box. The case and accessories are in Excellent condition. Please note, no magazines will be included for purchasers who reside where they cannot be legally transferred.
Our Assessment: Despite the immense breadth of his work, the BAR is one John Browning’s most iconic and forward-thinking designs. Intended to replace the long-recoil Chauchat, which didn’t function particularly well when converted to .30-06, and the Hotchkiss 1909 which was heavier than even the 16 pound BAR, Browning’s design was purpose-built for the issue cartridge, designed and built in America, and was more suitable for the Army’s intended use than either of the guns it replaced. The M1918 could be transported, operated and reloaded by a single man and was chambered for the standard .30-06 Springfield cartridge. It would go on to see service in the United States military through both World Wars, the Korean War and even saw some use in Vietnam. This example is a faithful reproduction made under Colt’s license by Ohio Ordnance Works. OOW was already well known for producing semi-automatic versions of the 1918A3 rifle, and there probably isn’t a better maker to choose for production of a Colt branded 1918 BAR. The production run of these rifles was limited to about 1,000 pieces and this is a particularly early example, serial number 35. It comes in its original case with all of its accessories, and it appears to have spent much more time in the case than out. The rifle is in Excellent condition, and while we don’t like to use the term “un-fired” for pre-owned guns, this one doesn’t have any sign of use that we can see. Whether you’re a Colt collector who has to have them all, a fan of the work of Ohio Ordnance, or can just appreciate one of the finer of John Moses Browning’s designs, this is a rare opportunity at a beautiful rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!
