Rapid Fire 1919A4 .308 Belt-Fed Semi-Automatic with Tripod, Seat, Spare Bar
SOLD FOR: $4,250.00
LSB#: LSB250723CA120
Make: Rapid Fire (Troy, Ohio)
Model: 1919A4
Serial Number: 3499
Year of Manufacture: Modern Assembly
Caliber: .308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Belt-Fed
Markings:
The right side plate is roll-marked “RAPID FIRE TROY OH / 1919A4 CAL .308 / SER#3499.” The top cover is marked “7.62” with a proof-style square and inspection marks. The rear sight base and ladder are both calibrated for 7.62 NATO, graduated from 200 to 1800 meters, and marked “SG.”
Barrel Length: 24” (two included – both excellent)
Sights / Optics:
Equipped with a hooded post front sight and a fully adjustable tangent rear sight graduated in meters.
Stock Configuration & Condition:
The gun is mounted in a perforated barrel shroud fitted with a carry handle and a rear spade-style grip. It includes a heavy-duty tripod, the long steel traversing and elevation arm, and a folding padded gunner’s seat. The included hardware remains solid with only light finish wear from handling and storage.
Magazine / Belt / Accessories:
Included are two .308 barrels (both with bright bores, sharp rifling, and no visible erosion), the complete Lafette-style tripod with seat and support arm, a large steel transit chest with fitted foam interior, and one auxiliary box — plastic — containing lamp and electrical leads. The marked metal box, labeled “Leuchte, Instrumenten THZ 1 SE / M. Hensoldt & Söhne Wetzlar / C.1985,” housed originally an illumination instrument set used with MG3-style optics. The smaller plastic box contains cables and connectors consistent with a field light or sight-illumination kit.
Type of Finish: Parkerized Gray-Black
Finish Originality: Original to Assembly
Overall Condition:
The gun retains approximately 95% of its finish with scattered light handling marks and minor assembly wear. The tripod retains about 90% of its finish and the transit case shows roughly 85%, consistent with field use and storage. All components appear structurally sound and mechanically solid.
Mechanics:
The gun is semi-automatic, built on a properly assembled 1919A4-type receiver by Rapid Fire in Troy, Ohio. The bolt, top cover, and feed assembly all function smoothly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Our Assessment:
This is a beautifully presented semi-automatic 1919A4 belt-fed rifle in .308, built by Rapid Fire of Troy, Ohio, and accompanied by an outstanding set of accessories including a spare barrel, complete tripod assembly, and the original transit chest. Both barrels have excellent bores, and the overall condition suggests careful use and handling.
The M1919A4 design traces its lineage to John Browning’s pioneering recoil-operated machine gun series. Originally chambered in .30-06, the postwar conversions to 7.62x51mm NATO allowed these guns to remain in service well into the Cold War era. The included illumination and instrument boxes, marked by Hensoldt of Wetzlar, reflect the optical support gear commonly paired with later MG3-series mounts, tying this ensemble closely to the transitional lineage between Browning’s original design and its German successors.
This complete system — gun, spare barrel, tripod, accessories, and matching storage hardware — makes for an exceptional display or collector-grade example of one of the world’s most iconic belt-fed machine gun designs. So bid high and bid firm. I encourage you to take a look at the condition of the revolver in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
