Collectors Corner Model 1918A3 BAR .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle with USGI Parts
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $8,247.00
Built by Collectors Corner, the predecessor to Ohio Ordnance Works, this Model 1918A3 is an early semi automatic interpretation of the legendary Browning Automatic Rifle. Manufactured in 1996, serial number 086 combines a new production semi automatic receiver with refinished USGI surplus components, including a Winchester barrel dated February 1919. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield and retaining approximately 97 percent of its metal finish, this early 1918A3 remains in Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
Identification
MMA#: 260612DT001
Make: Collectors Corner, predecessor to Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc.
Model: 1918A3 Self Loading Rifle, BAR
Serial Number: 086
Year of Manufacture: 1996
Barrel Date: February 1919
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Gas Piston Operated Semi Automatic Rifle with Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 24 Inches, approximately 27 Inches to End of Muzzle Device
Markings
The top of the receiver is marked:
“SELF LOADING RIFLE MOD. 1918A3 / U.S. CAL. 30 COLLECTORS CORNER / CHARDON, OH / PATENT PED. / S/N – 086”
The left side of the receiver is marked “F” and “S” at the Fire and Safe positions of the safety lever.
Of particular interest is the Winchester barrel. The top front is marked “W / flaming bomb / 2-19”, identifying it as a Winchester barrel dated February 1919. The top of the barrel shank also bears a flaming bomb proof and another faded proof.
Additional component markings include:
Bipod: “6147337”
Bipod Wingnuts: “5/16”
Bipod Feet: “B7312236”
Front Sight Protector: “C-64-177 / F”
Sights / Optics
The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a banded base and protected by a hood.
The rear sight uses a U notched blade in its lowered position. When raised, it becomes a ladder sight with an adjustable aperture. A lower dial provides click adjustable windage. The complete sight assembly sits within protective ears and is dovetailed and screw set to the rear of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition
The rifle is fitted with a hardwood forearm and composite buttstock.
The buttstock incorporates a parkerized steel buttplate with storage door, flip up shoulder plate, and lower sling swivel. A corresponding front sling swivel is mounted beneath the piston tube ahead of the forearm.
The hardwood forearm shows several small scrapes and compression marks, most of which are light. The composite buttstock has scuffs and a few light scrapes, along with what appear to be factory sanding marks at the seams on its upper and lower surfaces.
The storage compartment door in the buttplate is stuck closed and was not forced open during evaluation.
Length of pull measures approximately 13 1/4 inches to the rear of the shoulder plate and 13 inches to the rear of the buttplate. The metal plates show moderate wear.
Overall stock condition: Very Good Plus to Fine.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original, with USGI surplus components refinished for the build
This rifle retains approximately 97 percent of its metal finish. The metal surfaces exhibit scattered scuffs and light scrapes. Some screw heads show use, while the principal markings remain well defined. Markings toward the rear of the barrel are partially faded.
Overall condition: Very Good Plus to Fine.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright, and the rifling remains deep. There is fouling along with scattered light erosion in the grooves. In the original evaluator’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly during mechanical evaluation. The rifle was not test fired. As with any previously owned firearm, its suitability for use should not be inferred solely from a mechanical function check.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
The rifle is fitted with a green canvas sling and bipod. The bipod exhibits some surface erosion.
Also included are:
Carry handle
Flash suppressor
One 20 round magazine
The unmarked magazine appears to function correctly.
The 20 round magazine is not available where prohibited by state or local magazine capacity restrictions.
Our Assessment
Few American military firearms are as immediately recognizable as the Browning Automatic Rifle. Officially adopted as the Rifle, Caliber .30, Automatic, Browning, M1918, the BAR emerged from John Moses Browning’s extraordinary period of military firearms development during the First World War.
The original M1918 was intended to provide American infantry with portable automatic fire and saw its first combat service during the closing months of World War I. The basic BAR system would subsequently evolve through several configurations and remain associated with American military service for decades.
This rifle offers a very different way to collect that history.
Rather than an original select fire military BAR, this is a Collectors Corner Model 1918A3, an early closed bolt semi automatic rifle produced in Chardon, Ohio. Collectors Corner was the predecessor to Ohio Ordnance Works, which would become particularly well known for its semiautomatic BAR pattern rifles.
The configuration combines a purpose built semi automatic receiver with original USGI surplus components, giving the rifle much of the appearance, size, handling character, and component history associated with the military BAR while operating as a semi automatic rifle.
What makes this particular example especially interesting is its early production and componentry. Manufactured in 1996, it carries the low serial number 086. More significantly, its 24 inch Winchester barrel is marked with the Winchester “W”, flaming bomb ordnance marking, and “2-19” date.
That February 1919 barrel provides a tangible connection to the original era of BAR production. Although the complete rifle itself dates to 1996, the presence of a century old USGI Winchester barrel and other surplus components gives this build considerably more historical character than a rifle assembled entirely from newly manufactured parts.
The traditional BAR configuration is represented throughout, including the substantial 24 inch barrel, protected front sight, ladder and aperture rear sight, bipod, flip up shoulder plate, sling, carry handle, and flash suppressor. Chambering remains the historically appropriate .30-06 Springfield.
Condition is also strong for an early example. Approximately 97 percent of the parkerized metal finish remains, with scattered scuffs, light scratches, and wear. The bore retains deep rifling with bright lands and rates 9 out of 10 despite some fouling and scattered light erosion in the grooves. The hardwood and composite furniture remain in Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
For the U.S. martial arms collector, there are several distinct areas of interest here: the BAR design itself, early Collectors Corner production, the connection to what became Ohio Ordnance Works, the low serial number, and the presence of original USGI components including that February 1919 Winchester barrel.
It is a compelling bridge between two eras of American firearms history: John Browning’s original First World War design and the modern effort to recreate one of his most famous military arms as a semi automatic collector rifle.
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