Revell H-291 by speedgraflex

[Stuart]

Sorry to hear that Bruce, moving home is so blooming stressful.

[Stikpusher]

Sorry to hear that Bruce, moving home is so blooming stressful.

Now that is some typical British understatement

[BlackSheep214]

Sorry to hear that Bruce, moving home is so blooming stressful.

Now that is some typical British understatement

LOL....

[speedgraflex]

Thanks all, sincerely. I did find the spools of rigging for this project, but I can’t recall where I put them after finding them.

[Duke Maddog]

Thanks all, sincerely. I did find the spools of rigging for this project, but I can’t recall where I put them after finding them.

Man that happens to me all the time! I feel you man!

[speedgraflex]

From Sheffield PD’s Fb page:

What is the weirdest item in your evidence room?

For us the answer to that is a 1918 Colt Vickers WW1 aircraft machinegun. This item came into our possession in 1989 and has been in our basement ever since.

This firearm would of been mounted on biplanes much like the one pictured.

And before you ask, it cannot be sold.

Update:
Since so many people have asked about the history of the firearm, here is the story as it has been passed down within the department. The original report from 1989 has since been destroyed in accordance with the applicable records-retention schedule, so we cannot independently verify every detail.

As the story goes, officers responded to a welfare check in 1989. During the call, an officer asked about the firearm and was told, essentially, “That’s my machine gun.” It was subsequently determined that the firearm had not been properly registered with the federal government prior to May 19, 1986, and it was confiscated.

Not a particularly exciting story, but that is how this unusual piece of history reportedly came into the department's possession.

In 2022 or 2023, we contacted the ATF regarding the firearm. At that time, we were advised that it would have to be destroyed or demilitarized by cutting it, even if it were to be donated to a museum. Given its historical significance, that was not an option we were willing to pursue.

In 2025, we contacted the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton and had some discussions regarding a potential transfer. Because it is a federal institution, we were hopeful there might be a lawful avenue to preserve and transfer the firearm intact. Unfortunately, those discussions ultimately did not result in a transfer.

In 2026, we began discussions with the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., regarding the possibility of preserving the firearm in a federal museum collection. Those conversations are ongoing, and our hope is ultimately to see this piece preserved and displayed as part of our nation's history.

Our position is pretty simple:
We don't want to destroy it or cut it apart. This firearm has survived intact since approximately 1918. Everything still appears to function, and the components appear to be original.

We have had discussions with the ATF regarding its status. Because of the federal restrictions involving machine guns and the firearm's registration history, simply registering or transferring it today is not presently an available option. Federal law does, however, contain specific provisions concerning possession and transfers involving governmental entities.

And since the Sheffield Lake Police Department has no plans for an armed aircraft anytime soon, our goal isn't to use it. Our goal is to preserve it.

Hopefully, its next chapter will be in a national museum where future generations can appreciate a remarkable piece of American and military history.

[Stuart]

That's a really interesting story Bruce - talk about red tape LOL! I do hope they can get it transferred to somewhere that will preserve it.

[speedgraflex]

Hi Stuart! Yes, I thought at first that was pure click bait but I checked out the PD before posting! When I first moved here I assisted an artist who wanted to build a sculpture from real handguns which is really impossible; you can take a weapon and get it in operating condition no matter what you do to its frame. All it takes is a decent machinist.

[BlackSheep214]

Great story but sad to see the huge amount of red tape involved - even if it’s to be rehomed in a respectable museum like the Smithsonian or the US Air Force Museum in Dayton. I just don’t understand if they understand the historical aspect of it. Sound like the feds want to erase it by cutting it up rather use logic it can be housed in the Smithsonian or other Military Museum (Ottawa has one)

Maybe contact the Military Musuem in Ottawa, Canada. They might be interested in it. Just trying to throw some sort of life line to save a WW1 MG.

[speedgraflex]

I agree, Tom. Hopefully they will get the gun to a museum. I’m not sure how rare this is, but it’s in amazing condition.