VICKERS MG ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT
Load carrying equipment for transporting the Vickers MMG and equipment:
For more information on the history and development of load carrying equipment, please go to Man-Carrying.
Bar Carrying Maxim Gun on Tripod, Mark I
The bar is of bamboo, with a leather strap, 1 inch by 22 inches, attached by copper wire at the middle. It is for moving guns on tripods short distances without dismounting the gun.
In use, the bar is placed under the rear end of the barrel casing, and secured by the strap. The gun and mounting can then be removed by three men - one at each end of the bar, and one to hold either the rear leg of tripod or crosspiece of gun.
| Length |
3 ft. 6 ins. |
| Weight (about) |
2 lbs. |
Carriers, Ammunition
Cat No. A4/AD 0150, List of changes C 3474, CARRIERS, Ammunition, Vickers M.M.G., Type A - Web; to carry 500 rounds (War Office, 1948c)
Cat No. A4/AD 0151, List of changes C 3474, CARRIERS, Ammunition, Vickers M.M.G., Type B - web; to carry 250 rounds (War Office, 1948c)
1945 Example
1955 Example
Water-can web carrier
Cape, Machine-gunners
British manufactured
Australian manufactured
Case, .303-inch. Vickers Gun, Mark II
The case is used to convey the gun in the G.S. limbered wagon on the line of march; it is made of leather with a lid secured by three quick release straps, and is fitted to hold the stores detail below:-
To contain:-
The case differs from the previous mark in being made longer in order to take the blank, or ball, muzzle attachments, the wood chocks are differently arranged to prevent injury to the gun and the position of the cleaning rod is arranged so that the handle is on the right-hand side.
The Mark I Case when modified so that the gun with muzzle attachment can be carried, will be designated Mark I*.
Case, spare gun barrel and cleaning rod
Cat No. C1/BD 0165, List of changes 16708, CASES, SPARE BARREL AND CLEANING ROD, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 2 - For Guns, machine, Vickers, .303-in.
The case is a leather tube 34.5 inches long by 1.6 inch diameter (internal measurements) pointed at one end, and fitted with a leather cap and strap at the other. The case is also provided with buckles for securing to the tripod hanger of .303-inch M.G., packsaddlery.
The example shown below was manufactured in 1960.
Cat No. C2/BG 0066, List of Changes A 7772, CASES, SPARE BARREL, VICKERS .5-IN. M.G., MK. I - Leather; with cap and closing strap.
Transit chests
Cat No. C1/BD 0200, List of changes A 3644 and C 2732, CHESTS, BARREL, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1 - Without fittings
Cat No. C1/BD 0202, List of changes C 2732, CHESTS, BARREL, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1, B - With fittings; for 50 Vickers barrels
Cat No. C1/BD 0203, List of changes C 2732, CHESTS, BARREL, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1, B, Battens, bridged, middle - 8 each chest
Cat No. C1/BD 0204, List of changes C 2732, CHESTS, BARREL, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1, B, Battens, bridged, top and bottom - 4 each chest
Cat No. C1/BD 0220, List of changes A 3312, CHESTS, RING, HOLDING-DOWN, M.G., MK. 1 - For 2 rings
Cat No. C1/BD 0221, List of changes A 3312, CHESTS, SHIELD, M.G., MK. 1
Cat No. C1/BD 0222, List of changes A 3312 and C 3336, CHESTS, .303-IN. MK. 4B TRIPOD MOUNTING, MK. 1
Cat No. C1/BD 0225, List of changes A 3645, CHESTS, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 2, "A"
Cat No. C1/BD 0226, List of changes B 2210, CHESTS, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3, "A"
Cat No. C1/BD 0228, CHEST, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3A, Hasp
Cat No. C1/BD 0229, CHEST, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3A, Turnbuckle
Cat No. C1/BD 0227, List of changes B 2210, CHESTS, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3, "B" - Fitted in addition to take Jack, assembled to barrel of Lewis M.G.
Cat No. C1/BD 0228, CHEST, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3B, Hasp
Cat No. C1/BD 0229, CHEST, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 3B, Turnbuckle
The Chests, Vickers or Lewis .303-in. M.G., Mk. III "B" (and III "A") for Mk. I .303-in. guns are of wood, the lid being hinged, and fastened with two hasps and turnbuckles. A rope handle is attached to each end by a cleat. The chock, which is provided for the muzzle end of the gun, is made reversible in order to meet the difference in size of the barrel casing of the Vickers gun and the radiator casing of the Lewis gun. A hinged fitting supporting the underside of the gun, is also arranged to accommodate the variations between the two patterns. A metal strip secures the canvas at the back.
The contents of the chest is arranged for a Vickers Mk. I gun is as follows:-
The weight (empty) is approximately 38 lb.
STOWAGE DIMENSIONS
|
|
Length overall, inches |
Depth, inches |
Width, inches |
| Chest, Vickers or Lewis .303-in. M.G. |
55.125 |
11.875 |
10.500 |
Cat No. C1/BD 0228, List of changes A 9923 and C 2732, CHESTS, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., Hasps - Also for Chests, Bren .303-in. M.G., Mks. 1 and 1* and Chests, Besa (Sec. C 2)
Cat No. C1/BD 0229, List of changes A 9923 and C 2732, CHESTS, VICKERS OR LEWIS, .303-IN. M.G., Turnbuckles - Also for Chests, Bren .303-in. M.G., Mks. 1 and 1* and Chests, Besa (Sec. C 2)
Cat No. C2/BM 0075, List of changes A 9478, CHESTS, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. II - Wood; for one Mk. IV A or IV B gun
Cat No. C2/BM 0076, List of changes A 9478, CHESTS, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. IV - Wood; for one Mk. IV A, IV B or VI gun
Cat No. C2/BM 0077, List of changes B, CHESTS, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. IV* - Wood; for one Mk. IV A, IV B, VI or VI* gun
Cat No. C2/BM 0078, List of changes B, CHESTS, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. V - Wood; for one Mk. IV A, IV B, VI, VI* or VII gun
The Chest, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. V, is designed so that all patterns of A.F.V. .303-in. guns can be accomodated. The chest is similar in design to the Mk. III "B" Vickers and Lewis Chest but approximately ½-in. wider and has appropriate fittings to take the gun required. The Mk. IV Chest, designed for the Mk. IVA, IVB or VI guns and modified to Mk. IV* to take the Mk. IVA, IVB, VI or Mk. VI* guns became obsolescent by the introduction of the Mk. V chest.
STOWAGE DIMENSIONS
|
|
Length overall, inches |
Depth, inches |
Width, inches |
| Chest, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. V |
47.375 |
10.625 |
9.500 |
Cat No. C2/BM 0079, List of changes A 7772, CHESTS, Vickers, .5-in. M.G., Mk. I - Wood; For one Mk. I (N.I.V.) or Mk. II gun
Cat No. C2/BM 0080, List of changes B 461, CHESTS, Vickers, .5-in. M.G., Mk. II - Wood; For one Mk. V gun
Leather handles on the gun
Harness, Carrying, Infantry
Further information on this item is available from Karkeeweb.com
Sledges
Cat No. A3/AC 5584, List of Changes C, SLEDGES, M.M.G. - Nansen sledge with M.G. mounting (War Office, 1948b)
Carrier, Manpack, G.S.
A manual on the use of this item is available for free download on the manuals page.
Everest carrier
Cat No. A4/AD 0160, List of changes C 3474, CARRIERS, Everest, Airborne - Steel frame, chrome leather, folding platform and sides; previously listed as Carriers, Everest, Mk. 3 (War Office, 1948c)
Cat No. A5/AE 0066, CARRIERS, Everest, Mk. 2 - Steel; tubular frame; folding platform with chrome leather straps (War Office, 1948a)
Covers
Cat No. C2/BG 3034, List of changes B 2951 and B 4596, COVERS, Breech, M.G., No. 1, Mk. I - Canvas; for Vickers M.G. in No. 10 M.G. mtg.
Cat No. C2/BG 0095, List of changes A 7766 and B 4596, COVERS, Muzzle, M.G., No. 1, Mk. I - Canvas, with leather strap
Cat No. C2/BG 3040, List of changes B 2951 and B 4596, COVERS, Muzzle, M.G., No. 2, Mk. I - Canvas; for Vickers M.G. in No. 10 M.G. mtg.
Oil can case
Cat No. C1/BD 0160, List of changes A 9233, CASES, CANS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1 - With Straps, leather, 1-in. x 45-in. Sec M 3 (MC 8311). To hold: 2 Cans, oil, lubricating, ½-pt. Sec F 2 (FA 10902) and 2 Cans, half pint or 4 cans, oil, M.G., Mk. 1
Cases
The lineage of this particular item is not known completely as there is little reference in the documents available. Some refer to it (incorrectly) as a "Bag, Trench, M.G." It has the correct loops for hanging on the packsaddlery, yet does not appear in any relevant documentation for that purpose.
Sources:
War Office, 1940a; 1944c; 1949a
Specific source references can be provided if required.
