VICKERS MG ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT

Water-cooling and condensing equipment:

The Vickers was a water-cooled weapon and, therefore, there are many accessories that relate to this area.

Cans, Condenser, Steam

Cat No. LV6/MT1 37556W, List of changes A 4200, CANS, CONDENSER, STEAM - Demand as "Cans, petrol". For Guns, machine, Vickers

Cat No. C1/BD 6355, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Clip, pourer

Cat No. C1/BD 0261, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Clip

Cat No. C1/BD 0262, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Screw, clip

Cat No. Z2/ZB 12868, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Screw, clip, Nut, B.A., B.S., square, No. 1 x 3/8

Cat No. C1/BD 6362, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Screw, clip, Washer

The condenser can is a standard two-gallon petrol can with a brass filler assembled over the opening of the can. The filler is desgined to be insered into the filling hole of the gun casing and is attached to the can by means of a chaing and "S" hook. A clip is provided for its retention when not in use.
The cap of the can is secured against loss by a shackle consisting of a wire stirrup engaging the existing wire holds in the cap to which is attached a split pin and washer to form a swivel, and a length of brass chain, one end of which connects with the swivel and the other end to the "S" hook of the filler which is attached to an eye on the can below the cap.

Fillers, M.G., Mk. I

Cat No. C1/BD 0260, List of changes A 3312, FILLERS, M.G., MK. 1 - For petrol can condenser of Gun, machine, Vickers, .303-in., Mk. 1

Cat No. C1/BD 0261, List of changes A 3312, FILLERS, M.G., MK. 1, Clips

Cat No. C1/BD 0262, List of changes A 3312, FILLERS, M.G., MK. 1, Screws, clip - With nut and 2 washers

Cat No. C1/CA 0867, List of changes C 3928, POURERS, WATER CAN, MK. 1 - With chain and washer; for 2-gallon water can when used with Guns, machine, Vickers, .303-in., Mk. 1

Cat No. J2/JA 6543, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Pourer

Cat No. C1/BD 0195, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Pourer, Chain, 11 links

Cat No. C1/BD 2027, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Pourer, Hook, "S" M.G.

CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Pourer, Hook, "S" special

Cat No. C1/BD 6360, CAN, WATER, 2 GALLON, Pourer, Ring, swivel

Funnel (Rumoured to be Air Service)

Adapters

Cat No. C1/BD 0005, List of changes A7791 and C 2022, ADAPTERS, CONDENSER, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1 - For fixing to condenser boss on Mk. 1 gun; for use with Tubings, condenser, steam, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mks. 1B and 3

Tubings, Condenser, Steam

Five patterns of condenser steam tubing are provided for for use with Vickers .303-in. guns.
A brief description of each is given hereunder.
Tubing, condenser, steam, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. I "B".- Now obsolescent, consists of a 6-ft. length of flexible metallic tubing, to one end of which is soldered a brass elbow joint with a quick-release cap and spring for onnection to the adapter on the condenser boss of the gun. The adapter is permanently fitted and when the quick-release cap is connected the elbow joint is pressed, by the spring in the cap, into engagement with the steam outlet in the gun.
Tubing, condenser, steam, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. III.- Differs from the Mk. I "B" pattern only in that the flexible tubing is replaced with steam quality rubber hose, being connected to the elbow joint by means of a notched brass spigot fixed in the socket originally provided for the reception of the flexible tubing. The rubber hose is secured by copper wire binding.
The assembly of the two above-mentioned patterns of tubing to the gun is carried out as follows.
Apply the projections of the quick-release cap into the grooves of the adapter, pressing the cap inward, until the projections are free to rotate around the inner shoulder of the adapter collar, when, by reaction of the spring, they will automatically engage the locking recesses in the collar, located at 90 degrees to the grooves. Insert the free length of the tubing into the steam condenser can (see cans, condenser, steam) which should be about two-thirds full of water.
Note.- In order to avoid injury, the tubing should be disconnected from the gun when not required for use and, when possible, during transit.
Tubing, condenser, steam, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. II.- Patterns "A", "B" and "C" differ only in the length of the rubber hose, being 13-in., 24-in., and 16-in., respectively. The rubber hose (steam quality) is fitted with a Mk. II quick-release brass elbow joint, winged union nut and ferrule. The elbow joint has a notched spigot for attachment of the rubber hose and spring-operated catch which engages a groove in the underside of the gun condenser boss. Attached to the opposite end, by a notched spigot, is the brass ferule having a flange encircling the coned head which retains the union nut to the tubing. The brass union nut assembles to a roof fitting in the A.F.V.

Cat No. C1/BD 2671, List of changes A 7133, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 1B - 3/8-in. x 6-ft.; with Joint, elbow, quick-release, Mk. 1 with cap and spring

Cat No. C2/BG 0980, List of changes A 7771, TUBING, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. II, "A" - With Mk. II quick-release brass elbow joint with plunger and spring; and ferrule with union joint. With rubber hose 13-in. in length

Cat No. C2/BG 0981, List of changes B 174, TUBING, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. II, "B" - With Mk. II quick-release brass elbow joint with plunger and spring; and ferrule with union joint. With rubber hose 24-in. in length

Cat No. C2/BG 0982, List of changes B 174, TUBING, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS, .303-IN. M.G., MK. II, "C" - With Mk. II quick-release brass elbow joint with plunger and spring; and ferrule with union joint. With rubber hose 16-in. in length

Cat No. C1/BD 2672, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 3

Cat No. C1/BD 2673, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 3, Hose, rubber, 4-ply - 3/8-in. x 6-ft.

Cat No. C1/BD 2674, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 3, Joints, elbow, quick-release, Mk. 3

Cat No. C1/BD 2675, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 3, Spigots

Cat No. G2/GB 11186, TUBINGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., Mk. 3, Wire, copper - Demand as "Wire, copper, soft, No. 18 S.W.G."

Bags

Cat No. C2/BG 0005, List of Changes A7766, BAGS, WATER, M.G., MK. I, Rubber; with canvas cover; brass nozzle with plug, M.G. chain and 2 M.G. "S" hooks; and rubber washers large and small.

Cat No. C2/BG 0006, List of Changes A7766, BAGS, WATER, M.G., MK. I, Nozzles, With plug and large rubber washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0007, List of Changes A7766, BAGS, WATER, M.G., MK. I, Plugs, with M.G. chain and 2 M.G. "S" hooks, and small rubber washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0008, List of Changes A7766, BAGS, WATER, M.G., MK. I, Washers, rubber, large

Cat No. C2/BG 0009, List of Changes A7766, BAGS, WATER, M.G., MK. I, Washers, rubber, small

This bag is supplied for use in filling the barrel casings of Vickers M.Gs. in A.F.Vs. It consists of a rubber bag enclosed in a canvas cover having, at the top, a canvas flap with a large brass eyelet. A right-angled brass nozzle, with a screwed plug secured to it by a length of M.G. chain and 2 M.G. "S" hooks, is screwed into the mouth of the bag. The capacity of the bag is approximately 6 pints.

Cat No. C1/BD 0027, List of changes A 3312, BAGS, CONDENSER, STEAM, VICKERS .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1 - With carrying and closing straps

Bag, Nose, Mk. IV

Cooling-related gun components

AFV cooling parts

Cat No. C2/BG 0183, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. VII, Brackets, union, outlet, Mk. II

Cat No. C2/BG 0186, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. VII, Gaskets, bracket, outlet union

Cat No. C2/BG 0187, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. VII, Nuts, bracket, outlet union

Cat No. C2/BG 0211, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., Caps, Union - With disc. For Mks. VI* and VII guns

Cat No. M.T. 1 - Part No. 33824, List of changes B 3664, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., Discs, Cap, union - For Mks. VI* and VII guns. To be demanded as "Washers, fibre, round, ½-in. x 51/64-in. O.D. x 1/16-in. thick"

Cat No. C2/BG 0565, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., Balls, steam valve - For Mks. IV and V guns

Cat No. C2/BG 0816, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., Spring, Steam valve - For Mks. IV and V guns

Steam tubes

Cat No. C2/BG 0162, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. IV A, Tubes, Steam, No. 2 - Complete; with plain head

Cat No. C2/BG 0177, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. VI*, Tubes, Steam, No. 4

Cat No. C2/BG 0188, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., MK. VII, Tubes, Steam, No. 5

Cat No. C2/BG 0324, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., Screws, Keeper, Steam, Tube, Mk. I* - For Mks. IV B, VI, VI* and VII guns

Cat No. C2/BG 0401, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .303-IN., Tubes, Steam, No. 3 - Complete, with head recessed for keeper screw. For Mks. IV B and VI guns

Cat No. C2/BG 0471, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., MK. IV, Screws, Keeper, Steam tube, Mk. II

Cat No. C2/BG 0543, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., MK. V, Screws, Keeper, Steam tube, Mk. III

Cat No. C1/BD 0908, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., Screws, Keeper, steam tube, Mk. I - For Mks. I (N.I.V.) and II guns. To be demanded under "Guns, machine, Vickers, .303-in., Mk. I"

Cat No. C1/BD 0985, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., Tubes, Steam, No. 1 - For Mks. I (N.I.V.) and II guns - To be demanded under "Guns, machine, Vickers, 303-in., Mk. I"

Cat No. C2/BG 0826, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERs, .5-IN., Tubes, Steam, No. 2 - With valve assembled. For Mks. IV and V guns

Cat No. C2/BG 0834, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERs, .5-IN., Valves, steam tube - For Mks. IV and V guns
Sources:

War Office, 1940a; 1944c; 1949a
Specific source references can be provided if required.
This page is published by the Vickers MG Collection & Research Association - www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk