VICKERS MG ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT

Mountings and related equipment:

Mounting, Tripod, .303-in. M.G., Mk. IV

Cat No. C1/BD 2226, List of changes A 3312 and A 4201, MOUNTINGS, TRIPOD, .303-IN. M.G., MK. 4B

The mounting consists principally of a crosshead (a), elevating gear (b) and socket (c), mounted on three legs.
It is constructed to give 12 degrees elevation and 25 degrees depression at heights varying from 14½ inches to 30 inches from the axis of the gun to the ground. By arranging the position of the rear and front legs respectively, elevation may be given up to about 43 degrees and depression to 55 degrees. An all round traverse can be obtained.
The crosshead (a) to which the gun is pivoted, is formed with a pivot to fit into the socket (c) and an arm (d) which carries the elevating gear.
The elevating gear, which is actuated by a handwheel (e), consists of an inner and outer screw (right and left-handed) and a nut working within a tumbler (g). The tumbler is split and provided with a jamming bolt (h), by which the wear may be taken up. A chain secures the inner screw to the crosshead to prevent loss while travelling.
The socket (c) is bored to receive the crosshead and is provided with three legs (n), to which the legs are hinged; a jamming block and screw with handle (j) is attached to the front to secure the crosshead in any desired angle of traverse; the block works in a recess in the upper portion of the crosshead and prevents it from rising. Both faces of the rear leg and one face of each front leg are fitted with clutch plates having radial serrations to correspond with similar serrations on the faces of the leg joints. Joint studs with disc spring and jamming handle (e) are fixed to the front legs, by which the legs are securely clamped to the socket in the required position.
The legs (j,k) are of tubular steel, the lower ends being fitted with shoes (m) to steady the mounting on the ground, and the upper ends having a joint with radial serrations mentioned above. The rear leg is provided with a joint pin with nut and jamming handle (t).
On a portion of the periphery of the leg joints numbers are stamped at regular intervals so that when read in conjunction with a zero mark the relative position of the legs to their normal position may be readily seen.
A strap is fixed to the rear leg to secure the three legs during transport.
When firing, the ammunition box is placed on the ground to the right side of the gun.
Weight of mounting ... ... ... 48 lbs.
The Vickers gun can be fired from service mountings

The gun could be reversed on the mounting to give greater elevation for use in an anti-aircraft role.

Mounting, Tripod, .303-in. M.G., Mk. 5

Mounting, Tripod, Auxilliary, MG

This auxilliary mounted which is not intended to replace the Mark IV tripod, is for use as an alternative to it, and will in future be issued on the scale of 1 per machine gun, to cavalry and infantry units.

Mk. I

Mk. II

Mk. III

Monopod

Cat No. C1/BH 2031, List of changes C 3, MOUNTINGS, MONOPOD, VICKERs .303-IN. M.G., MK. 1

Adapter, Vickers MG, Mk. I

Cat No. C2/BG 0001, Lists of Changes A 9602, ADAPTERS, VICKERS, M.G., MK. I, With elevating gear joint pin. For mounting A.F.V. patterns of .303-in. and .5-in. Vickers M.Gs. on Mountings, tripod, .303-in. M.G., Mk. IV. For instructional purposes only. (War Office, 1944).

It is designed for mounting A.F.V. patterns of .303-in. and .5-in. guns on the Mk. IV .303-in. tripod mounting.

Mount, Field, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. I

The field mount is for use in conjunction with the No. 4 M.G. shoulder piece to enable the .303-in. Marks VI or IV to be used outside the vehicle in case of emergency.
It consists of a gun band secured to a saddle to which two telescopic legs are jointed.

Source: War Office, 1940

Cat No. C2/BM 0860, List of changes A 7766, MOUNTS, FIELD, VICKERS, .303-IN., M.G., MK. I - Consisting of saddle complete; and 2 legs each with hinge screw with split pin, clamping screw, shoe with pin, and spring clip with bolt and nut

Cat No. C1/BE 2451, ...Bolts, clip, legs - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C1/BE 2452, ...Clips, leg - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C1/BE 2458 and 2459, ...Legs - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C2/BG 0864, List of changes B 4255, ...Levers, clamping - With screw assembled. Also for Mountings, trench, M.G., Mks. I* and II

Cat No. C1/BE 2460, ...Nuts, bolt, clip, leg - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C1/BE 2462, ...Pins, Hinge, shoe - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. G2/GB 1550, ...Pins, Lever, clamping - To be demanded as "Steel, tool, rods, bright, No. 20"

Cat No. G1/GA 0821, ...Pins, Split, Screw, clamping lever - To be demanded as "Pins, keep, split, 3/32-in. x 1-in."

Cat No. G1/GA 0801, ...Pins, Split, Screw, hinge, legs - To be demanded as "Pins, keep, split, 1/16-in. x 1-in."

Cat No. C1/BE 2468, ...Screws, Clamping, legs - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C1/BE 2469, ...Screws, Hinge, legs - - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Cat No. C2/BG 0868, List of changes B 4255, ...Screws, Lever, clamping - With split keep pin. Also for Mountings, trench, M.G., Mks. I* and II

Cat No. C1/BE 2475, ...Shoes - To be demanded under "Mounts, field, Lewis, .303-in. M.G., Mk. III"

Local Pattern Mounts

Some of these were officially endorsed and included within Small Arms Training manuals.

Radial Twin Vickers A.A. Mounting

A specific Small Arms Training Manual is available for this mounting.

Mounting, Tripod, Bren .303-in. M.G.

This was adapted for use with the Vickers but does not seem to have found field use.

Pads for AFV use

Cat No. C2/BG 0870, List of changes A 7766, PADS, Cheek, M.G., No. 1 - Leather; stuffed with horsehair. With 2 steel clips and quick-release fastener. For Mks. IV A and IV B Vickers .303-in. M.Gs.

Cat No. C2/BG 0871, List of changes A 9478, PADS, Cheek, M.G., No. 2 - Leather; stuffed with horsehair. Consisting of inner pad with 2 steel clips and quick-release fastener; outer pad; and 5 snap fasteners. For Mks. IV A and IV B Vickers .303-in. M.Gs.

Cat No. C2/BG 0872, List of changes A 9478, PADS, Cheek, M.G., No. 3 - Leather; stuffed with horsehair. Consisting og inner pad with loop and strap; outer pad; and 5 snap fasteners. For Mks. VI, VI* and VII Vickers .303-in. M.Gs.

Cat No. C2/BG 0876, List of changes A 7766, PADS, Rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1 - Consisting of gunmetal body with spring catch and screw; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 8 securing screws.

Cat No. C2/BG 0877, ...Catches, spring, Mk. II - Also for No. 4 Shoulder-piece, M.G.

Cat No. C2/BG 0878, ...Screws, Catch - Also for Mks. I and II Guards, crank-handle, M.G. and Nos. 4 and 6 Shoulder-pieces, M.G.

Cat No. C2/BG 0879, ...Screws, Securing cover - Also for Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 Shoulder-pieces, M.G.

Cat No. C2/BG 0880, ...Washers, screw, cover - Also for Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 Shoulder-pieces, M.G.

Shoulder-pieces for AFV use

Cat No. C2/BG 0920, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 1, "A" - Consisting of gunmetal body weighted with lead; with spring catch; plunger and spring; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 10 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0921, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 1, "B" - Consisting of gunmetal body weighted with lead; with spring catch; plunger and spring; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 10 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0922, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 1, Screws, securing, cover

Cat No. C2/BG 0925, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 2 - Consisting of gunmetal body weighted with lead; spring catch; plunger and spring; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 10 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0930, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 3 - Consisting of gunmetal body; spring catch; plunger and spring; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 16 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0934, List of changes A 7766, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 4 - Consisting of aluminium body with spring catch and screw; and telescopic leg, comprising inner tube with plug and base, and outer tube with clamping screw with nut, washer and keep pin. For use in conjunction with "Mount, field, Vickers, .303-in. M.G., Mk. I"

Cat No. C2/BG 0877, List of changes B 6676, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 4, Catches, spring, Mk. II - To be demanded under "Pads, rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1"

Cat No. C2/BG 0935, List of changes B 6676, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 4, Screws, clamping - With nut, washer and keep pin

Cat No. C2/BG 0940, List of changes A 9863, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 5 - Consisting of gunmetal body; spring catch; plunger and spring; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 16 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0945, List of changes A 9863, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., No. 6 - Consisting of light alloy body; spring catch and screw; and sponge rubber pad with leather cover with 16 securing screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0946, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Catches, spring, Mk. I - For Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 shoulder-pieces and Mks. I and II Guards, crank handle, M.G.

Cat No. C2/BG 0947, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Plungers - For Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 shoulder-pieces

Cat No. C2/BG 0878, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Screws, Catch - To be demanded under "Pads, rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1". For Nos. 4 and 6 shoulder-pieces.

Cat No. C2/BG 0879, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Screws, Securing cover - To be demanded under "Pads, rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1". For Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 shoulder-pieces.

Cat No. C2/BG 0950, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Springs, plunger - For Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 shoulder-pieces

Cat No. C2/BG 0880, SHOULDER PIECES, M.G., Washers, screw cover - For Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 shoulder-pieces. To be demanded under "Pads, rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1"

Counterweights for AFV use

Cat No. C2/BG 0086, List of changes A 7793, COUNTERWEIGHTS, M.G., No. 1 - Consisting of lead weight; 2 securing plates and 4 bolts each with nut and keep pin. For use with Mk. I Vickers .303-in. M.G., in No. 3, Mks. II, II A, III and IV and No. 4, Mk. I M.G. mtgs.

Cat No. C2/BG 0087, ...Bolts

Cat No. C2/BG 0088, ...Plates

COUNTERWEIGHTS, Shoulder-piece, M.G. - For use with No. 3 M.G. shoulder-piece

Cat No. C2/BG 0089, List of changes B 1155, Lower - Lead; 6-lb.; with long and short screws

Cat No. C2/BG 0090, ...Screws, long

Cat No. C2/BG 0091, ...Screws, short

Guards

Cat No. C2/BG 0125, List of changes A 9863, GUARDS, Crank handle, M.G., Mk. I - Consisting of body with spring catch; and shield with catch, spring, and spindle with screw, nut and spring washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0126, ...Screws, shield spindle

Cat No. C2/BG 0127, ...Shields - With catch and catch spring assembled

Cat No. C2/BG 0128, ...Spindles, shield - With screw, nut and spring washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0129, ...Springs, shield catch - With 2 rivets

Cat No. C2/BG 0130, ...Washers, spring, shield spindle

Cat No. C2/BG 0131, List of changes A 9863, GUARDS, Crank handle, M.G., Mk. II - Consisting of body with spring catch; and shield with catch, spring and axis screw, with nut and spring washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0132, ...Screws, shield sprindle - With cap, nut and spring washer

Cat No. C2/BG 0133, ...Shields - With catch and catch spring assembled

Cat No. C2/BG 0134, ...Springs, shield catch

Cat No. C2/BG 0135, ...Washers, spring, shield spindle screw

Cat No. C2/BG 0946, Shoulder-pieces, M.G., Catches, Spring, Mk. I

Cat No. C2/BG 0878, Pads, rear-crosspiece, M.G., No. 1, Screws, Catch

Cat No. C2/BG 0140, List of changes A 7772, GUARDS, Fusee, Vickers, .5-in. M.G. - Consisting of adapter with screwed stud and wing nut; pad bracket; pad; and long and short pad pins

Cat No. C2/BG 0141, ...Adapters - With screwed nut and wing nut

Cat No. C2/BG 0142, ...Brackets, pad - With long and short pad pins

Cat No. C2/BG 0143, ...Nuts, wing

Cat No. C2/BG 0144, ...Pads - Leather, stuffed with horsehair

Cat No. C2/BG 0145, ...Pins, pad, long

Cat No. C2/BG 0146, ...Pins, pad, short

Cat No. C2/BG 0150, List of changes A 7766, GUARDS, Shoulder-piece, M.G., Mk. I - With hinge pin with keep pin, plunger and spring (unassembled). For use with Nos. 2 and 3 M.G. shoulder-pieces

Cat No. C2/BG 0151, ...Plungers

Cat No. C2/BG 0152, ...Pins, hinge - With keep pin (plain)

Cat No. C2/BG 0153, ...Springs

AFV gun mounting parts

Cat No. C2/BG 0544, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS, .5-IN., MK. V, Screws, Plate, cover, mounting base

Belt box carriers

Cat No. C1/BD 0136, List of changes B 3200, CARRIERS, BELT BOX, .303-IN. VICKERS M.G., MK. 3 - For Mtg., tripod, .303-in. M.G., Mk. 4B

Sources:

War Office, 1914; 1918; 1940a; 1944c; 1949a

Specific source references can be provided if required.