BRITISH SERVICE VICKERS GUNS

Training variants on the training accessories page.

Data summary

Before the Great War

The Vickers first began service as the 'Mk. I' from the 26th November, 1912. This was the service pattern gun that remained largely unchanged for its entire service life. It was, by far, the largest Mark produced and the majority of parts in other Marks came from it.

The Great War

At the start of the Great War, the Vickers Mk. I in production varied only slightly from that adopted in 1912. However, it soon began to change. For the first few years, these changes were small and affected component parts and the amount of lightening that took place on that gun - the increased lightening increasing production time and cost. The completely lightened guns have a 'five-arch' top cover and any area where the thickness of the metal was greater than required, it was milled out so that only the minimum would remain. This even went to the extent of boring the centres of pins so they were hollow and saved precious-few ounces. The gun shown was produced in May, 1915, and displays all of the early milling. Also shown is a rear cross-piece that has been milled out. Later production examples show solid areas.

As the demand for machine guns increased even more, it was decided that a smooth barrel jacket could be produced quicker that the fluted jackets. Therefore, from late-1917 some Vickers MGs were manufactured with smooth barrel jackets. They are similar in appearance to the Second World War production guns.

Between the Wars

The large numbers of guns produced during the Great War satisfied the appetite for replacements and, with refurbishment, were able to keep the British Army equipped throughout this period.

However, with the increased mobilisation in the 1930s, it was necessary for the War Office to start placing orders for further refurbishment and the commencement of further production. All were in .303-inch.

Inter-War War Office Contract Information

Date	Item	Maker	Quantity and Other Details
24.04.1935	Vickers Mk I overhaul and repair	Enfield	100
13.06.1935	Vickers Mk I	Vickers Armstrong	200
13.06.1935	Vickers Mk I overhaul and repair	Enfield	450
29.10.1935	Overhaul Vickers Mk I to "S" or "SM" standard	Enfield	110
16.04.1936	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	110
06.07.1936	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	500
29.09.1936	Vickers converted from Mk I to Mk VI	Enfield	8 for Iraq
16.06.1937	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	500
24.11.1937	Conversion of Vickers Mk I to Mk VI LH feed	Enfield	200
29.12.1937	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	28
05.05.1938	Vickers Mk I repair and Mk VI conversion	Enfield	500
08.09.1938	Vickers Mk I	Vickers Armstrong	200
28.03.1939	Vickers Mk I	Vickers Armstrong	30
11.05.1939	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	500
01.08.1939	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	200

Australian production

It was also during the inter-war period that Australia began to manufacture Vickers MGs at its Small Arms Factory, Lithgow.

The Second World War

The ramp-up of Vickers MG repair and production increased with the outbreak of the War. From this time, some orders placed were referred to as 'Ground Pattern' guns, presumably to avoid confusion with Vickers Gas Operated Mk I guns. All were in .303-inch unless otherwise mentioned.

Second World War War Office Contract Information

Date	Item	Maker	Quantity and Other Details
15.12.1939	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern	Vickers Armstrong	600 at £118/10/- each
15.12.1939	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern	Vickers Armstrong	320
18.12.1939	Vickers Mk I repair	Enfield	3,000
12.02.1940	Vickers MG 7.92mm	supplied by Edgar Grimaud	750 for Turkey
16.04.1940	Vickers MG	supplied by Edgar Grimaud	326
09.07.1940	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern	Vickers Armstrong	49
14.10.1940	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern	Vickers Armstrong	920
11.05.1941	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern, Class "C"	Vickers Armstrong	133, differs slightly from service pattern
11.05.1941	Vickers Mk I Ground Pattern Land Service	Vickers Armstrong	16
12.06.1941	Vickers MG	Vickers Armstrong	2,000
26.07.1941	Vickers MG	Vickers Armstrong	1,888
07.08.1941	Vickers MG	Vickers Armstrong	500
10.03.1942	Vickers MG	Vickers Armstrong	190
13.07.1942	Vickers Mk I w/Tripods	2,900
04.01.1944	Vickers MG	Vickers Armstrong	3,000

There were no more orders placed after this period. It is assumed that repairs were being carried out by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers or being scrapped. No more Vickers MGs were produced in the UK. Production did continue to take place in Australia for a short time.

Post-Second World War

In 1968, the Vickers Mk. I was declared obsolete and removed from British Armyservice. It was such a momentous occasion that it warranted an article on the front page of The Times on January 09, 1968.

Sources:

This page is published by the Vickers MG Collection & Research Association - www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk