BRITISH SERVICE VICKERS GUNS

Gun, Machine, Vickers, .303-inch, Mk. IV B:

Mk. VI B

Cat. No. Introduction Obsolescent Obsolete Remarks
Section C.2
B.M.0165
B.M.0166
L. of C. A.7771
70/MG/159
15th May 1930
L. of C. A.9478
70/MG/198
17th August 1934
L. of C. C.2022
57/SA/1385
24th August 1944
With L.H. or R.H. feed blocks. Tank Pattern. Converted from Mk. I

List of changes A 9478, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS .303-IN., Mk. IV B, - With No. 3 steam tube and Mk. I* steam tube keeper

  • Cat No. C2/BM 0165, ...WITH L.H. FEED BLOCK
  • Cat No. C2/BM 0166, ...WITH R.H. FEED BLOCK

    Production information

    The Mk IV A and Mk IV B Vickers MGs were, alongside the 3-Pounder, the only armament that the Royal Tank Corps had fitted to its Tanks. These were eventually replaced by the Mk. VI, Mk. VI* and Mk. VII, but did co-exist with those for some time. All A.F.V. Vickers MGs were eventually declared obsolete in 1944 when they were completely replaced by the Besa and Browning MGs.

    The table below provides a small amount of manufacturing data towards the end of the Mk IV A and Mk IV B life and is an indication of the numbers concerned when compared to data on the Mk. VI, Mk. VI* and Mk. VII.

    Mk. IV A and IV B Vickers MG War Office Contract Information
    DateItemMakerQuantity and Other Details
    01.07.1935Modifications to Vickers Mk IVEnfield2
    16.01.1936Vickers Mk IV A and B repairEnfield30
    21.08.1940Vickers Mk IVEnfield27

    The last entry indicates a new production; however, this may be a transcription error in the primary or secondary source as the Mk IV A and B were obsolescent by this time - it would be more feasible to read as the Mk VI.


    Sources:

  • CIA, 1950
  • Hobart, 1971
  • Skennerton, 1988
  • War Office, 1944c
    This page is published by the Vickers MG Collection & Research Association - www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk