BRITISH SERVICE VICKERS GUNS

Gun, Machine, Vickers, .303-inch, Mk. VI*:

Cat. No. Introduction Obsolescent Obsolete Remarks
Section C.2
B.M.0175
B.M.0176		 L. of C. B.3369
57/Tanks/1606
28th July 1936		 L. of C. B.3369
57/Tanks/1606
28th July 1936		 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 B 3369, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS .303-IN., Mk. VI*

  • Cat No. C2/BM 0175, ...WITH L.H. FEED BLOCK
  • Cat No. C2/BM 0176, ...WITH R.H. FEED BLOCK
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0177, ...TUBES, STEAM, NO. 4

    Production information

    The Mk. VI, Mk. VI*, and Mk. VII Vickers MGs were the secondary armament for all Tanks in British Service until the gradual introduction of the Besa and Browning MGs in the early 1940s. This meant that they were being produced in line with the developments and demands of the Tank 'fleet'. As well as being produced from scratch, they were also being converted from Mk. I guns, either from guns that needed repair anyway or from new production stock. The majority of components were common to all guns in .303-inch.

    The following table sets out the production data for the Mk. VI, Mk. VI*, and Mk. VII Vickers. It is unclear from the information available whether references to Mk. VI also include Mk. VI* guns. Furthermore, the proportion split when covering multiple marks is unknown.

    Mk. VI, VI* and VII Vickers MG War Office Contract Information
    DateItemMakerQuantity and Other Details
    01.05.1935Vickers Mk VI, LH feedEnfield100
    17.06.1935Vickers Mk VI, LH feedEnfield8
    29.11.1935Vickers Mk VI, LH feedEnfield4
    25.09.1936Vickers Mk VI*, LH feed, from repair and conversion of Mk IEnfield or Weedon196
    29.09.1936Vickers Mk VIEnfield8
    29.09.1936Vickers conversion from Mk I to Mk VIEnfield8 for Iraq Mandate
    31.03.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedEnfield1,040
    19.04.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedEnfield60
    19.04.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedEnfield60 for India
    30.04.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedEnfield7 for India
    03.06.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedEnfield1 for India
    24.11.1937Conversion of Vickers Mk I to Mk VI, LH feedEnfield200
    16.12.1937Vickers Mk VII, LH feedMonotype Corporation, Climax Rock Drill & Mellor, Bromley Company498 (500 ordered)
    05.05.1938Vickers Mk I repair and Mk VI conversionEnfield28
    20.05.1939Vickers Mk VIIEnfield59
    14.09.1939Vickers Mk VIIEnfield69
    21.08.1940Vickers Mk VIEnfield83
    21.08.1940Vickers Mk VIEnfield18
    28.06.1941Vickers Mk VI and VIIMonotype Group502
    24.10.1941Vickers Mk VI and VIIVickers Armstrong150

    Sources:

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