I photographed this MG a couple of years ago at the Cobatton Combat Collection and it is in a glass case, so not easy to photograph. Is anyone able to confirm exactly what model it is please?
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I photographed this MG a couple of years ago at the Cobatton Combat Collection and it is in a glass case, so not easy to photograph. Is anyone able to confirm exactly what model it is please?
It's a Vickers .5 machine gun. Not sure which variant, have a look at http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk
Better still, it is totally legal to own without any form of licence in the UK too........... Yep....., due to the unavailability of ammunition. There are several other anomalies like this too.
More to the point is this.......... while we were persevering with the difficult to produce, over engineered x90% and heavy BESA and this .50 monstrosity, the US were quietly getting on with the magnificent M1919's and the big 50. No wonder our post war tank crews threw their teddies in the corner when the first of the new Centurions came out with........ yep....... the BESA! But not for long. The production Mk3's came with M1919's left over from the lend lease tanks we returned or otherwise disposed of!
It may be a Colt Vickers balloon gun chambered for the 11mm Vickers cartridge, during WW1 the French used the old black powder 11x59R Gras cartridge with a new smokeless loading and explosive bullet to arm the Nieuport 28 and SPAD 13 aircraft for use against German balloons. The 11mm Vickers machine guns were sold-off during the 1920's to the public by ads in the American Rifleman magazine, they were quite cheap.
photos shows the 8mm Lebel and 11mm Vickers (Western 1918 headstamp)Attachment 82666
Absolutely correct...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
A collector's cartridge here too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
100% correct, Nice looking cartridge .50 Vickers. Im hopeless with pictures but i do have one and an empty bundle wrapper. There were quiet a few packets turn up here in Australia quiet a few years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
First is .303 and then .5 Vickers...tall one is 12.7 and the .50 on the right. Yes, nice business like looking round.
It is a Vickers .5 cal, I remember now it being labeled on the display case but I don't believe that there was any further information as to exactly where it came from.
The .50 Vickers was used on a number of Canadian and British convoy vessels as an AA gun during WW II.
We also made some in Canada and the total number appears to be the worlds best secret.
The .303 Mk. VI was used on armoured cars and other AFV applications and they are far and few between on the outside.
The Mk. VI also had a cheek piece and butt pad as well as a bipod for "dismounted use".
The interesting thing with the Mk. VI is the feed mechanism is upside down with the belt release pawls on the top instead of the bottom.
The barrel is about three times as heavy as the standard Vickers as well.
Water connections are on the side and the standard hose will not fit at all.
Mk. VI AFV with bipod
Mk. VI AFV with cheek piece and butt pad
.50 From the the old PR collection.
That Boys AT Rifle Bipod sure got around!!
I've seen one of these in a large private collection, very cool things. I had never seen or heard of one before and only guessed at its Vickers heritage.
I hope the obsolete calibre (sec58 exemption) list continues as it is, as persistent rumours talk of a rather heavy planned redaction.
I wouldn't mind getting it's only the potentially large compensation bill that's held that one up!
Boys bipod...., yes, certainly did get around. The guts and elevating mech of it were copied straight into the 3.5" M20 rocket launcher we had until the late 60's or so
Looking at that ammo selection BAR, what was the .50 Vickers on tht right? Did it shoot the usual ammo mix? Ball, tracer, AP etc etc. We did have a couple of inert rounds to show with ours but only ball.
Didn't I rear somewhere that Vickers - or someone - wanted to use .55" Boys originally. There is something quite macho and invinceable about using a .50" MG. Probably not quite the same feeling of invincibility when you're on the other end of being hosed down by a .50 though!
Must be horrendous Peter, can't imagine what it must be like to be on the other side of that hail of death
That appears to be a PD projectile, that's sure as crap a fuse assembly at the sharp end... Here's what I have on the ammo, these don't look like the .5 Vickers though. The one in question isn't present.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
50 Vickers HV - General Ammunition Collector Discussion - International Ammunition Association Web Forum
Don't think it was mentioned, but the gun is a Vickers .5-Inch Mk. II.
.5-inch Mk II The Vickers Machine Gun
You're right. It was copied pretty much exactly a couple of years later for the M20 3.5" rocket launcher
Oooooooops, sorry, just repeated an earlier comment.........
"Tall one" looks like a .5" Vickers HV (high velocity). Used in Vickers class D mg. Made in quantity of about 100 guns exported to Siam , China and Japan.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
The 3rd ctg in pic post 7 looks like a 12.7x81 SR a derivative of the British .5" Vickers. It was extensively used by Japan and Italy to 1945.
It's a .50 Vickers too.Quote:
Originally Posted by green
The very tall one is a 12.7 for the DSHk heavy gun.Quote:
Originally Posted by green
1) No , notice the semi rim, looks like HE Japanese/Italian HE load
2) Not 12.7 Russian, note case length of "tall one" about 20 mm longer than 50 BRG which has case length of 99mm. 12.7 DshK has case length of 108mm. .5" Vickers Type D had case length of 120.3mm.
"Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges" Huon
Maybe...
Google "cannon machineguns ammunition"
Click .5 Vickers Gun and
Click Photo Gallery
Great pics and write up on military ammo including .5 Vickers and .5 Type D
Still think it is a 12.7 Russian?Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle