Name this HMG, please.

[Flying10uk]

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?

Information

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[Brit plumber]

It's a Vickers .5 machine gun. Not sure which variant, have a look at http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk

[Peter Laidler]

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!

[RCS]

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

[browningautorifle]

a Vickers .5 machine gun

Absolutely correct...

the unavailability of ammunition

A collector's cartridge here too.

[mike1967]

It's a Vickers .5 machine gun

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.

[browningautorifle]

First is .303 and then .5 Vickers...tall one is 12.7 and the .50 on the right. Yes, nice business like looking round.

[Flying10uk]

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.

[Warren]

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.

[Brit plumber]

That Boys AT Rifle Bipod sure got around!!