*British, WWII - c.1939, Vickers Mk I .303 Heavy Machine Gun, Vickers-Armstrong Crayford, Mk IV Tripod Dated 1941, Transit Chests, Sight, Belt & Accessories, EU Deactivated*
An early Second World War Vickers Mk I .303 calibre heavy machine gun, serial number V993, manufactured by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., Crayford (V.A.C.), mounted on its original Mount Tripod M.G. Mk IV, numbered 3913 and dated 1941, together with original transit chests, ammunition box, belt, deflection sight, sight pouch and associated equipment, complete with modern Birmingham Proof House EU deactivation certificate.
The gun retains its correct water-cooled jacket, feed block, rear sight assembly and mounting socket, the water jacket stamped: "V.993 / V.A.C. / Broad Arrow", "FTR MA 52" , the V.A.C. marking denoting manufacture by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., Crayford, Kent, serial number V993 being consistent with early Second World War production, probably 1939–1940, the gun certainly in service by 1941. The FTR MA 52 stamp indicates Factory Thorough Repair at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory, Australia, in 1952.
Further markings adjacent to the rear sight, including: "Crown / MA / '42", "MA '41", are Lithgow Small Arms Factory inspection and component date marks, confirming Commonwealth service during the early war period before later refurbishment.
The feed block is marked: "V303." confirming .303 British calibre.
The tripod is the correct brass Mount Tripod M.G. Mk IV, stamped: "MOUNT TRIPOD M.G. MK IV", "No. 3913 1941" with working elevation and traverse gear.
Accessories include:
- Steel ammunition box marked "BOX BELT VICKERS .303 MG No.10, N&G / V / 1945". Canvas ammunition belt
- Deflection sight assembly marked "MA 41"
- Sight pouch marked "POUCH F.B.D. II"
- Two original wooden transit chests marked "C1/BD … Vickers, CHEST"
A very complete and correct service set, showing wartime manufacture, Commonwealth refurbishment and long service use.
Approx. Measurements – Barrel length: 740 mm. Overall gun length approx. 112 cm. Tripod spread approx. 90 cm.
History Note:
The Vickers Mk I machine gun, adopted by the British Army in 1912, became one of the most reliable heavy machine guns ever produced and remained in service through both World Wars and into the 1960s. Derived from the Maxim design, the Vickers used a water-cooled barrel jacket allowing prolonged sustained fire, making it ideal for defensive and indirect fire roles.
Production at the Vickers-Armstrong Crayford factory increased rapidly at the outbreak of the Second World War, and low V-prefix serial numbers are consistent with early wartime manufacture, the present gun being in service by 1941 as evidenced by the dated tripod and Lithgow inspection markings.
The marking: "FTR MA 52" shows the gun underwent Factory Thorough Repair at Lithgow, Australia, a common practice for Commonwealth weapons retained in service after 1945.
The Tripod Mk IV mount was the standard heavy mounting for the Vickers throughout both World Wars, allowing precise elevation and indirect fire using deflection sights.
Complete sets retaining tripod, chests, sight and belt equipment are increasingly scarce.
*Condition*
Good service condition overall with wear consistent with military use.Finish worn but markings clear throughout including serial V993, V.A.C. stamp, MA refurbishment marks and tripod markings. Tripod complete with elevation mechanism present. Transit chests, ammunition box and belt showing expected age and use. Sight and pouch present. Deactivated to current EU / UK specification with Birmingham Proof House certificate dated 2025. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Please contact the office prior to purchase if you'd like to arrange collection.
RQMBEOOXCGOO_5624232436
