Aiming Lamps

Early aiming lamps and boxes

‘Siege’ lamp

‘Siege’ lamp with aiming mark cover

Lamps, Aiming

There are two patterns of aiming lamp in existence, the Mk. II (obsolescent) and the Mk. III which is the present service pattern. Both patterns are housed in wooden boxes which are stencilled with the appropriate designation.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940

Mark II

The Mk. II aiming lamp consists of two lamps which are suitably housed in the box and connected to the batteries. A switch is provided which can be operated to illuminate either lamp separately or both lamps together, with an adjustable resistance to regulate the amount of light shown by the lamps. When in use the two lamps are fitted to the aiming posts, a length of cable housed on a drum in the lid of the box allowing electrical contact to be maintained when the box is positioned some distance from the post. The cable is wound by means of a folding handle on the side of the box.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2050, List of changes A 9233, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2 – Used with Posts, aiming, M.G., Mk. 1; for night firing. In box containing: Bulbs, elec., 2.5 volt O (Sec. W.2) (Qty. 4); Lamps, No. 1; Lamps, No .2; Reels (for cable); Resistances, adjustable; Spikes (for cable) (Qty. 2); Spindles; Switches; Wire, elec. Q.22, in lengths of 30 yds. (Sec. W 2) (Qty. 2). Without: Batteries, dry, Y, Mk. 2 (Sec. W 2)
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2051, List of changes A 9233, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Boxes – Wood; 1-ft. x 8¼-in. x 8 9/16-in.; with bayonet catch.
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2052, List of changes A 9919, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Lamps, No. 1 – 4½-in. dia.; with glass window, wood back with terminal plates, fibre cleat and screwed sockets for bulbs.
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2053, List of changes A 9919, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Lamps, No. 2 – 4½-in. dia.; with glass window, wood back with terminal plates, fibre cleat and screwed sockets for bulbs.
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2054, List of changes A 5293, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Reels – 10 3/8-in. long; dia. of cheeks 3½-in.; dia. of core 7/8-in., with brass ring contact plates
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2055, List of changes A 5293, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Resistances, adjustable – On wood base; 2½-in. dia. 9/16-in. thick, with contact arm
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2056, List of changes A 5293, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Spikes – ¼-in. dia.; 10½-in. long, projection at bottom end, eye at top end
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2057, List of changes A 5293, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Spindles – ¼-in. dia.; 1-ft. ½-in. long, with folding handle, one end with threaded hole
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2058, List of changes A 5293, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Switches – 4 5/8-in. x 2¼-in. x 3/16-in.; 3 terminals, 4 contact studs and switch knob with contact plate

Mark III

The Mk. III aiming lamp has a hinged ground spike which folds against the box and is retained by a leather strap. The lamp is a proprietary electric cycle lamp, an amber celluloid disc being supplied to diffuse the light when necessary. Unlike the Mk. II, the box is left with the aiming post when in use, the lamp being operated by means of a 30 yards length of plaited fishing line. The line is connected to a switch rod which operates a ceiling type switch in the box which, in turn, is connected by flexible leads to the battery and lamp. A steel chain 30-in. long has one end secured to an eye in the box, the other end having a spring hook. The chain can be used for anchoring the box to any convenient post or object if the nature of the ground does not permit the use of the ground spike.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2059, List of changes B 172 and B 994, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3 – Used with Posts, aiming, M.G., Mk. 1 or Mk. 3 for night firing of M.G., and Posts, aiming, B.C. and 3-in. mortar for night firing of M.L. 3-in. mortar (Sec. M 1). In box, containing: Lamps; Lines, switch with hook and winder; Switches. Without: Batteries, dry, Y, Mk. 2 (Sec. W 2); Bulbs, 3.5-volt, P (Sec. W 2).
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8756, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Bands, strengthening, lid
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8758, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Boxes
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8759, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Brackets, corner
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8760, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Brackets, lamp
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8762, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Chains, 30-in.
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2060, List of changes B 172, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Discs, amber
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8738, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Discs, paper-white, semi-opaque
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8763, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Glasses
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8741, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Handles
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8742, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Hasps
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8743, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Hinges
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8744, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Hooks – For chain and switch line
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2061, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Lamps – Assembled
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8766, List of changes B 172, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Lamps
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8730, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Leads, flexible, double, 36-in., free length
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2062, List of changes B 172, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Lines, switch – 30-yds. long; assembled
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8745, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Reflectors, lamp
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8739, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Rods, switch, with stop
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8746, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Spikes, ground
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8747, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Staples
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8749, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Straps, securing, amber disc
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8748, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Straps, securing, ground spike
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8750, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Studs, strap
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2063, List of changes B 172, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Switches – Ceiling type
  • Cat No. C1/BD 8751, LAMPS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Winders, switch line
  • Cat No. W2/WB 0024, BATTERY, DRY, MK. 2
  • Cat No. W2/WB 0067, BULB, 4 VOLT, P
Lamp, Aiming, MG, Mark III

Lamp, Aiming, MG (Aust), Mk I

An Australian innovation to save carrying the aiming lamp box and folding post. Their innovation was born from their use of the Vickers in the Pacific tropical theatre. The war diaries of the 2/2 (Aust) MG Battalion describe its development and eventual usage.

Other lamps available

Lamp, Electric, No. 1

This lamp was used in conjunction with the bayonet for the .303-inch SMLE No. 1, Mk. III to create a basic aiming lamp. The war diaries of the Australian Machine Gun Battalions serving in the Far East record its use. This was later formalised into the Lamp, Aiming, MG (Aust), Mk I and the design changed.

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Lamp, Electric, Traffic, No. 2

CollectionInsurance231

Posts, Aiming, M.G.

Prior to the introduction of a formal aiming post, some machine gun manuals contained diagrams for units to make their own from wood. The war establishments for machine gun units contained carpenters or at least some other tradesmen that would have been able to construct these with ease.

Wood aiming post

Although used to support the aiming lamp, the aiming post could be used by itself as an aiming mark in daylight, or even low-light conditions.

There are three patterns of aiming post in existence, the Mks. I and III being used in conjunction with the aiming lamps.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940

Mark I

The Mk. I (now obsolescent) is used with the Mk. II aiming lamp (also obsolescent) and consists of a telescopic stem which has at the bottom, a base plate with three ground spikes. The top portion of the stem slides in the lower portion and can be adjusted and secured at any convenient height. For day firing, a “U” bracket, having a disc fitted with a bulls-eye, is provided at the top of the stem, whilst for night firing the lamp is assembled to the bracket. A canvas cover, retained by a leather lace, is provided to cover the disc when the lamp is in use.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2510, List of changes A 9233 and B 995, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I – Consisting of tubular stem with base plate with 3 spikes and clamp screw; inner rod with lamp and disc bracket, disc, canvas disc cover and clamp collar with screw; for use also with Lamps, aiming, M.G., Mk. II; for night firing
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2514, List of changes A 9919, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I, Covers, aiming disc – Canvas. With leather lace 4½-in. long
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2515, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I, Discs, aiming – With bulls eye assembled; with 2 securing screws
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2518, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I, Screws, clamping – Standard No. 3 wing thumbscrew
  • Cat No. C1/BD 5217, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I, Screws, securing, aiming disc – No. 4 B.A. x 3/8-in. countersunk head
  • Cat No. Z2/ZB 11891, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. I, Screws, securing, aiming disc – Demand as “Screws, B.A., countersunk. head. No. 4 x 3/8-in.”

Mark II

The Mk. II is used only by cavalry for day firing and consists of a stem constructed from two rectangular steel bars. The lower bar is pointed at the bottom to act as a ground spike, and has a stud at the top, whilst the upper bar is slotted to fit over the stud and clamped by means of a wing nut screwed on to the stud. It is fitted at the top with a white disc having a blank central disc 1-in. in diameter. The post can be folded in two for carrying purposes. No provision is made on this post for a lamp. The approximate weight is 8 ozs.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2511, List of changes A 8852, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2 – Consisting of upper stem with aiming disc with securing screw; and lower stem with fixed stud and wing nut; for cavalry regiments
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2512, List of changes A 8852, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Discs, aiming
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2513, List of changes A 8852, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Nuts, wing
  • Cat No. Z2/ZB 12167, List of changes A 8852, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 2, Screws, securing, aiming disc – Demand as “Screws, B.A., bright steel, cheesehead, No. 2 x 7/8-in.”

Mark III

The Mk. III is designed for use with the Mk. III lamp; it has a triangular base with three ground spikes. The stem consists of two rectangular steel bars which are hinged by means of a stud and wing nut; a white aiming disc is riveted to the upper bar. A bracket riveted to the bottom of the bar allows the post to be used with the aiming disc in a lower position, this being possible by rotating the upper bar until it is at right angles with the lower bar and laying the post on its side, the bracket acting as a foot in conjunction with the side of the triangular base. The lamp is fitted at the extreme top of the post, and can be used with the post in the high or low positions. for storage the stem of the post is folded, a projecting bracket riveted on to the bottom of the stem protecting the aiming disc from damage during transit.

Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, 1940
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2522, List of changes B 995, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3 – Consisting of lower stem, with base plate with 3 spikes; folding upper stem, with disc, leg and fixed stud with wing nut; for use also with Lamps, aiming, M.G., Mk. 2 or Mk. 3, for night firing
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2523, List of changes B 995, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Discs, upper stem
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2523, List of changes B 995, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. III, Discs, aiming – With 2 securing screws
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2524, List of changes B 995, POSTS, Aiming, M.G., Mk. III, Screws, securing, aiming disc – No. 2 B.A. x 5/16-in. round head
  • Cat No. Z2/ZB 0434, List of changes B 995, POSTS, AIMING, M.G., MK. 3, Screws, securing, aiming disc – Demand as “Screws, B.A., roundhead, No. 2 x 5/16-in.”
Post, Aiming, Mark III

Sources:

  • War Office (1940), Machine Gun Handbook (Technical), Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1, London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
  • War Office, 1921; 1944c; 1949a; 1953 Specific source references can be provided if required.