The tools and equipment of a Machine Gun Section were carried in different methods depending on the likelihood of breakage or frequency of maintenance. Therefore, items commonly needing repair or cleaning would be carried with the gun team – usually by the No. 2 – while those less common, and as replacements for the gun teams, were carried within the Section transport.
The first item of carrying equipment used was the wallet, which was contained within the case, which was carried at a scale of 1 per gun. Initially the case (with the wallet inside) was carried in the box at a level of 1 per gun but as the Great War progressed, the box was designated on a scale of every two guns, and therefore a Section or Sub-Section item.
It was a requirement to check and clean each part once per year, including barrels being greased (Army Order 471 of 1921), and lock springs of guns and spare locks were never to be left in the “cocked” position.
The references for the photographs shown below are period manuals and other documents.
For a full explanation on the development of the contents, please watch our YouTube video:
The variations that we have found, and demonstrated below, are:
- September 1914
- December 1914
- 1917
- April 1918
- September 1918
- 1923
- 1930
- 1939
- 1941
- 1942
- 1942 (Australia)
- 1944, including Amendment No 1 and Amendment No 2
- 1946
- 1951
September 1914

The source material for September 1914 consists of an inserted sheet from the spare parts wallet and then the case and box listings from the December 1914 handbook. At this time, one case, wallet and box were carried per gun.
December 1914

1917
The Spares Wallet was carried one per gun within the Spare Parts Case and the ‘First-Aid’ Spare Parts Case was carried one per gun by the No. 2 of the MG Detachment. The box was still carried per gun.

April 1918
The Spares Wallet was carried one per gun within the Spare Parts Case and the ‘First-Aid’ Spare Parts Case was carried one per gun by the No. 2 of the MG Detachment. The box was carried with each pair of guns.

September 1918

1923

1930
The Spares Wallet – carried one per gun within the Spare Parts Case. The Spare Parts Case – carried with the gun at all times when in action, by the No. 2 of the Sub-Section. The Spare Parts Box: Carried one per section.

1939
The Spares Wallet – carried one per gun within the Spare Parts Case. The Spare Parts Case – carried with the gun at all times when in action, by the No. 2 of the Sub-Section. The Spare Parts Box. Carried one per section.

1941

1942

1942 (Australia)

1944

1944 Amendment No 1

1944 Amendment No 2

1946

1951
The Spares Wallet – carried one per gun within the Spare Parts Case. The Spare Parts Case – carried with the gun at all times when in action, by the No. 2 of the Sub-Section. The Spare Parts Box – Carried one per section.

Sources:
- Australian Military Forces (1942), Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I – Mechanical Subjects. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- The National Archives, WO 123/63 Army Order 1921.
- War Office (1914a), Spares Parts Wallet Label, London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office, (1914b), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun (Magazine Rifle Chamber) Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office, (1917), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun (Magazine Rifle Chamber) Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office, (1918a), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV [April 1918]. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office, (1918b), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV [September 1918]. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1923), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1930), Handbook on the .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Mounted on Tripod Mounting, Mark IV. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1939), Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I – Mechanical Subjects. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1941), Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I – Mechanical Subjects, 1939 (Reprinted with Amendments, 1941). London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1941), Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I – Mechanical Subjects. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1942), Regulations for the Equipment of the Army, Part 1 – General Regulations. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1944a), A.F. G1098 – Detail of Boxes, Spare Parts and Tools, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Filled – Schedule No. 200/1. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1944b), A.F. G1098 – Detail of Cases, Spare Parts and Tools, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. I**, Filled “A” – Schedule No. 201/2. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1944c), A.F. G1098 – Detail of Wallets, Vickers .303-in. M.G., Mk. I, Filled – Schedule No. 202/1. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1946), Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I – Mechanical Subjects, 1941 (Reprinted with Amendments, 1946). London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
- War Office (1951), Infantry Training, Volume II, Infantry Heavy Weapons, Pamphlet No. 24, Part I – Mechanical Subjects. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Great pic’s…!! Might number the parts along with the description and also placement in the wood box.
Thanks Leonard. Good idea. That’s the next iteration perhaps. Please do consider supporting us at http://www.patreon.com/vickersmg
Now have MK1,MK2 and MK3 Battalion Spares box’s along with 7-Vickers in process of being returned to being functional firing,semi-auto weapons. Photo’s and descriptions of parts and pieces were very helpful in assembling all these items for display with my WW1 U.S. Army 1917 Machine Gun Carts.
That’s great. Super to hear about the semi-auto rebuilds too. Are they mainly Australian kits or British ones in there too?