Pullthroughs, flannelette and cleaning rods

Pull-throughs

The pullthrough had been part of the soldier’s equipment since long before the introduction of the Vickers machine gun. There are two main types used with small arms: the single pullthrough for rifles and a double pullthrough for machine guns. The use of either the pullthrough or the cleaning rod was subject to debate in the earliest years of the 20th Century, as reported by the Small Arms Committee of the Ordnance Board.

130. Pull-through versus Cleaning Rod

Previous Minute 682, 17.11.1902.

Secretary re-submitted W.O. Paper marginally quoted for decision as to above question.

The Committee wish to modify their opinion expressed in Minute 682, 17.11.1902, and recommend that the double pull-through be retained in the Service for use by armourers and for machine guns.

Minute No. 711, Proceedings of the Small Arms Committee, 12 January 1903.

They were used for all variants of the Vickers machine gun. They were used with wire gauze to clean physical burrs and built-up material from the barrel.

  • Cat No. C2/BG 0894, List of changes A 7772, PULLTHROUGHS, .5-IN., MK. I, “A” – Manilla hemp rope. For Vickers .5-in. M.Gs. and Rifle Boys (Section B1). With wire gauze.
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0895, List of changes A 7772, PULLTHROUGHS, .5-IN., MK. I, “B” – Manilla hemp rope. For Vickers .5-in. M.Gs. and Rifle Boys (Section B1). Without wire gauze.
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0896, List of changes B 5183, PULLTHROUGHS, .5-IN., MK. I, Gauze – Manilla hemp rope. For Vickers .5-in. M.Gs. and Rifle Boys (Section B1). Wire pieces, 3¼-in. x 3 5/8-in. Also for Sticks, breech, 15-mm. M.G. Mk. I
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Flannelette

Commonly called ‘four by two’ because of the marked sizes of the pieces, flannelette was cleaning cloth. It was marked so that it was pre-sized for use in the .303-inch barrel used by the British Army – anything larger caused a risk of becoming stuck in the barrel.

It could be folded length-ways and fitted into the slot of the cleaning rod or the loops of the pullthrough. It could also be used in larger pieces for generally cleaning the gun.

Flannelette was also included as part of the early ‘first-aid’ equipment for repairing pierced water jackets as it could wrap plasticine and bung holes. Small pieces could be waxed as used as ear protection.

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Brushes

Brushes also came as part of the oil cans and in the crosspiece.

BRUSH TO CLEAN MECHANISMS AND MAGAZINES

United Kingdom has found the necessity to provide a brush to clean the interior of automatic weapons and magazines.

The brush has now been introduced into the Australian service. It is of a twisted wire type, approximately 9 inches in length, and can be carried in the standard ’37 basic pouch.

The scale of issue is one per L.M.G., M.M.G. and S.M.G.

Cleaning rods

  • Cat No. C1/BD 2552, List of changes B 1526, RODS, CLEANING, .303-in. M.G., Mk. 2, A – With steel bush; for use with Vickers or Lewis .303-in. M.G.
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2557, List of changes C 1526, RODS, CLEANING, .303-in. M.G., Mk. 2, Bushes
  • Cat No. C1/BD 9225, RODS, CLEANING, .303-in. M.G., Mk. 5
  • Cat No. C1/BD 2560, RODS, TWISTED COPPER WIRE, Mk. 1 – 42-in. long; No. 12 S.W.G.
  • Cat No. C1/SM 120, RODS, TWISTED COPPER WIRE, Mk. 2 – 30-in. long
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0905, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Mk. I – With steel bush with “S” hook, M.G. chain and spring clip
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0906, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Mk. I, Handles, Mk. I
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0907, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Mk. II – With steel bush with “S” hook, M.G. chain and spring clip
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0908, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Mk. II, Handles, Mk. II – Also for Rods, cleaning, Rifle, Boys, No. 2, Mk. I (Section B2)
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0909, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Bushes – With M.G. chain, “S” hook and spring clip
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0910, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Clips, spring – Also for Rods, cleaning, Rifle, Boys, No. 2, Mk. I (Section B2)
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0911, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers .303-in. and .5-in. M.Gs., Nuts, retaining, handle – Also for Rods, cleaning, Rifle, Boys, No. 2, Mk. I (Section B2)
  • Cat No. C2/BG 0915, List of changes A 7772, RODS, CLEANING, Vickers, .5-in. M.G., Mk. I – With steel bush

Sources

Specific source references can be provided if required.