The waterjacket of the Vickers is a vulnerable element of the gun as, without effective cooling, the gun will be permanently damaged. It’s also an area that can be repaired quite simply on a ‘first-aid’ basis. To do so, spares boxes were eventually equipped with specific items to enable a short term repair. Before this though, more rudimentary items were made available.
General Routine Order dated 18 February 1915.
Machine Guns.
To enable units to carry out repairs to Maxims and Vickers .303-inch machine guns, disabled by having their barrel cases pierced by bullets, &c, the following stores will be issued on demand:-
Plastecine (in tin boxes) ozs. 6. Per gun (Maxim and Vickers), to be carried in spare parts box. Flannelette, 4 inches wide yds. 8. Per gun (Maxim and Vickers), to be carried in spare parts box. For semi-permanent repairs to be done by an armourer:-
Iron soldering, tinman’s small 1. For each armourer employed. Solder, tinman’s lb. ½ Soldering solution pint 1. Brush, for solution. 1 Tin, sheet (will be supplied cut into suitable patches, 17 inches by 12½ inches. 1 Instructions in the methods to be adopted in carrying out these repairs will be issued to all concerned.
First Aid Patches:
- Cat No. C1/BD 0093, BOX, PATCH, FIRST AID, VICKERS M.G., MK. 1 – Empty, tinned plate, with hinged lid. For 2 patches.
- Cat No. C1/BD 2476, List of changes B 2854, PATCHES, FIRST-AID, VICKERS M.G., MK. I – Consisting of pad, plate and 2 clips
- Cat No. C1/BD 2479, List of changes B 2854, PATCHES, FIRST-AID, VICKERS M.G., MK. I, Clips – Complete with screw
- Cat No. C1/BD 2477, List of changes B 2854, PATCHES, FIRST-AID, VICKERS M.G., MK. I, Pads – Sponge rubber
- Cat No. C1/BD 2478, List of changes B 2854, PATCHES, FIRST-AID, VICKERS M.G., MK. I, Plates
Sources:
Specific source references can be provided if required.
