These low-resolution downloads are provided free-of-charge for the benefit of anyone that wants to know more about the use of the Vickers Machine Gun and know what the Machine Gunners would have known. Many are rare items not readily available so, if you find them useful, please support the development of this resource.
By supporting the Association through Patreon, you are supporting the website fees that will enable us to have high-resolution versions online. All donations are truly appreciated.
If you’d prefer to only give on a one-off basis, then go to PayPal or BuyMeACoffee and make a donation there.
1920-1938:
Small Arms Training, Volume I
1924, United Kingdom
This the first volume to be produced for the British Army. It includes the theory behind weapons training and small arms fire, as well full training information for the rifle and bayonet, the Lewis gun, and the Hotchkiss gun.
Low-resolution PDF download: 12,362 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume II
1924, United Kingdom
The British Army‘s second volume on small arms training. Includes Annual Courses, Range and Battle Practices, Grenade Training, Webley Revolver Training and the Lewis and Hotchkiss Light Machine Guns.
Low-resolution PDF download: 19.9 MB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
The Recruits’ and Trained Soldiers’ Record Book – Territorial Army
1928, United Kingdom
To record their progress, members of the Territorial Army had this record book for their rifle and light automatic (Lewis or Hotchkiss) training and tests.
Low-resolution PDF download: 3,914 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I
1931, United Kingdom
The British Army‘s basic small arms training manual covering the use of the rifle, bayonet and revolver, as well as the theory of small arms fire and the general instructions for weapons training in the 1930s.
Low-resolution PDF download: 12,046 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume II
1931, United Kingdom
This is the British Army‘s manual on Lewis automatic (light machine gun) training, the grenade and small arms anti-aircraft fire. It covers the full training programmes for the different weapons in wider use in the infantry rifle company of the 1930s.
Low-resolution PDF download: 19,570 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume III
1931, United Kingdom
This full manual of the Vickers machine gun covers all aspects of the gun’s use in the machine gun company of a British Army infantry battalion in the 1930s.
Low-resolution PDF download: 26,898 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume V
1931, United Kingdom
This extensive manual includes how the British Army managed their small arms ranges during the 1930s. It covers all of the different weapons and the ranges they could be used upon as well as the different types of targets and training equipment.
Low-resolution PDF download: 26,077 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Manual do Furriel
1937, Portugal
A full and very detailed manual on the small arms used by the Portuguese immediately prior to the Second World War. Their light machine guns included the Vickers Berthier and they used the Vickers machine gun as well.
Low-resolution PDF download: 25,048 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
1939-1975:
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1 – Weapon Training
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1 – Weapon Training
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (Nos. 1 & 2), 1939)
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1 – Weapon Training
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (Nos. 1, 2 and 3), 1940), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1 – Weapon Training
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 1 – Weapon Training
1942 (Reprinted with Amendments (No. 1), 1942), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 2 – Application of Fire
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 2 – Application of Fire
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (No. 1), 1939), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 2 – Application of Fire
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 2 – Application of Fire
1945, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3 – Rifle
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3 – Rifle
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (No. 1), 1940), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3 – Rifle
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3 – Rifle
1943, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 3 – Rifle
1943 (Amendment No. 1, 1945), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Light Machine Gun
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Light Machine Gun
1939 (Reprinted with Extracts from A.C.Is), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Light Machine Gun
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Bren L.M.G.
1943, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Bren L.M.G.
1943 (Amendment No. 1, 1943), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Bren L.M.G.
1943 (Addendum No. 1, 1944), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4 – Bren L.M.G.
1943 (Amendment No. 2, 1945), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 5 – Anti-Tank Rifle
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 5 – Anti-Tank Rifle
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (No. 1), 1939), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 5 – Anti-Tank Rifle
1942, Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 6 – Anti-Aircraft
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 6 – Anti-Aircraft
1937 (Reprinted with Amendments (Nos. 1 & 2), 1939), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 6 – Anti-Aircraft (Including Aircraft Recognition)
1937, Supplement No. 1, 1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 6 – Anti-Aircraft
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 6, Anti-Aircraft, The Anti-Aircraft Cartwheel Sight (Eye Shooting)
Supplement No. 1, 1943, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 – .303-inch Machine Gun – Supplement (The Clinometer and Bar Foresight)
1939, Supplement, 1940, United Kingdom
A supplement to the 1939 series of manuals to allow for the units that had not been issued with the dial sights yet, and still used the clinometer and bar foresight for indirect fire work with the Vickers.
Low-resolution PDF download: 1,613 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I. – Mechanical Subjects
1939, United Kingdom
The first of the revised Small Arms Training series for the Vickers machine gun that was issued immediately prior to the Second World War. This covers the mechanical subjects, such as disassembly, stoppages, mechanism and cleaning. It also has the training plan for the full series.
Low-resolution PDF download: 2,087 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I. – Mechanical Subjects
1939 (Reprinted with Amendments (Nos. 1 & 2), 1941), United Kingdom
An amended version of the 1939 Vickers machine gun manual that incorporates the amendments up to 1941. These includes a minor word change in the characteristics section and nothing otherwise immediately obvious.
Low-resolution PDF download: 2,150 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I. – Mechanical Subjects
1940, India
The British Indian Army variant of the Vickers machine gun mechanical subjects manual. Whilst the content of the lessons is similar, the organisation of the Indian Army was different; therefore, this manual doesn’t reference machine gun battalions and the training system in the way the British Army version does. There is a slight different in the spare parts carried as well. Many of the accessories are earlier variants than in use with the British Army, such as the Mark I aiming post, when the British had moved to the Mark III. The dial sight is not included but the clinometer and bar foresight are.
Low-resolution PDF download: 2,492 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1940, India (ROMAN URDU)
This is a direct translation of the 1940 mechanical subjects manual for the British Indian Army; however, it is printed in phonetic Urdu for British Indian Army officers (who were English-speaking) to use with Urdu-speaking troops.
Low-resolution PDF download: 3,728 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1940 (Reprinted January 1941), India
This appears to a direct reprint with a few minor changes in layout from the first printing.
The British Indian Army variant of the Vickers machine gun mechanical subjects manual. Whilst the content of the lessons is similar, the organisation of the Indian Army was different; therefore, this manual doesn’t reference machine gun battalions and the training system in the way the British Army version does. There is a slight different in the spare parts carried as well. Many of the accessories are earlier variants than in use with the British Army, such as the Mark I aiming post, when the British had moved to the Mark III. The dial sight is not included but the clinometer and bar foresight are.
Low-resolution PDF download: 3,751 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1940 (Reprinted December 1941), India
This appears to a direct reprint with a few minor changes in layout from the January 1941 edition.
The British Indian Army variant of the Vickers machine gun mechanical subjects manual. Whilst the content of the lessons is similar, the organisation of the Indian Army was different; therefore, this manual doesn’t reference machine gun battalions and the training system in the way the British Army version does. There is a slight different in the spare parts carried as well. Many of the accessories are earlier variants than in use with the British Army, such as the Mark I aiming post, when the British had moved to the Mark III. The dial sight is not included but the clinometer and bar foresight are.
Low-resolution PDF download: 3,840 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects – Supplement (The Clinometer and Bar Foresight)
1940 (Reprinted for Australia), Australia
This Supplement is written very differently to the British edition. The supplement is written as amendments to the regular training to allow for the lack of dial sights across the Australian forces at this point. It also uses the Angle of Sight Instrument rather than the Director. It also includes training on the different slide rule in use.
Low-resolution PDF download: 1,185 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1939 (Reprinted with Amendments, 1941), Australia
This appears identical to the British 1939 print; however, it incorporates minor amendments issued in May 1939, February 1941 and an Australian Army Order from November 1940.
Low-resolution PDF download: 2,881 KB
High-resolution available on archive.org thanks to support through Patreon
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1941 (Reprinted in Canada, February 1942), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1939 (Reprinted with Amendments, 1942), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part I.- Mechanical Subjects
1942, Australia
This variation includes information on some of the older accessories that were still in use with the Australian Military Forces, such as the Angle of Sight Instrument.
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part IIA – Training, Infantry (Limber) and Horsed Cavalry
1939, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1940, India
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7 (India), .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1940 (Reprinted in January 1941 with Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 incorporated), India
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1941 (Reprinted in Canada (February, 1942)), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1941 (Reprinted in New Zealand (May, 1942)), New Zealand
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training – 1941, Supplement No. 1, Radial Twin Vickers A.A. Mounting
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1943, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part II.- Training
1944, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1939, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1939 (Reprinted in Canada, February 1940), Canada
A direct re-print of the UK version of the manual, covering all aspect of fire control for the Vickers MG.
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Vickers Machine Gun, Part III (India), Fire Control Support Platoon
1940, India
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Vickers Machine Gun, Part III (India), Fire Control Support Platoon
1940, (Included Amendment No 1 of 1941), 1941, India (ROMAN URDU)
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1942 (Reprinted in Canada, June, 1943), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 7, .303-inch Machine Gun, Part III.- Fire Control
1947, United Kingdom
The last manual issued for the Vickers MG from the Small Arms Training manual series, to be replaced by the Infantry Training series in 1951.
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 8, Mortar (2-inch)
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 8, Mortar (2-inch)
1939, Amendment (No. 1), 1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Mortar (3-inch)
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Mortar (3-inch)
1937 (Reprinted in Canada, October 1939), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Mortar (3-inch)
1943, Amendments (No. 1), 1943, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 10, Infantry Range-finder
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 10, Infantry Range-finder
1937 (Modified for Australia), Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 10, 1937, Supplement No. 1, Falsification Tables
1937, Supplement, 1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 10, Range-finder No. 12
1942, Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 11, Pistol (.38-inch)
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 11, Pistol (.38-inch)
1937, Amendments (No. 1), 1938, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 11, Pistol (.455-inch)
1937, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 11, Pistol (.38-inch)
1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 11, Pistol (.38-inch)
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 12, Bayonet
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 12, Bayonet
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 13, Grenade
1937, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 13, Grenade
1937 (Reprinted in Canada with amendment 1, November 1938), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 13, 1937, Supplement No. 1: No. 68 Anti-tank Grenade (Rifle), No. 69 Bakelite Grenade (Hand)
1941 (Reprinted in Canada (July, 1941), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 13, 1937, Supplement No. 2: No. 73 Anti-tank Grenade (Hand), The S.T. Grenade (Hand), The Hand Incendiary Bomb
1941, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 13, Grenade
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 14, Annual Courses – Regular Army
Cavalry Regiments (Horsed) and Infantry (Rifle) Battalions
1938, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 14, Annual (1939) Range Courses (other than .303-in. Vickers M.G.), Regular Army
Cavalry Regiments (Horsed), Infantry Battalions
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 14, Annual (1939) Range Courses (other than .303-in. Vickers M.G.), Regular Army:
Cavalry Regiments (Horsed), Infantry Battalions
1939, Amendment (No. 1), 1938, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 14 (Australia), Small Arms Practices
1943, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 14 (Australia), Small Arms Practices
1943, Addendum No. 1, 1944, Australia
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 15 (India), Annual Range Courses
Medium M.G. Bns and support pls. armed with V.M.Gs., Regular Army
1942, India
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 16, Annual Range Courses, Regular Army
Other than Cavalry Regiments (Horsed and Mechanized), Infantry and M.G. Battalions and The Royal Tank Corps
1938, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 16, Annual Range Courses, Regular Army
Other than Cavalry Regiments (Horsed and Mechanized), Infantry and M.G. Battalions and The Royal Tank Corps
1938, Amendments (No. 1), 1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 17, Range Courses –
Territorial Army (less Cav. Armd. C. Regts., Cav. Lt. Tk. Regts. and R.T.C. Bns.) and Supplementary Reserve (less Infantry)
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War)
(For all units at home other than R.A.C., A.D.G.B., and O.C.T. Units)
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War), Supplement – Anti-Tank Rifle Course
(For all units at Home other than R.A.C., A.D.G.B., and O.C.T. Units)
1940, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War), Supplement No. 3 – Pistol Course
(For all Units at Home)
1940, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War), With Supplements Nos. 1 and 2
(For all units at home other than R.A.C., A.D.G.B., and O.C.T. Units)
1939 (Reprinted in Canada (January, 1941)), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War), Supplement No. 3 – Pistol Course
(For all Units at Home)
1940 (Reprinted in Canada (November, 1941), Canada
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War)
(For all units at home other than Royal Armoured Corps, Air Defence Great Britain, and Officer Cadet Training Units)
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 18, Range Courses (War), Supplement No. 1 – Individual Battle Practices
1943, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 19, Anti-Tank Gun
(25-mm. Hotchkiss, Mark I on 25-mm. Carriage, Mark I)
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 20, .303-inch Lewis Machine Gun
1939, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 21, Thompson Sub-Machine-Gun
1940, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 21, The Thompson Machine Carbine
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 21, The Machine Carbine
1944, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 22, Sten Machine Carbine
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 23, The 29-mm. Spigot Mortar
1942, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 24, Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT)
1943 (Provisional), United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 26, Mortar (4.2-inch)
1943, including Amendments Nos. 1 and 2, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 27, 6-pdr., 7-cwt. Anti-Tank Gun
1944, United Kingdom
Small Arms Training, Volume V, War Supplement, Small Arms Ranges, Layout, Safety and Equipment
1945, United Kingdom
Royal Naval Handbook of Small Arm Courses for His Majesty’s Fleet
1939, United Kingdom
Training Regulations No. 11, Annual Range Practices (Small Arms) and Allotment of Small Arms Ammunition
1944, Ireland
Part of the range regulations series for the the Irish Army during the ‘Emergency’. The information includes the range practices and the number of rounds of ammunition they used.
Manual of Musketry, Part I: Weapon Training – General
1959, Ireland
These low-resolution downloads are provided free-of-charge for the benefit of anyone that wants to know more about the use of the Vickers Machine Gun and know what the Machine Gunners would have known. Many are rare items not readily available so, if you find them useful, please support the development of this resource.
By supporting the Association through Patreon, you are supporting the website fees that will enable us to have high-resolution versions online. All donations are truly appreciated.
If you’d prefer to only give on a one-off basis, then go to PayPal or BuyMeACoffee and make a donation there.
