.303-inch Mk IV A

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Cat. No. Introduction Obsolescent Obsolete Remarks
Section C.2
B.M.0160
B.M.0161
L. of C. A.7771
70/MG/159
15th May 1930
L. of C. A.7771
57/Tanks/1313
10th August 1933
L. of C. C.2022
57/SA/1385
24th August 1944
With L.H. or R.H. feed blocks. Tank Pattern. Converted from Mk. I

List of changes A 7770 and A 7771, GUNS, MACHINE, VICKERS .303-IN., Mk. IV A, – With No. 2 steam tube

  • Cat No. C2/BM 0160, …WITH L.H. FEED BLOCK
  • Cat No. C2/BM 0161, …WITH R.H. FEED BLOCK

Production information

The Mk IV A and Mk IV B Vickers MGs were, alongside the 3-Pounder, the only armament that the Royal Tank Corps had fitted to its Tanks. These were eventually replaced by the Mk. VI, Mk. VI* and Mk. VII, but did co-exist with those for some time. All A.F.V. Vickers MGs were eventually declared obsolete in 1944 when they were completely replaced by the Besa and Browning MGs.

The table below provides a small amount of manufacturing data towards the end of the Mk IV A and Mk IV B life and is an indication of the numbers concerned when compared to data on the Mk. VI, Mk. VI* and Mk. VII.

Mk. IV A and IV B Vickers MG War Office Contract Information
Date Item Maker Quantity and Other Details
01.07.1935 Modifications to Vickers Mk IV Enfield 2
16.01.1936 Vickers Mk IV A and B repair Enfield 30
21.08.1940 Vickers Mk IV Enfield 27

The last entry indicates a new production; however, this may be a transcription error in the primary or secondary source as the Mk IV A and B were obsolescent by this time – it would be more feasible to read as the Mk VI.


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