Many Vickers MGs are not directly marked as to who the manufacturer was as the War Office contract guns did not require anything further than a serial number. The exception to this rule are the Commercial Guns as the manufacturer wished all to know who produced the gun as an additional marketing technique. Component parts and accessories often included a manufacturer marking for traceability.
In the Second World War, this was reduced to an alpha-numerical code with N for Northern, M for Midlands and then S for Southern, followed by a number. Manufacturers’ markings are sometimes accompanied by a year of production, which could be the full four digits or just the two end digits.
For additional information on the history of UK companies, the links go to Graces Guide.
For a graphical representation of the extent of manufacturers of the Vickers MG, its components and accessories, we have plotted those markings identified from the VMGCRA collection on to a Google Map layer.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (B).
B & Co Ltd on No 7 belt box. Bradley Bar & Sheet Iron Company, Bilston.B & Co Ltd on No 6 belt box. Bradley Bar & Sheet Company, Bilston.BA on extractor. Bathurst Annex, Australia. Bagcraft Ltd. on Vickers Gas-Operated magazine ammunition pouches. Bagcraft, London.B.A.M. on muzzle cup. Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Nottingham.B.H.&G. on oil case case. Barrow, Hepburn & Gale.BSA (and three rifles) on monopod. Birmingham Small Arms.BUS on extractor. British United Shoe Machinery Company, Leicester.B.W. Ltd. London. on muzzle cup. Bowden Wire Co., Willesden Junction, London.
C
Marking
Manufacturer details
Examples found on
CA
Cowra Annex, (a feeder factory for the Small Arms Factory, Lithgow), Cowra, New South Wales, Australia
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (C).
C.P.Ltd. on Vickers Gas-Operated magazine pouches. Caoutchouc Products Ltd.CRD on feedblock top pawl. Climax Rock Drill, Cornwall.CRD on crank handle. Climax Rock Drill, Cornwall.CA on trigger bar. Cowra Annex, Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.CWS B on Mk 1 MG Oil Can. C. Williamson & Son, Worcester (Metal Box Co. Ltd.)
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (E).
E inside D on Tripod Direction Pointer Mk. II. Enfield.E inside D on Mark IV tripod crosshead. Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.EFD on ammunition belt. Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.Evertaut on .5-inch No 2 Mark I ammunition box. Evertaut, Birmingham.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (H).
H & E Ltd on No 8 Belt Box. Hooper & Edman, Birmingham.H Brindley on belt repair tool. H Brindley, Limited, Birmingham.H.T.&S on feedblock bottom pawl spring. Herbert Terry & Sons, Redditch.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (J).
J & J.T. Ltd on No 8 Belt Box. John & Joseph Taunton, Birmingham.J.B.&Co on No 6 belt box. Jones Brothers & Company. Wolverhampton.JI on barrel. John Inglis and Company, Canada.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (M).
M/2 on Mk 1 MG Oil Can. Dunn & Taylor Ltd.M/51 on Mk 1 MG Oil Can. Andrews Component Company Ltd.M/268 on trigger lock.M 78 on monopod. Elkington & Co Ltd, Birmingham.M 602 on Mark IV tripod. Alfred Bray & Sons Limited, Leicester.M 603 on extractor. British United Shoe Machinery Company, Leicester.M.611 on Slide, No 1. MA on feedblock bottom pawls spring. Made in Australia.MA on Feedblock Top Pawls spring. Made in Australia.MA’42 on slide, No 1. Made in Australia.MC on extractor. Monotype Corporation, Redhill.M.E.Co on Vickers Gas-Operated magazine pouches. Mills Equipment Company.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (R).
R.C.D. 1913 on Tripod mounting blocks. Royal Carriage Department, 1913.RFI on extractor. Rifle Factory, Ishapore, India.R.P.Ltd. on ammunition box carrier. R Parkyn Ltd. RPL over S on No 8 belt box. Believed to be Rheem Proprietary Limited, Sydney. RPL over S on No 8 belt box. Believed to be Rheem Proprietary Limited, Sydney. RT on Mark IV tripod. Randwick Tramways.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (S).
S 26 on feedblock. Climax Rock Drill Company, Carn Brea, Cornwall.S 30 on Sten gun magazine. Dashwood Engineering Ltd, Penge.S 81 on extractor. Monotype Corporation, Redhill.S 125 on Sten gun magazine. A. Wells & Co., Walthamstow.S 254 on Mark 5 tripod direction pointer. Portadyne Radio.S 343 on Mk. III Spare Parts and Tools Box. Nicholls & James, High Wycombe.S.J. & E.F. Ltd on No 6 belt box. S.J. & E. Fellows Limited, Wolverhampton.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (T).
T.F.&SLtd on Mark III ammunition belt. Thomas French & Sons Ltd.T.F.&S. Ld. on Mark IV ammunition belt. Thomas French & Sons.T.E.Bladon & Son Ltd. on Mk I MG Oil Can.
Manufacturers markings on Vickers MGs and components (V).
V inside C on rear cover lock. Vickers Armstrongs Crayford.VA on .5-inch Mark V. Vickers Armstrongs.VAC on .5-inch extractor. Vickers Armstrongs, Crayford.VAC on extractor. Vickers Armstrong Crayford.VAC on rear cover lock. Vickers Armstrongs Crayford.V.A.ER. on Class C gun. Vickers Armstrongs Erith. V.A.N. on feedblock. Believed Vickers Armstrongs Newcastle.VSM on bottom of rear cross-piece. Vickers Sons & Maxim.VSM on trigger bar. Vickers Sons & Maxim.VSM on rear cover lock. Vickers Sons & Maxim.VSM in circle on slide, No 1. Vickers Sons & Maxim.VSM M on fusee. Vickers Sons & Maxim – ‘M’ believed to be for ‘Maxim’ works at Erith.VSM M on trigger lock. Vickers Sons & Maxim – ‘M’ believed to be fore ‘Maxim’ works at Erith.
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Vickers MG Collection and Research Association
This page is published by the Vickers MG Collection & Research Association, a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, registered in England, Company Registration Number 07855202 – www.vickersmg.org.uk