Product Information
This is a fabulous condition Second World War Vickers Machine gun with fascinating provenance, and its correct WWII tripod. The gun was made by Vickers-Armstrong, Crayford (V.A.C.) who produced all of the V series guns from 1939 onwards. In total only 9,999 were made during the war, after which the V prefix was changed to W. This example is gun number V5294 and was used in the defense of Greece by British and Greek forces during WWII. The British were first in Greece in 1941 fighting the Germans and after the Germans started withdrawing in September 1944 British forces returned to prevent an invasion by Communists. This gun's serial number appears in the latest updated edition of the Vickers Machine Gun by Dolf Goldsmith stating it was one of 248 Vickers guns supplied to Greece that were released into the collectors market in 1988. We have included the supporting documentation from the book. This Vickers was deactivated in 1989 which also confirms this.
The major of components and parts look to be VAC marked with a plethora of Broad Arrow acceptance throughout the gun . The pistols grip arms have been field repaired - a good indication of service use. The 1944 tripod and 1943 cradle were both made by Portadyne Radio, Portadyne Works, 18-19 Gorst Road, London, NW10 who used dispersal code S.254, and the casting company was MMC. Included is a 1942 dated ammunition box with a 1941 dated 250 round belt containing around 50 inert .303 rounds.
The Vickers is synonymous with the Great War but was also fundamental in Britain's WWII efforts and eventual outcome, being used on all fronts throughout the world.
A truly fabulous set worthy of any collection.
To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.
