Vickers-Berthier
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It has been suggested that Vickers light machine gun be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2011. |
| Vickers-Berthier | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | British Empire |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Vickers-Armstrong, |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 24.4 lb (11.1 kg) |
| Length | 45.5 in (1.156 m) |
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| Cartridge | .303 British |
| Calibre | 0.303 in (7.7 mm) |
| Action | gas |
| Rate of fire | 450-600 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,450 ft/s (745 m/s) |
| Feed system | box 30 rounds |
| Sights | Iron |
The Vickers-Berthier (VB) light machine gun manufactured by Vickers-Armstrong was based on a French design of just before World War I. In 1925 Vickers in Britain purchased licence rights for production in their Crayford factory, and as a replacement for the Lewis Gun.
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[edit] History
During the 1932 British Army trials of several Light machine guns, the Vickers-Berthier was in direct competition with the Bren gun. The British army adopted the Bren, and the Vickers-Berthier was adopted instead by the British Indian Army. A production line for the Vickers-Berthier Light Machine-Gun Mk 3 was established at the Ishapore Rifle Factory. The reasons for its failure were simple; it was heavier, at 24 pounds than the lighter Bren at 22 pounds. It was also longer, and hard to stow away. The Bren also had a faster firing rate and far better portability. The only advantage the weapon had over the Bren was the far simpler design. It could be produced more efficiently. In the end however, that didn't matter.
[edit] Appearance and Design
The Vickers-Berthier Light Machine Gun has a 30-round box magazine and a bipod stand, and is sometimes mistaken for the Bren as both used a distinctive standard curved magazine to accommodate the rimmed .303 British cartridge. Apart from India, it was only sold to a few Baltic and South American states, but the design was modified into the Vickers K machine gun, called the Vickers Gas Operated (VGO).
[edit] Modern usage
The weapon is fairly rare to see nowardays, but it remains in reserve with the modern Indian Army with very little service.
[edit] External links
- http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg82-e.htm
- "Rifle-Machine Gun Increases Efficiency of Infantry" Popular Mechanics, December 1930 early article with photos of first Vickers-Berthier
