scrud
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by scrud on Sept 8, 2008 13:29:32 GMT 1
As this seems to be the only decent source of Vickers MG info on the web I thought I might post some photos of some things I found stashed away in the cupboard (I think this is the right place to post here sorry if its not) I dont know much about the Vickers all I know is that my great great grandfather helped in the development of it somewhere along the line and I have heaps of prototype feedboxes (some of which were dontated to a war museum) and a gold watch that was given to him for fixing some problem they had back in the very early 1900's the picture is blurry but it reads his initials on the front with inside reading "Vickers Ltd Presented by the Empoyees of the Maxim Feed Box Dept to Mr R. Lindsay As a token of respect and esteem Dec. 1918 Crayford." Still keeps time like a charm. Anyways thought it might be interesting    |
|
|
|
Post by Richard Fisher on Sept 8, 2008 17:18:11 GMT 1
What an excellent item and story to go with it. Very interesting indeed!
Looking at the date on the watch and the fact that the feedblock you have is brass, it may have been that your great-great-grandfather was involved in the manufacture of the brass version as an alternative to steel - I can't think of any other changes in feedblock design that took place since the introduction of the gun in 1908.
Regards
Richard
|
|
scrud
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by scrud on Sept 9, 2008 0:06:21 GMT 1
Hey Richard,
Yeah that sounds like it. He was a mechanical engineer (along with every other decendant in my family) and all I know is from what my grandfather told me is that it had to be designed as the old one had problems with jammming all the time. I guess this is the reason from going from the steel to the brass design? Not sure really?
Regards,
Nathan
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard Fisher on Sept 9, 2008 7:36:42 GMT 1
Hi Nathan
It was mainly to make the production easier. I am not sure of any changes in the actual design once it was produced; however, the design did change significantly from the 1906 Light Pattern Maxim but I would have to dig out the papers to see what those were.
However, would it really have been ten years before he got recognition of that?
I will do some thinking.
Regards
Richard
|
|
scrud
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by scrud on Sept 9, 2008 9:10:54 GMT 1
Howdy,
Yeah im not sure dude... I really know nothing about it... ill ask some relatives and see if I can get more info. I know my grandfather, who I havent seen for ages has some more feedblocks and also a big thick gold chain that goes with the watch. I'll see if I can find out how long he worked there for.
Regards,
Nathan
|
|
|
|
Post by woodsy on Sept 9, 2008 9:15:47 GMT 1
Hi Nathan
You have some wonderful family history there! The .303 Maxim, which the Vickers replaced, had a brass feed block of different design. In 1901 changes were made to reduce the size of the feedblock to save weight. In 1908 , the change to steel was made. Some time soon thereafter, the change was made back to brass but with some relatively minor design changes. Without having an early steel feedblock to compare with my brass one, I cannot comment on the extent or type of changes. Suffice to say that there is a difference when you closely compare photographs. It would be nice to see some photos of the feedblock parts you have!
|
|
scrud
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by scrud on Sept 13, 2008 8:32:06 GMT 1
hey woodsy,
Ill try and post some more photos up soon
Im away from home at the moment but will be back next week
|
|
