Colt tripod

[steved409]

At a recent gun show I saw what was said to be a Colt tripod for the Vickers type gun. This one truely had a Colt tag on the rear facing arm but from what I've seen in pics is that the Colt tripod had a pivot lock to the rightish rear oblique (as seen from the shooter's position), whereas this one had the pivot lock on the front, which I thought to be correct for Brit Vickers. Is this tripod legit?

Steve

[Peter Wells]

Hi Steve

My Colt 1915 manual shows the 'Block Jamming Handle' just to the right of the rear reinforcing rib (5 o'clock position, as you described) whereas, as far as I know, all Brit Mkiv tripods have it located in front (12 o'clock position).

Apart from that, there are other telltale differences which you may, or may not, have noticed:
1) the Colt crosshead is squarish in front and there are other minor casting differences
2) the Crosshead Pin and Elevating Gear Pin Chains are arranged differently
3) the Elevation dial and wheel are very different
4) the whole Elevating gear is different - Colt is much more complex with stops etc).

Hope that helps.

[steved409]

There may be some diff in the 'foot' on the long arm, too. Is this correct? Yes, I noticed a difference between the elevation mechanisms in the pics of the Colt vs. my MkIV. Didn't think to check the one at the gun show in this area, but it sounds like this is a fake. This was at a better known MG dealer so he maybe just didn't know better.

Thanks,
Steve

[762x51]

Here are some photos of my Colt-Vickers Tripod for reference.
Regards,
Orin

[Peter Wells]

Nice pics Orin

There appears to be some variation on 1915 tripods as my manual (Brit G&P manual for the Home Guard) shows different back foot and elevating gear to those on your tripod. There aren't any 1915 tripods here in South Africa that I know of (and no reason why there should be!) so have to rely on pictorial evidence.

Regards

Peter

[steved409]

Thanks guys for info and pics!!

Steve