| 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, Ishapore Rifle Factory |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 24.4 lb (11.1 kg) |
| Length | 45.5 in (1.156 m) |
| Cartridge | .303 British |
| Calibre | 0.303 in (7.7 mm) |
| Action | Recoil (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 intended for use on aircraft.[1] In 1925 Vickers in Britain purchased licence rights for production in their Crayford factory, and as a replacement for the Lewis Gun. It was an alternative to the water-cooled Vickers machine gun of same manufacture.[2] The weapon used a similar gas and tipping bolt mechanism to the Bren gun, and also had a removable barrel, and was air-cooled like the Bren. It was adopted by the Indian Army in 1933.
History
During the British Army trials of several light machine guns which began in 1932, the Vickers-Berthier was in direct competition with the Bren light machine gun. The British Army adopted the Bren, and the Vickers-Berthier was adopted 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 slower cyclic rate of 500 rpm, and far better portability. The only advantage the weapon had over the Bren was the far simpler design; it could be produced more efficiently.
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 similar curved magazine to accommodate the rimmed .303 British cartridge.
Use
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).
The weapon is fairly rare to see nowadays, but it remains in reserve with the modern Indian Army.
References
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
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