A second “brother” printed colored postcard of an artist-drawn war scene taking place in the South African Boer War painted and signed by E. Storm in 1903. This scene seems to be at sunset with the notation of “Drink Maxim Ale” as part of the setting sun.

World War I-era sweetheart or veteran’s lapel pin in the shape of a guidon with the Army machine gun colors of red and blue enamel. Trimmed in brass, the top half of the guidon has the number “1,” and the bottom half of the guidon in blue has “M.G.B.” (1st Machine Gun Battalion). Pin back.

No. 2 Battery Sudan Motor Machine Gun Corps (circa 1935-1945) sun helmet badge. (Arabic name: Kingi Batteria Ottomobilat Madaf a El Makina). Blackened bronze badge of winged wheel with crossed Vickers to the center. Two lugs to the rear. Attached to a diamond-shaped, dark blue, Melton felt baking that was worn on the side of the sun helmet.

First Day coin cover for the Centenary of the First World War from Gibraltar, denoting weaponry—specifically machine guns. The 8-block, 22-pence stamps, canceled on the first day of issue of February 18, 2015, depict a Vickers machine gun in an anti-aircraft pose. The main image on the card is of a Lewis gunner in an anti-aircraft pose. The 50-pence commemorative coin (attached in plastic) shows on the obverse a Lewis gunner firing over sandbags and a Hotchkiss gunner with a belt of machine gun cartridges running edge-to-edge in the center. Prominent to the face of the coin is a line from the poem, “Arms and the Boy” by Wilfred Owen, written in 1917, stating, “Blue with all Malice like a Madman’s Flash.” The coin is a 24-carat gold-plated steel Crown from Jersey. The reverse has an image of Elizabeth II. The coin measures 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Interwar Latvian brass tank or armored car machine gunner’s proficiency badge circa 1919–1926. Crossed Vick-ers on tank that is on a spoked tire. Two-piece screw construction. Screw back. Spinner marked: “Arm. Ekonom. Veikals, Rīgā.”

Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps Machine Gun Section cap, collar and shoulder title. The cap and collar badges are blackened bronze, showing tea leaves with “M” and “G” to each side with a three-part Latin motto below the letters: “Salus Unitas Nostra” (“Our Safety Unit”); and a single banner below that reads, “Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps.” Both the cap and collars have two lugs to the rear. The brass shoulder title simply reads, “M.G.” over “CPRC” (Machine Gun Section Ceylon Planter Rifle Corps). The unit was raised in 1901 as a volunteer (reserve) regiment of the Ceylon Defence Force based in Kandy, and it existed until 1949. The regiment was made up of Europeans that were tea and rubber planters in the hills of Sri Lanka. The regiment deployed personnel to fight in the Second Boer War, World War I and World War II.

Very early and very rare World War I era shoulder patch for the 31st “Dixie” Division consisting of a triangle bisected with red and blue denoting a machine gun battalion with two “D”s back-to-back. This patch was very quickly changed to a white disk on which is a red circle within which are two red “D”s back-to-back. The 31st infantry Division was a unit of the Army National Guard originally established in early 1917 as the 10th Division with Alabama, Florida and Georgia national guardsmen. Later that same year, the 10th became the 31st. Trained at Camp Gordon, Georgia, the Division arrived in France in September 1918 and was designated as a replacement Division. The Division returned to the U.S. in July 1919 where the men were mustered out of service. The 31st Division was mobilized in 1940 with National Guard Divisions from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Russian Medallion

A Russian, large, bronze-clad metal table medallion commemorating Vasily Alekseyevich Degtyarev (1880-1949). The obverse has a raised relief image of Degtyarev with the inscription, in Russian, “In Honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Vasily Alekseyevich Degtyarev 1880-1980.” The reverse inscription reads, “Russian Gunsmiths USSR,” with a central image of a DP-28 light machine gun that Degtyarev created and which was the main light machine gun of the Russian army in World War II. The medallion measures 75 mm in diameter and also has the original red plastic box/stand.

WWI Brodie Helmet

U.S. World War I Brodie helmet for a machine gun company of the 27th Infantry Regiment of the American Expeditionary Force Siberia (A.E.F. Siberia). Painted in white winter camouflage with the A.E.F. Siberia insignia painted on the front of an “S” (for Siberia) superimposed upon a standing bear within an artillery shell. On the right side of the helmet is painted “27th” over “MG.” The machine gun companies were issued Browning Model of 1917 water-cooled machine guns and Browning Automatic Rifles (BAR) Model of 1918. Nearly 8,000 men, mostly from the 27th and then the 31st Infantry Regiments, were sent to Russia during World War I after the October Revolution from 1918 to 1920 and suffered severely from the brutal Siberian winter.

They were sent to Russia to help rescue the 40,000 men of the Czechoslovak Legions being held up by Bolshevik forces as they attempted to make their way along the Trans-Siberian Railroad to Vladivostok and, hopefully, to the Western Front. Additionally, they were sent to protect the large quantities of military supplies and railroad rolling stock that the U.S. had sent to Russia in support of the war effort against Germany before the Bolshevik Revolution. They failed in their mission.

Cap and Collar Badge

South Waziristan Scouts officer’s cap and collar badge circa 1920s. The cap badge has the British king’s crown over crossed Vickers with “South Waziristan Scouts” banner below with four lugs to the rear. The collar badge has the king’s crown over a mountain goat head and two lugs to the rear. South Waziristan is the southern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan. The region was an independent tribal territory from 1893, remaining outside of the British-ruled Empire and Afghanistan. Tribal raiding into British-ruled territory was a constant problem for the British, requiring frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The region became part of Pakistan in 1947.

Sweetheart Pin

A sweetheart pin for the 3rd Machine Gun Company, 1st Canadian Division has red, white and blue enamel on a brass badge, with the king’s crown to the top and a Vickers machine gun on tripod to the center. The top banner reads, “3rd M.G. Co.” and below is “1st Canadian Division.” Pin back.

Swedish Machine Gunner Badge

A Swedish 1950s-era army machine gunner’s silver metal shooting breast badge that has three Swedish crowns to the top with two crossed M45 submachine guns to the center. Pin back.

Ernest Vaux, grandson of the Brewery’s founder, Cuthbert Vaux, was a Major in the Durham Voluntary Artillery when he volunteered for service with the Imperial Yeomanry (a British volunteer cavalry regiment) during the Second Boer War. He was appointed Machine Gun Commander with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the British Army serving in the Imperial Yeomanry, 15th Company of the 5th Battalion, a part of the Northumberland Hussars, from July 1900 to June 1901 in South Africa. He commanded a Maxim machine gun detachment that operated in the Transvall, Orange River and Cape Colony areas of South Africa (though mostly in the Transvall) and took part in over 80 operations there. Major Vaux was “Mentioned in Dispatches” no less than 7 times for his service in South Africa and was awarded the Queens’ South Africa medal with four clasps. In November, 1901 he was awarded the prestigious DSO (Distinguished Service Order).

Upon his safe return to Sunderland the brewery, in late 1901, created a new brand of ale, Maxim Ale, with a very distinguished looking label featuring the Maxim machine gun in recognition of Ernest Vaux’s exploits. The initial recipe for the ale (said to be created by Ernest Vaux himself) was so strong that pub landlords complained that it put their patrons to sleep so the strength was reduced. But in 1938 the brewery increased the strength and renamed the brand Double Maxim.

Founded in 1837 by Cuthbert Vaux, and run by family members for generation, the Vaux brewery was purchased by Wards Brewing Company in 1972. Nevertheless, after over 150 years of brewing history, it closed, along with Wards, in 1999. In 2000, two former directors of Vaux and the head brew master resurrected the brand and established the Double Maxim Beer Company purchasing the rights to both the beer recipes and brand names.

Alas, the historic and renowned North East England brewery name of Vaux, and the iconic image of the Maxim machine gun on a British ale label, are long gone and now exists in name only.

WWII-era Japanese white metal desk inkwell. Japanese soldier in full field gear with Type 11 light machine gun in the prone position. The Japanese flag is hinged and lifts up to reveal two inkwell positions: one for blue ink and one for red ink. Measures approximately 6x3x3 inches.

World War I New Zealand soldier wrist identity bracelet with chain. Bracelet marked “Pte S. Moorcraft, N. Z. M. G. C. 31527 C. E.” (Private S. Moorcraft, New Zealand Machine Gun Corps, 31527, Church of England).

British World War I blackened bronze other ranks cap badge for the Machine Gun Corps Motor Transport driver as worn in Africa in Egypt or Palestine. The one-piece construction of King’s crown over crossed Vickers with a spoked wheel below. Slider to rear.

Pair of sterling silver and enamel earrings set in Lucite of the insignia of the Canadian regiment The Winnipeg Grenadiers MG. The King’s crown surmounts over a central image of a ram’s head encircled by “The Winni-peg Grenadiers MG” over banner with motto “Adsum” (I am present). The Winnipeg Grenadiers were a militia infantry battalion organized as a machine gun battalion on September 4, 1939. The unit was sent to Hong Kong and surrendered to the Japanese on December 25, 1941, after heavy fighting. The unit reformed in January 1942 in Canada and disbanded in the UK in November 1944. Slip-on style with screw back clip for non-pierced ears. Rear marked sterling silver.

Brass and bronze “trench-art”-style miniature of a German World War I Maxim MG 08 machine gun on sled mount with steam condensing hose, water and ammo cans. The gun traverses and elevates on the mount. The front legs can be adjusted from prone position to selected height. The gun and sled mount sits on a stained wood stand with an inscription plate in German that reads “Schwere Mashinen Gewehr 08” (Heavy Machine Gun 08). This highly detailed model was made in 2017 by Oleg Prokopenko and his brother Dmytro Prokopenko in the Ukraine. The gun measures approximately 6 inches long.

Russian silver shooting award pendant. The obverse has a central image of an M1910 Maxim machine gun on a Sokolov wheeled mount and engraved above and below in Russian: “1st prize for machine gun fire.” The reverse is engraved in Russian (Shamordino 2 Base 1919). The pendant measures approximately 1 1/8×1 3/8 inches.

WWI-era U.S. Cavalry machine gun troop expert proficiency with a machine gun felt sleeve patch worn 1918–1919 only. Sewn image of red five-round section of a machine gun belt within a red circle against a yellow backing. The colors of red on yellow denoted machine gun troops in the U.S. Cavalry.

German service insignia of the Stahlhelm branch of the Freikorps. Blue cloth-covered round badge approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Affixed to the center is a gray metal Maxim MG08 machine gun on sled mount. Metal-backed and maker-marked, “Ges. Gesch” (copyrighted). The Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten was one of the many paramilitary organizations that arose after the German defeat of World War I and operated as the armed branch of the national conservative German National People’s Party (DNVP).

Japanese red lacquer wood sake cup with gold rim and kanji with central image of an early Hotchkiss Model 1900 machine gun on tripod. This cup commemorates going to war with Russia (a reference to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905) with the Imperial Guards Division, 3rd Machine Gun Unit.

World War I-era shoulder patches for the U.S. 101st Machine Gun Battalion of the 26th Infantry Division (also known as the Yankee Division as most of the units were recruited from the New England area). The Division saw extensive combat service in World War I. The patches denote the headquarters and machine gun companies of the 101st machine gun battalion. Made of green felt material on a paper board backing, the information is stitched in white thread. These were made by a company specializing in military and veteran ribbons intended to be a souvenir patch for families and sweethearts, but many were sent overseas and worn in theater (unofficially) by the soldiers.

Imperial Russian World War I-era 84 silver cufflinks with image of a Model 1905 Maxim machine gun on a wheeled Sokolov mount with stability legs. The cufflink is attached to a chain that is linked to a rendering of a 7.62x54R cartridge that serves as the opposite holding side of the shirt cuff.

Polish commemorative badge for the World War II 5CKM Kresowy Machine Gun battalion. The badge was numbered on the rear “705” and was worn by Michal Jablonski. Two-piece construction. Three machine gun bullets on belt in center of wreath with “CKM” to center with number “5” at the bottom of the wreath, which is superimposed on a Monte Casino Cross. Full-size about 42mmx42mm. Screw back. The 5th Machine Gun Battalion was a unit of the 5th Kresowy Infantry Division. (Kresowy means coming from the “Kresy” or the “Frontier” meaning specifically the eastern frontier of Poland.) The unit commemorative badge was authorized by the 2nd Polish Corps Commander order No. 108, paragraph 628 of October 7, 1946. The unit existed from 1943 to 1947 and saw action first in the Middle East and then with the 2nd Polish Corps in Italy. Maker marked to the rear, “F.M. Lorioli, Milano-Roma.”

Swedish military army submachine gun shooting award silver level. Colored medal obverse has raised relief image of Swedish soldier kneeling firing an M40 submachine gun. Reverse has laurel wreath with no inscription to center. Medal is hanging on a blue and red vertical striped ribbon with pin back.

Swiss trench art picture frame consisting of Swiss 7.5mm machine gun cartridges with rims dated 1917-1922. Swiss machine gun regiment shako hat badge affixed to bottom and Swiss cross affixed to top. Cabinet photograph of Swiss officer inside frame.

This is the story of a gifted miniature arms maker whose masterful work of small pistols, rifles and machine guns were threatened to be destroyed by draconian gun laws in an Australian state after his death. The collection was spirited away under dark of night to another state and hidden by friends of the family. A lengthy process lasting decades to amend the laws to exempt the collection from destruction ensued and ultimately succeeded. In due course, the family then sold all the guns to a miniature arms dealer in the United States who then broke up the collection selling pieces to various miniature arms collectors. After nearly three decades since the collection was dispersed in the 1990s, the miniatures of his rapid-fire weapons have been reunited by a single collector. This is that story.

Frank Adlam

Frank Roland Adlam was a professional soldier for 32 years in the Australian Army. He specialized in artillery and tested guns and proofed ammunition for the Army and Navy.

The job took him to England on exchange with the British Army, and on his return in 1957, he worked at Port Wakefield (South Australia) where his expertise took him to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Class 2 and Master Gunner, one of only two in the Australian Army at that time.

His interest in firearms was also his all-consum-ing hobby. While in England, he obtained original production tooling drawings for a variety of weapons used by the British Army during the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as textbooks, plans, specifications and other technical information.

Making Miniatures

After returning to Australia in a small radar hut at the Port Wakefield range, for the next 13 years Frank started to make miniature replica guns out of wood and then gradually incorporated metal into the guns so that they were completely authentic.

His creations include cannons in common use in the Napoleonic Wars (2), swords (4), pistols (6), rifles (7), Maxim machine guns (6), a Vickers machine gun, a 10-barrel Gatling gun and a five-barrel Gardner gun—some 30 miniatures in all. Most of his work was in 1/4 scale with a few items in 1/8 scale. The components of the guns were so small that he needed a range of machinery more like that used by a jeweler or fine craftsman. Much of the equipment he developed and made himself as he went along, because the pieces he was making were so small. Frank’s son, Ian, said. “All of the different skills he needed to produce the guns were self-taught. He became as good a draftsman, wheelwright, forger, fitter and turner and molder as you could find.” Like a watchmaker of old, everything was handmade. Even the more simple miniatures took about 200 hours to make, but the larger and more complex models, like the 1/4 scale Vickers machine gun took about 4,000 hours to make.

He displayed his work at many an event for nearly 15 years, drawing wide praise and attention. In 1970, he helped co-found the Antique and Historical Arms Association in South Australia. At one event a story emerged that Frank was having a discussion with another club member about how to correctly strip down a Vickers machine gun. Apparently, to the other’s astonishment, Frank produced the quar-ter-size miniature and went through all of the procedures on the spot.

The Law

The very authenticity of the pistols, rifles and machine guns that Frank made created a large problem. Under the then existing state of South Australian laws, the guns were regarded as dangerous, illegal weapons and liable to be confiscated and de-activated by having the breeches and muzzles welded. This brought action by the South Australian police. Even though miniature, and no ammunition existed for them, if someone could make ammunition, the miniature could fire—even if only one shot. Warnings and citations were issued, confiscation loomed and legal action threatened. Unfortunately, Frank Adlam suffered a severe heart attack in 1972 that stopped his miniature making hobby entirely and curtailed nearly all his physical activity. (He died in 1982.)

Frank bequeathed his gun collection to his wife before he died, but the South Australian police and the law were presenting a very large problem for the family and then for the widow.

The president of the Antique and Historical Arms Association felt that the police action would amount to an act of desecration on what the Association regarded as unique and priceless works of art. Something had to be done until this could all be straightened out.

Weapons in Hiding

Suddenly, quietly and without notice, the col-lection was spirited away into hiding in another state. By whom, and to what state, nobody was talking. “Collection? What collection? I don’t know anything about the collection!” was what was told to the police. The word to the South Australian police was the collection just vanished. In the meantime, the Antique and Historical Arms Association took up the cause to try and have the law changed or amended so that the guns could be conserved and returned to the widow to sell, considering that would be a large financial benefit for her and her family struggling on a meager NCO pension. The guns were safe and in hiding in another state, but the years turned into decades. Nevertheless, the Association continued to lobby for an exemption in the law, and they had many supporters within the state and the legislature.

No Longer on the Lam

Finally, the Firearms Regulations Act of 1993 for South Australia was published, and in “Part B, Miscellaneous, Section 51” is the exemption of the Frank Adlam Collection. Found on page 28, the section simply reads: “Exemption of Frank Adlam Collection. 51. The miniature firearms that comprised the Frank Adlam Collection at the commencement of these regulations are exempted from the provisions of the Act.”

It took over 15 years, but the collection could come home to the family to finally do as they wish without legal entanglement or consequence. The family could now sell the collection for their financial benefit. The collection was sold to a dealer in the United States in 1994 /1995, and the collection was broken up as collectors picked up miniatures in their area of interest.

Rapid-Fire Weapons

As mentioned previously, Frank Adlam’s rap-id-fire miniatures included machine guns and a manually operated Gatling gun and Gardner gun. More specifically:

● Vickers .303 with tripod, water can, steam condensing hose and transit chest with cleaning rod. 1/4 scale.
● Maxim World Standard .303 with tripod. 1/8 scale.
● Maxim World Standard .303 with tripod, water can and transit chest. 1/4 scale.
● Maxim MG 08 on sled mount. 1/8 scale.
● Maxim MG 08 on sled mount. 1/4 scale.
● Maxim MG 08 /15 with bipod. 1/8 scale.
● Maxim MG 08 /15 with bipod. 1/4 scale.
● Ten-barrel Gatling gun in wheeled carriage. 1/8 scale.
● Five-barrel Gardner gun on naval mounting on decking, pattern 1897. 1/8 scale.

The 1/4 scale Vickers, brass water jacket early Maxim, MG 08 and MG 08 /15 were sold to a collector on the East Coast. The 1/8 scale brass water jacket early Maxim, MG 08 and MG 08 /15 were sold to a collector in the Mid-West. The Gatling gun and Gardner gun went to a collector in the South.
The collector in the Mid-West valiantly sought to bring the collection of rapid fire weapons together once again. It took 20 years, but he was able to first acquire the Gatling and Gardner guns and then, finally, the 1/4 scale machine guns from the collector on the East Coast. At last the miniature rapid-fire weapons that Frank Adlam so painstakingly hand-made some 50 years ago, were together again.

The Guns

The scale and depth of accuracy of all the guns are quite simply phenomenal. Remember that these were literally hand-made in the 1960s with simple tools and machines; no computer-aided design (CAD) machines or high-tech milling machines. These are not toys nor were they ever meant to be. These are indeed works of art that require a high level of skill as well as a deep knowledge of the subject.

Bare in mind that as the scale gets to the tiny 1/8 size, some things may have to be changed. The 1/4-scale machine guns have fully functioning locks whereas the 1/8-scale guns, due to their diminutive size, do not have functioning locks.

.303 Vickers Mk. I
1/4 Scale

The .303 Vickers Mk. I has the fluted water jacket with non-armored muzzle booster. The rubber steam condensing hose is affixed to the steam port and ends in a period-style gasoline can that was typically repurposed as a water can for machine guns. The gun is mounted on the Mk. IV tripod with operating elevation and traversing mechanisms. All internal components are present and work as they would in a full-sized gun, and the rear sight is fully operational. The Vickers comes with a transit chest with the proper scaled rope handles on each end and the correct style of closure latches. Affixed to the inside of the top lid is a cleaning rod. The gun measures approximately 10 3/4 inches long and stands 8 inches high on its mount.

“World Standard” Maxim
1/4 and 1/8 Scale

Frank Adlam made the brass-jacketed “World Standard” Maxim machine guns in two sizes. This pattern of Maxim gun is recognized by its brass water jacket, large belt roller assembly on the feed block, the ear-ly-style, flat-faced crank handle and the brass hand grips. The fusee cover is also brass and is marked, “NO 2104, WT 58 LBS, MAXIM NOR-DENFELT PATD 1885.” The 1/4-scale gun is fully functional and mounted on a Mk. IV-style tripod cradle and a simplified commercial tripod. Included are a period-style water can and wood transit chest. The 1/4 scale gun measures approximately 11 inches long.

The 1/8 scale “World Standard” Maxim is identical to its larger 1/4 scale brother except it does not have an operating lock, though the crank handle does move and is under spring pressure from the fusee spring. The gun is mounted on a traditional later model Mk. IV tripod. No water can or transit box was made for this scale gun. The 1/8 scale gun measures approximately 5 1/2 inches long.

German Maxim MG 08
1/4 and 1/8 Scale

It is apparent that once Frank Adlam had all his measurements figured out, the challenge was to make the same gun in two different sizes while maintaining the appropriateness of the scales. Obviously, while the larger size provides the means for great detail, the smaller it gets and the harder it is to maintain that detail.

The 1/4 scale German Maxim MG 08 is mounted on the World War I era sled mount. The gun has the appropriate muzzle booster, flash hider and blast hider as well as the armored plate to protect the front of the water jacket. The rear grips are wood and have the oil brushes in the handles. All internal parts operate as the original. The top cover of the gun is marked “45189, MG. 08, D.W.M. Berlin 1918.” Additionally, the feed block is marked “5189,” and the top cover latch is marked “89 D.W.M.” Internally, the lock is marked “5189.” The sled mount is also fully functional in that the front legs move and lock to adjust height. The elevation mechanism works by turning the rear handle to elevate or depress the weapon. Traverse is controlled by the traverse bar and its lock and traverse stops. Details on the sled mount include spare barrel holder, spare parts box, oil and solvent containers, mountings for the angled chamber cleaning jag and the cartridge tongs and two spare lock containers. The gun measures approximately 12 inches long and sits 8 3/4 inches high on the sled mount.

The smaller 1/8 scale MG 08 Maxim has the exact same exterior appearance and attention to detail as its big brother but does not have an operating lock, though the crank handle moves and is under spring pressure from the fusee spring. There are no markings on this miniature. Due to the size, some of the details found on the 1/4 scale sled mount are not found on the 1/8 scale sled mount. While it does have movable front legs and the rear elevation mechanism is fully functional, there is no traverse bar. Additionally, while there are two spare lock boxes, no other mount accessories are present. The gun measures approximately 6 inches long.

German Maxim MG 08/15
1/4 and 1/8 Scale

The 1/4 scale German Maxim MG 08 /15 is accurately portrayed with the proper muzzle booster and flash hider, top-mounted water/steam hose connecter and removable bipod. Markings include “2106” on the top cover and “MG 08 /15 1917 Spandau” on the fusee cover. The internal mechanism works as in the original. The gun measures approximately 14 1/4 inches long.

The 1/8 scale German Maxim MG 08 /15 is also scaled to perfection though there is no internal lock, but the crank handle does operate under spring tension from the fusee spring. Markings on the top cover read, “6547 MG 08 /15 GWF Erfurt 1917.” The gun measures approximately 7 1/8 inches long.

Gatling Gun
1/8 Scale

Broadwell drum magazine is mounted on a wheeled artillery carriage with wood magazine storage boxes to each hold two Broadwell drums. Elevation and traversing wheels work, and the crank handle rotates the 10 barrels. The gun measures approximately 7 inches in overall length. The barrels measure 4 inches, and the wheel diameter is 5 inches.

Gardner Gun
1/8 Scale

The five-barrel Gardner gun is mounted on a naval cone mount attached to a section of planked decking. The elevation and traversing mechanisms work as does the crank handle that operates all five barrels. The gun has an overall length of approximately 6 7/8 inches with 4-inch barrels. The base measures 3 3/4 x 4 inches.

British George V sterling silver interwar Lewis Gun shooting trophy in the form of a goblet. The front of the goblet is engraved, “44th (H.C.) Divnl. R.A.S.C. (T.A.) Rifle Meeting 1936 Winners Inter-Unit Lewis Gun Competition.” (44th (Home Counties) Divisional Royal Army Service Corps (Territorial Army)). The obverse is engraved with the names of the winning team: Sgt. M.J.A. Campbell, L/Cpl S.E.J. Needham, OR (Other Ranks): W.A.K. Sinden and OR: A.G. Downs. Goblet made by Phillips of Aldershot and is sterling silver hallmarked London 1936 by H. Phillips. Goblet stands 4½ inches high with a cup diameter of 2¼ inches.

World War I era Japanese woodblock print fan. Image is hand colored in vibrant colors of a machine gun unit circa 1915. Measuring approximately 13 inches when opened, it features a Hotchkiss machine gun team firing their weapon. Included in the imagery is a biplane, armored car, national flag and horse-mounted officer. Kanji (Japanese lettering) on the right says, “Kore wa rikugun kikanju tai desu. Isamashiki kikanju.” Approximate translation is: This is our wonderful machine gun unit.

Australian World War I veteran’s pin-back lapel badge of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. Crossed Vickers machine guns to the top with central image of the formation patch of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion of a yellow circle within a black circle with “4.M.G.B.” below. Maker marked on back, “A W Patrick Rae St Nth Fitzroy V.” 31mm diameter.

Brass shoulder title for a machine gun company of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps. (“MG” over “HKVDC”). The HKVDC fought courageously against the Japanese in the weeks prior to the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941. They had a total fighting strength of 2,200. All ranks in 7 infantry companies, 5 artillery batteries, 5 machine gun companies equipped with Vickers machine guns and an armored car platoon. Two mounting lugs to the rear.

Interwar German veteran’s commemorative 10 /20 liter glass stein. Center image of a machine gunner with Maxim MG 08 on sled mount. On the left side in raised lettering is “4. (M.G.) Komp.” over “19. (Bayr) Inf. Rgt.” (4th Machine Gun Company, 19th Bavarian Infantry Regiment.) To the right in raised lettering is “Weihnachten” over “1933” (Christmas 1933). Pewter lid.

Canadian homefront World War II souvenir silk pillow cover. Image of brown lion holding maple leaf standing atop a Vickers machine gun over “1940” against an all-white satin background. The circle around the lion reads “Machine Gun Training Centre M.D. 4” (Militia District 4–Montreal). Edges in gold and purple thread fringe.

Italian high relief bronze medal of a machine gunner shooting a St. Etienne M1907 machine gun commemorating “Tregnago 1.2.18 1.2.19” (Tregnago is a municipality in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto where this unit originated from). The reverse shows a flying eagle and is marked “Battaglione 907 F. Del 1° Reparto Mitraglieri” (1st Company of the 907th Machine Gun Battalion).

Initially, Sweden had no separate Air Force prior to 1926; instead the Army and Navy each had their own sections of aviation. The Schwarzlose that they were then using could not be configured to be synchronized to fire through the arc of the propeller, and in the 1920s tests were conducted with the M1919 Colt aircraft Brownings that were deemed successful. This ultimately led up to Sweden’s purchase of a total of 185 M1919s from Colt from 1920 to 1930.

It did not take long for Sweden to recognize the value of Browning’s operating system, being simply designed and cost-effective. In 1930, the director of Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori noted that they could produce 50 water-cooled M1917A1-type Brownings for the same price as 30 Schwarzlose machine guns, which they were producing and these were the main infantry machine gun of Sweden. Thus, they embarked on manufacturing machine guns based upon the Browning system. This included the Kulspruta (Ksp) m/22 air-cooled aircraft gun introduced in 1930 and the first water-cooled Browning developed in 1929 as the Ksp m/14-29 (mounted on the m/14 Schwarzlose tripod). Between 1930 and 1936, Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori produced 274 of the Ksp m/14-29s.

The m/14-29 Browning system water-cooled machine gun was upgraded in 1936 and became the Kulspruta (Ksp) m/36 mark (ground) produced as a single infantry gun and a double anti-aircraft gun designated as the Kulspruta (Ksp) m/36 lv dbl. While the m/36 was based upon the operating principles of the Browning M1917A1 water-cooled machine gun, there were some differences, even though the guns appeared similar.

As is always necessary to keep automatic weapons in operating condition, a spare parts and tool box was an essential piece of ancillary equipment for the weapons. Beside key spare parts that break or wear, special tools are required to disassemble and properly maintain the weapon. The Swedish spare parts and tool box is quite complete and efficient in keeping the Swedish Browning-inspired machine gun running.

The spare parts and tool kit for the Ksp m/36 lv dbl is made of metal with a single clasp for closure and a double metal handle.

The interior of the spare parts and tool kit has a compartmentalized wood insert that is numbered for the proper placement of the tools and parts within the kit. Note that a content list is pasted in the center of the box.

Contents of the spare parts and tool kit for the Swedish double anti-aircraft gun include:
1. Left gun extractor
2. Left gun muzzle rate of fire booster
3. Right gun muzzle rate of fire booster
4. Sear spring and pin complete for left gun
5. Ruptured case extractor
6. Cover extractor spring left gun
7. Firing pin complete
8. Screwdriver
9. Combination tool for AA mount
10. Combination tool for guns
11. Two-piece brass chamber jag
12. Breech lock cam
13. Brass hammer
14. Cartridge stop for left gun
15. Cartridge stop for right gun
16. Tin container with springs
17. Pliers
18. Combination tool for AA mount
19. Combination tool for guns
20. Wire roll
21. Right gun extractor
22. Buffer bushing left gun
23. Buffer bushing right gun
24. Sear spring and pin complete for right gun
25. Bore brush
26. Drift
27. Pin punch
28. Barrel plunger and spring complete
29. Cover extractor spring right gun
30. Oil can

During the years immediately before the World War I, small hollow off-white china ornaments decorated with civic arms and other crests were popular souvenirs for many people in England who took holidays or daytrips to seaside resorts. Crested china was typically bought from the places on the crest and carefully carried home. During World War I, holidays were still celebrated at most East Coast and South Coast resorts, and the ornament makers began to create designs related to the War.

The ornaments were largely made in the potteries around Stoke-on-Trent by companies such as Arcadian, Carlton, Grafton, Savoy, Shelley, Swan, Willow Art and W.H. Goss. The peacetime ornaments included figurines of everyday objects, local museum antiquities or items such as ring trees, stamp boxes and pin trays.

With the coming of War, new designs were created, such as grenades and mines, ships, airplanes, ambulances and military headdress and tanks. Depicting military subjects accurately was less important than the topicality of the model or its label; therefore, some crests on this china have proven to be “imagined” or are unofficial designs.

Crested china Vickers machine gun on tripod consisting of two-piece construction. Gun swivels 360 degrees on tripod. Gold high-lights. Crest atop water jacket is of Ayr, Scotland. Front of tripod head marked, “RD No. 66144.” (“RD” is “Registered Design” and is a form of copyright to prevent others from copying the style of the image.) Left side of water jacket marked “Model of Machine Gun.” Bottom of gun marked “402” and “Savoy China Stoke-on-Trent England” logo.

Crested china WWI Talbot armored car with two Vick-ers machine guns mounted fore and aft on the top. Crest of Chelmsford on hood of car under a banner that reads, “Many Minds One Heart.” Bottom mak-er-marked “Savoy China (introduced c.1910 until c.1928) Stoke-on-Trent England” for “BR&Co sellers” (Birks Rawlins & Co.).

Crested china commemorative World War I Vickers machine gun on tripod. Large crested front has blue and yellow shield of St. Albans. Atop water jacket is the Machine Gun Corps Skill-at-Arms badge of “MG” within wreath. Rear of tripod marked “The Victory of Justice Armistice of the Great War Signed Nov. 11th 1918.” Gold highlights around muzzle, rear and ammunition belt. Made by Carlton China with maker’s stamp on bottom.

Crested china golf ball with the central image of the king’s crown over crossed Vickers over “Machine Gun Corps” banner below.

Crested china good luck horseshoe with central mage of king’s crown over crossed Vickers over “Machine Gun Corps” banner. Above reads, “The Old Horseshoe” followed by a four-line poem. At bottom is, “The Legend” and a short history of why the horseshoe is considered a good luck symbol. Reverse maker-marked “W.H. Goss.”

Crested china bushel basket with crest insignia of the Machine Gun Corps in center of bottom of basket. Gold trim to edge highlight. Bottom maker-marked “W.H. Goss Ashbourne Bushel RD No. 450628.”

Crested china white porcelain figurine of World War I Machine Gun Corps “Tommy and his gun” firing a Vickers machine gun with gold trim highlights to cap, eyes, machine gun and base. Painted crested front has large coat of arms for Southampton. Bottom mak-er-marked “Arcadian China Stoke-on-Trent.”

Crested china with five fluted vase positions rimmed in gold. The vase is diminutive in size measuring only 3 inches wide and 2 inches high. Affixed to the front is the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps insignia of king’s crown over crossed Vickers with “N.Z” below. There is no maker mark, but it is of the Carlton style of crested china.

Crested china teddy bear with central image on stomach of the king’s crown over crossed Vickers and “Machine Gun Corps” below. Gold accents on ears and eyes. Bot-tom maker-marked “Arcadian China.”