LEWIS GUN/VICKERS TRIPOD ADAPTER

*The Lewis gun mounted on the Vickers Mk IV tripod using the Lewis gun adapter.*

For collectors of machine guns, especially the old classic machine guns, accessories are as much of the “hunt” as are the guns themselves. More often than not, certain accessories are rarer than the gun it is associated with and a collection that includes rare accessories can greatly increase the value of the entire collection. Searching the tables and bins at gun shows, Knob Creek and the SAR West show, collectors are always on the lookout for that special or rare accessory to compliment their collection. Sometimes the seller doesn’t know the rarity and value of such an item and it can be bought for a song: however, most times that is not the case. Nevertheless, finding that rare accessory is a thrill and a source of enjoyment that compliments the collecting experience.

Period photograph of a Lewis gun mounted on a Vickers Mk IV tripod using the Lewis gun adapter in an anti-aircraft role. Note that the locking pin has been removed from the rear of the adapter that would affix to the elevation mechanism and that the gun has been turned backwards on the adapter and is thus backwards in relation to the tripod head. This allows the gunner to achieve a high degree of elevation needed for anti-aircraft work. The rear stock has also been replaced with a D-grip. Also note the observer with binoculars to the left and the soldier with the Barr & Stroud rangefinder on the right. The wagon wheel affixed to a post or tree trunk was a common field expedient measure to allow a 360 degree traverse for anti-aircraft efforts.

One such rare accessory is the cast brass Lewis gun adapter for the Vickers Mk IV tripod. When the Lewis gun was adopted (LoC §17484, October 15, 1915), the British were quick to introduce an adapter for mounting the Lewis gun on the Mk IV Vickers tripod. While the Lewis gun is a light machine gun that utilizes a bipod, it still fires the full power of the .303 rifle caliber cartridge. There were times when it was pressed into service in the medium/heavy machine gun role where a more stable platform was needed for firing over the heads of advancing troops, or for longer range indirect, enfilade and defilade fire – particularly if one or more Vickers guns were out of action. However, it was not well suited for this roll as it was an air-cooled light machine gun and could not sustain the volume of fire that the Vickers could put out. It was actually a little better suited when used in the anti-aircraft roll. Nonetheless, there were other, better, field expedient means in which to put the Lewis in action for that purpose.

Left side of the Lewis gun adapter. Cast in brass, the Lewis gun adapter is simple in construction with corresponding holes to affix to the Vickers Mk IV cradle and elevation mechanism. The large hinged clamping ring secures around the Lewis cooling jacket.

Ultimately, the adapter found little usage and was discontinued and the remaining stock most likely melted down to reclaim the valuable brass. No production figures are currently available, but this Lewis gun accessory is very rare with only a handful known to exist in museums and private collections and commands a high price on the collectors market.