If you are a fan of the classic Vickers belt-fed machine gun, this book is for you.

Noted author Dolf Goldsmith has done it again. As the title page states, “This is an authorized, revised, and expanded edition of The Grand Old Lady of No Man’s Land, originally published by Collector Grade Publications, incorporated in 1994, which is now out of print.”

As often happens with high quality reference books, once they are out of print and unavailable from the publisher, the price rises dramatically. For quite some time, I have wanted to buy a copy of The Grand Old Lady but simply could not justify the inflated prices asked. (Asking prices of $500 and up are commonplace for several Collector Grade titles.)

With the closing of CGP following the passing away of owner R. Blake Stevens, it seemed as though we had few options. So, it was good news indeed, when Chipotle Publishing announced they were working with Dolf Goldsmith to produce an updated and enlarged edition entitled The Vickers Machine Gun: Pride of the Emma Gees.

Joining Goldsmith as contributing editors on this new edition are Dan Shea, Robert Segel, and Richard Fisher. Most unfortunately, Segel passed away just prior to the release of this book.

This new version follows the general layout of most Collector Grade titles, divided firstly into parts, then chapters, and then a series of short segments, often only a paragraph or two. While effective, this can give it a bit of a choppy effect. Where new material has been added, it’s noted by a vertical line adjacent to the addition. The new book has over 270 more pages than before. Most, if not all, Collector Grade books did not include an index at the back of the book. Presumably, this was thought not necessary due to the division into parts, chapters, and small segments. Fortunately, this Chipotle version does include a full index.

Parts

Part I: Early Days covers the history of the Vickers firm, a look at hand-cranked guns the early Maxim guns, and the adoption of the Vickers just prior to the start of World War I.

Part II: The Legend Is Born looks at the Vickers in WWI service from many angles. From manufacturing at Erith and Crayford, to the finer points of the various types of mechanical synchronisers that allow the guns on early aircraft to fire through the propeller arc… if it relates to the Vickers in WWI, it is likely here.

Part III: The Legend Continues covers the 1919 to 1968 period. (1968 saw the retirement of the Vickers in British service.)

Part IV: The Legend for Sale deals with various special models. The drum-fed Class “F” variant that fed from a 97 round Lewis drum mag is examined, as is the .5-inch (not the same case as the .50 BMG cartridge case) tank gun. In fact, there are several models of .5-inch Vickers for AFV, naval, and anti-aircraft use examined. Also covered are guns found in service around the world, literally from Abyssinia to Venezuela.

Part V: The Vickers in Depth is all about the inner workings. I suspect this will be the most interesting section for most readers. Theory of Operation, Accessories, Ammunition, and even a Troubleshooter’s Handbook make up the bulk of this section.  

The majority of the many photographs are black and white, as was the original version. However, starting with chapter 18, Parting Shot, there are many full color photos. Incidentally, Exercise Parting Shot was an event held in July, 2002 to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the disbanding of the British Army’s Machine Gun Corps, in 1922. Among those in attendance were Goldsmith, Shea, and Segel. Also taking part were three original WWI MGC veterans! More than 40,000 rounds of .303 British ammo were fired during the event.

Chapter 19, Vickers Memorabilia, features many items from Segel’s huge collection. The items range from badges and medals on up to fully complete guns and accessory carts. Just an amazing collection! And, of course there are the all-important accessories, such as clinometers (to measure incline when firing long distance), belt-filling machines, military manuals, etc. The chapter ends with a series of beautiful photographs of another privately owned Vickers. These studio-quality images would be suitable as large posters, with the light and shadows bringing out the stark beauty of the Vickers.

Chapter 21 is an extended interview of Goldsmith by Shea that was published in Small Arms Review magazine dating back to July 2006. He has lived an interesting life!

The book ends with Chapter 21, The Contributors.

Richard Fisher got interested in the Vickers by way of his grandfather, a WWII machine gunner. He bought a deactivated Vickers at the age of 12 and has been a fan ever since. He founded the Vickers MG Collection and Research Association and the website VickersMG.blog.

Robert G. Segel was the senior editor for Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal for many years.

Dan Shea is the owner of Chipotle Publishing and is the editor-in-chief and technical editor of both Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal.

This updated version of a classic title, by a much-respected author, is highly recommended.

Details

By Jeff W. Zimba

After years of fielding questions about the possibility of hosting an SAR Show on the East Coast, it finally became a reality this May.

On May 2nd through May 4th over 7,500 people visited the York, PA Expo Center for the first Annual SAR Show East.

With dealers and visitors from all corners of the United States, this first East Coast show was a great success for an initial show in a completely new area.

Just like those who were the pioneers of the now enormous SAR Show West in Phoenix, AZ, the vendors who displayed at SAR East have earned their continued positions in upcoming shows. The years following an initial show tend to have a massive growth rate and the location at York, PA allows for that very growth in both display area and ample parking. If the growth of this show follows the trends established at SAR Show West, we expect this room will be necessary very soon.

Items as rare as one would expect to see only in museums were in abundance and were displayed beside the latest in Class III technology. An original Liberator pistol was only yards away from an extremely rare Japanese prototype submachine gun bearing serial number 1. Across the room were a pair of FG42s beside a Stoner 63, situated across the aisle from a large, beautifully displayed exhibit of Thompsons, Thompson accessories and memorabilia from the Thompson Collectors Association. Those entering through the main SAR entrance were treated to a large display of different models of Maxim machine guns and U.S. Armament Corporation’s amazing inventory of five brass 1877 Bulldog Gatling Guns.

For those looking for weaponry a little closer to the modern category, there was an equally impressive assortment to view from new manufacturers like FNH USA, Precision Weapons Corp., TSC machine, Autoweapons, BRP Corporation, EDM Arms, Coastal Gun, Inc., Marcolmar, Anzio Ironworks Corp, and many more. For very new pieces on display, one could spend several hours looking at BRP’s latest offerings including their radical STG 34K, TSC Machine’s new HK Style systems, Precision Weapon Corporation’s AK-Style rifle in 7.62x25mm and the new 5.7 upper receiver for the AR-15/M16 system coming very soon from Dan’s Sporting Goods. This is just a small sampling of the many fine items for sale throughout the show.

If you enjoy going to the shows to catch up with fellow long time enthusiasts, this show would not have disappointed you either, with such “usual suspects” in attendance as Tom Nelson, Charlie Erb, Bob Naess, Dan Shea, Bob Landies, John Tibbetts, Dolf Goldsmith, Dennis Todd, Robert Segel, Ed Weitzman, Gordon Miller, etc.

Next year’s East Coast Show has already been locked in, and once again it will be at the York, PA Expo Center. The dates are May 1, 2 & 3, 2009. If it follows a similar pattern of growth displayed by SAR Show West, we should have a 30% increase in both tables and in attendance over this year. If you have not signed up for your display space yet, please contact the staff at Moose Lake Publishing, LLC very soon and keep your eye on www.smallarmsreview.com for information and updates.

Moose Lake Publishing, LLC
SAR Show East
631 N. Stephanie St. #562
Henderson, NV 89014
(207) 565-2926
www.smallarmsreview.com