Vickers–Berthier facts for kids

The Vickers–Berthier (VB) was a type of light machine gun. It was made by a British company called Vickers-Armstrong. This gun was used by the British Indian Army and saw action during World War II.

The Story of the Vickers–Berthier Gun

Early French Design

The Vickers–Berthier gun was based on an older design from France. This first design was made just before World War I. Different versions of this French gun were suggested for soldiers between 1910 and 1922. For example, the Fusil Mitrailleur Berthier Modèle 1922 was considered by the French army. However, they chose a different gun instead, called the Fusil Mitrailleur MAC modèle 1924.

How Vickers Made Their Own Version

In 1925, the British company Vickers bought the rights to make the Berthier Model 1922 gun. They planned to produce it in their factory in Crayford, England. This new gun, the Vickers–Berthier, was meant to replace an older gun called the Lewis gun.

The Vickers–Berthier worked in a similar way to another famous gun, the Bren light machine gun. Both guns used gas to operate and had a part that tilted to load bullets. They were also both cooled by air and had barrels that could be removed. The British Indian Army officially started using the Vickers–Berthier in 1933.

Choosing the Best Machine Gun

In 1932, the British Army tested several light machine guns. The Vickers–Berthier was directly competing with a gun called the ZB vz. 26. The British Army decided to use the ZB vz. 26, which they later changed and called the Bren light machine gun.

Even though the British Army chose the Bren, the Vickers–Berthier was still important. The British Indian Army adopted it. A factory in India, called the Rifle Factory Ishapore, started making the Vickers–Berthier Light Machine-Gun Mk 3.

What the Vickers–Berthier Looked Like

The Vickers–Berthier Light Machine Gun had a magazine that held 30 bullets. It also had a bipod, which is a two-legged stand to help aim. Sometimes, people would confuse it with the Bren gun. This is because both guns used a similar curved magazine for their bullets.

The Vickers–Berthier was a bit heavier than the Bren gun. It weighed about 11.1 kg (24.4 lb), while the Bren weighed about 10 kg (22 lb). The Vickers–Berthier was also a bit longer, which made it harder to store. It fired bullets a bit slower too, at about 500 rounds per minute. One good thing about the Vickers–Berthier was that it had a simpler design. This meant it was easier to make.

There were five main versions of the gun: Mk I, Mk II, Mk II light, Mk III, and Mk IIIB. The Mark 1 came out in 1928, the Mark 2 in 1931, and the Mark 3 in 1933.

Who Used the Vickers–Berthier Gun?

Besides India, the Vickers–Berthier was also sold to Latvia and Bolivia. The design of this gun was later changed to create another gun called the Vickers K machine gun.

In India, the Vickers–Berthier guns were replaced by Bren guns starting in 1942. However, some reserve units of the Indian Army continued to use them even into the 1980s.

Countries That Used It

•  Bolivia
•  British India
•  India
•  Latvia: They bought more than 800 Vickers–Berthier Mk I guns by April 1936.
•  Paraguay: They captured some guns from Bolivia.
•  Portugal: They bought a small number of these guns, calling them m/931.
• Kingdom of Spain: They bought a small number.
•  Spanish Republic: They bought 322 guns from Paraguay in 1936.
•  United Kingdom: They used a limited number of these guns.
•  Afghanistan: Used by Taliban.

Countries That Didn't Choose It

•  Romania: The Vickers–Berthier gun was tested in 1927-1928, but Romania did not choose it.
•  Greece: The Greek Army tested it in 1925 but chose the Hotchkiss machine gun instead.