Original Item: Only One Available. Over the service of the Vickers, there were two main different types of belt box: wooden and metal, with the wooden box in service first. Once of the differences was with precautions against the use of poison gas. Army Order 194 of June 1917 reads “The effects of corrosion of ammunition are even more serious than the direct effects of gas upon the arms themselves. S.A.A. boxes must be kept closed, and be made as gas-tight as possible. Vickers belts should be kept in their boxes until actually required. Wooden belt boxes are comparatively gas-tight, but the metal boxes should be made so by inserting strips of flannelette.“
This 15” x 8 “ 4 ½” box construction for the wood consisted of oak or ash wood material, dovetail or finger joints, a metal handle on top fitted into a rectangular groove with a centered pick-up area, open-lid feed, spring-loaded lid latch to gun-side panel, and far-end hinge.
The condition is quite nice without any extensive damage but with extensive paint loss.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.