Vickers-Berthier .303 inch Mk III machine gun, 1935 (c)

Manufactured at the Indian Small Arms Factory, Ishapore, 1935 (c).

In 1925 the Vickers Engineering Company purchased the manufacturing rights to a light machine gun invented by French designer Adolphe Berthier. It was marketed commercially but had little success until it was adopted by the Indian Government in 1933 as the standard light machine gun for the Indian Army.

The Vickers Berthier Mark 3 was used by the Indian Army throughout World War Two, although battle losses were replaced by the Bren which was produced in much greater numbers in Britain and Canada.

On loan from the Royal Small Arms Factory