April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
Incredible find! Original crate with Parker-Hale .303/.22 Training conversion parts to convert a .303 British Vickers gun to fire .22 rimfire cartridges. Crate contains a barrel relined for .22 rimfire using Parker’s “Parkerifling System” (wording from their sales literature researched online), a gold copper-washed “DP” marked Vickers lock, ten .303 to .22 rimfire sub-caliber inserts within their wood fitted sockets within the original crate, ten additional .303 to .22 rimfire sub-caliber inserts, and six .303 British rifle stripper clips are included, as well as the tool for removing the spent .22 rimfire cases. Also a 30 round section of tabless cloth Vickers belt. Crate retains original “A. W. Parker & Co Ltd” plate in lid, as well as original white stenciling on side, “BARREL, PARKER HALE, .303 IN CIRC .22 IN / COMPLETE AS PER CHECK LIST NO 923 / SER. NO .1860 B”. These sub-caliber kits were to be used in training to save cost using .22 rimfire ammunition instead of .303 ammunition during the post-World War I days. These kits were offered for sale commercially in June 1930. CONDITION: Barrel has a fine lustrous refinish over some light pitting with a near excellent bright and shiny bore. Lock is extremely fine albeit marked, “DP”. .303/.22 inserts also extremely fine to near excellent, and is the cartridge case removal tool. Cloth belt is extremely fine as well. Crate is in extremely fine condition, with original paint and legible markings. This is an incredibly scarce and desirable accessory for the advanced and discerning Vickers machine gun collector. JWK 2023-4-06