Machine gun cooling jacket

[bloome]

This Bronze machine gun cooling jacket is from an overseas friend of mine.
Its recovered by a fishing ship somewhere in the north sea 2 years ago.
He has some Questions about this piece.
Is this made by Enfield and in what periode of time?
On the inside a stamp says "38"
Is the "N" standing for Navy?
What is the caliber?

The total length is about 26,6 inch
Thickness is about 4,7 inch

Thanks for replys.

Ps, i know this is not ordnance but hope to get some anwers from you all.

 

[falcon5nz]

Looks like one from a .303 or .50 Vickers. Though thats a SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) and I look forward to reading an informed answer

 

[TonyE]

Maxim

It is the water jacket from a .303 Maxim, made at RSAF Enfield. I will have to check the serial number against the production records as these were made throughout WWI, mainly becaus the Navy did not adopt the Vickers at the same time as the army (1912) and continued to use the Maxim.

The N does indeed indicate Naval use, and I have based the calibre identification on the size of the barrel hole in the jacket. It could possibly be a .45 but I do not think so.

The vessel was probably an armed minesweeping trawler or possibly a Q ship to lure U-boats to the surface.

FalconNZ - the Vickers only ever had a sheet steel jecket. It was part of the lightening they did to improve on the Maxim.

Regards
TonyE

 

[bloome]

Hi TonyE, Many thanks for your clear explanation.
The caliber should be .303 based on the dimensions of the hole.

Im exiting what the records tell you!!
Hoping to hear this soon,

Thanks in advance,

Bloome.