I have just won this April 1918 Hotchkiss manual from an online auction. It is for the MK1 and MK1* Hotchkiss machine gun. Now I believe it was the Hotchkiss MK1* that was fitted to the later marks of tanks, MKV onwards, but would appreciate confirmation of this.
What I did note though was the four digit number which has been written on the front cover. Can anyone tell me, does this four digit number have any relation to a Tank in any way ? (or is it just some other random number) The number can be seen in the photograph below - number 9375
thanks in advance for any help on this. (I'm afraid I dont have this in my hands at the moment so I am afraid that I am unable to give further details as yet - the photograph is from the auction)
Kev
-- Edited by m83 on Wednesday 25th of February 2015 08:57:16 AM
Yes, quite possibly. It might be a random number of course, but 9375 is the number of a Mark V Female that would have had this type of gun. I cannot check it's history at present (away from home) and will not be back for a week so you'll have to wait for a proper answer.
Yes, quite possibly. It might be a random number of course, but 9375 is the number of a Mark V Female that would have had this type of gun. I cannot check it's history at present (away from home) and will not be back for a week so you'll have to wait for a proper answer.
Gwyn
Thank you Gwyn
I'm afraid the book is not in my hands at present so I am not sure if there is anything else written inside, but the fact that the number tallies with a MKV female tank is very promising indeed. I suppose it would be quite feasible for a manual such at this to be issued one per tank for quick reference if the need arose.
After communication with the seller of this handbook I have found out that he was given this along with a prayer book and a large photograph. These had belonged to a neighbor who had sadly passed away (@ 1969 so he had had them a long time) ......what is interesting is that he told me that the man had served in Tanks! The large photograph I have been told is on permanent loan to Bovington Tank museum, I presume it to have been a company or battalian photo.
I now have the book in my possession....... unfortunately there are no more details about the original owner, however with this additional information it appears more likely that the number 9375 does relate to a Tank, which as Gwyn has already said is recorded as being a MKV tank which would have been fitted with the Hotchkiss guns, as per the Handbook.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Gwyn for passing on to me, the details on this particular tank by pm.
regards Kev
-- Edited by m83 on Thursday 5th of March 2015 05:10:17 PM
