These are original British Army issue, 'Gauges, Armourer, Lead Wear, No2 Mk1'.

These gauges are listed specifically for use with the .303" Vickers MMG and the .303" BREN MG, although they may have been used with other .303" MGs as well. They are for checking the wear of the rifling at the breech end of the barrel. To use them the gauge was screwed onto the 'Gauge Rod, Armourers' (SM150) and inserted into the chamber of the barrel. In practice they could be screwed onto any suitable rod or used without a rod, although this could sometimes prove awkward to recover them from worn barrels. Limits of wear are listed as; for the BREN - the barrel is condemned when the gauge enters the chamber to the point where the screwed end of the gauge is 0.25" below the face of the breech where the cartridge rim seats, and for the Vickers MMG - when the screwed end is flush with the cartridge seating (at Base Repair Level) or .5" below at Unit Level.

The gauges are in very good to excellent condition, although some have small patches of staining on the polished portion of the gauge. The photographs show average condition with the individual gauge illustrating probably the worst condition gauge.

Unit of sale; 1 Gauge.

British Army Part Number; SM128.

Later given the NATO Stock Number B2/5220-99-961-9930.

Stock No ARMRSTOOL 60.