Original Item: The following oil containers were issued for use with British machine guns during the first and second world wars. All are original issue. (See Dolf Goldsmith, The Grand Old Lady Of No Mans Land, page 506.)

Can, Oil, Small Arms, Mk III (Alternate-Steel). This oiler is made of stamped, plated steel and includes a brush attached to the cap. Introduced to reduce requirements for critical material and machine tool time compared with the brass Mk III. These are marked with the wartime secret manufacturers? code M617, which stands for Illingsworth & Co., Mansfield, G.B. For use with the Bren LMG, but also issued with Vickers and all other British machine guns of the period. This oiler is correct for the Bren spare barrel carrier and tool wallet.