WWI Inkwell – Machine Gun Corps

This World War I-era brass inkwell likely was crafted for a soldier or officer of the Machine Gun Corps (MGC)—a unit renowned for its pivotal role in modernizing battlefield tactics during the Great War.

Physical Description

• Material: Solid brass.
• Form: Cylindrical with a hinged lid, featuring a triangular copper accent.
• Interior: Houses a white ceramic inkwell.
• Handles: Side-mounted loop handle attached.

Cap Badge Detail

• Emblem: Prominently affixed to the front is the Machine Gun Corps cap badge, featuring a crown above crossed Vickers machine guns—symbolizing royal authority and mechanized firepower.

• Symbolism: The badge reflects the Corps’ identity as a specialized unit formed in October 1915 to centralize and enhance the deployment of machine guns on the Western Front.

Historical Context

• The Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was created in response to the devastating effectiveness of automatic weapons in trench warfare.
• MGC units were trained to operate Vickers and Lewis guns, often under extreme conditions, and were considered elite due to their technical skill and strategic importance.
• The Corps was disbanded in 1922.