Original Item: The original British nomenclature for this item is Rod, Cleaning, .303-in., M.G., Mk 2, and it was adopted officially during WW1 on 1 October 1915. This is the rod that fit into brackets in the front of the Chest, Vickers or Lewis, .303-in., M.G. The rod itself is steel and is attached to a swiveling steel handle. The gun chest is fitted with a specially shaped bracket to hold the hollow handle of the rod. Most of the handles show British marking. These original Mk 2 rods have become hard to find today.