1943 Monotype MkII

[peregrinvs]

I've finally gotten around to getting one of those Photobucket account thingamabobs. So just for the hell of it, here are the pre-cleaning pictures I took of the Monotype MkII I got at Beltring this year. (And that I keep boring you all about...)

Note the improvised sling swivels attached to the tripod mount pins, which have since been removed. As well as a full strip-down and clean of the metal components, I have refreshed the dry as a stick woodwork with a hearty draft of linseed oil.

Mark

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned1-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned2-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned3-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned5-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned6-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned7-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/11/DaimlerMonotypeMkIIBrenuncleaned4-1.jpg

[Brit plumber]

Very nice mate, and only 200 after mine. Both of ours apper to have mismatched barrel nuts.

ATB, Chris.

[peregrinvs]

Both of ours apper to have mismatched barrel nuts.

My one is 'force-matched' with the receiver number electropencilled on. It is the correct maker though. (Climax Rock Drill?)

I've also put a 1942 British made sling on it in what I believe is the correct way for a British MkII - i.e. no sling hooks used.

Cheers,
Mark

[Peter Laidler]

It is indeed a sight to warm the heart on a dull, cold winters day. Our Indian Army Liaison Officer here (a Paratrooper) always told me he wanted to shoot a Bren. So he gets his wish next week................ .303 of course............

To be honest, unless I could engrave the barrel nuts (usually at Large Command or Base workshops) I used to electro-pencil the numbers on. They were made of diamond hard material and if the case hardening, said to be about .014" or so thick extended down the handle part, they could/would quickly blunt the number stamp punches

[peregrinvs]

Diverting slightly: you'll notice that the butt-slide is bare metal. What finish would have been used originally and what finish has been used on the Daimler receiver?

Cheers,
Mark

[Peter Laidler]

I noticed that Peregrine. I don't think that it's bare as such but that the phosphating solution was at the end of its life...... by about a year! It gives it a real wishy washy finish when it's past its sell by date

We used to test our phos tanks with a sort of hydrometer thing and the operator used to tell me that it was '...... like making love in a punt'. 'What do you mean Steve' I said. 'I knew you'd ask.....' was his reply. 'fxxxxxg close to water................' Oh well, just English humour but it probably raised a smile

[peregrinvs]

Thanks. I hadn't thought of that. Presumably it's the result of a post-British service refurb?

Mark

[Peter Laidler]

Looking at the photos and the finish, I don't think that you'rs has been refinished in Britain or by the Army as it's not painted. I'd say it was the factory wishy washy finish. Incidentally, photo 3 highlights a little knob sticking out of the front of the butt slide. This little knob is what prevents the butt slide from coming undone from the hook of the AA mount when it's in place