Buying a deact Bren

[David TS]

I'm after buying a deact Bren.

Why? Well, I shot one in the Army and Air Cadets circa 1969, I've got a No 4 (T) and straight pull L1A1 in the cupboard for the same reasons (and Peter won't sell me a L98A1 :( ;) ), so it's just to cuddle really :D

Anything I should particularly look out for? I'm not after historical importance, nor technical correctness, and prefer the simpler looks of the Mk II.

An early deact would make sense as it should cock and dry fire.

Apart from that as far as I can see all I need to go for is the cheapest tidy one I can find :D

Any helpful pointers?

Anyone got a nice tidy cheap one for sale? ;)

[tankhunter]

ANY of the Bren LMG series SHOULD have a fully working dry fire action in the UK.
There is no requirement to weld solid a Bren. It comes under the 'dedicated' LMG class in Section 8 Of the Deact requirement specs as a True LMG. & thus does NOT need to be welded up solid. The Barrel however, MUST be pinned or Welded to the Reciever to prevent removal. The action itself, CAN be field stripped.

Buy any one of the Bren variants, they are all nice!.....:thup:

[Robert303]

Has anyone any idea of current prices in the U.K for 'Old Spec' D.A. Mark 1 Bren Guns. I've tried to check the usual websites but there seems to be a dearth of Brens at the moment.

[Brit plumber]

Currently they are runing at £500 to £600 but as mentioned above, the only diffrence between old and new spec Brens is a few minor points like pinning the flash eliminator on and removing the locking shoulder and welding the hole up. If you would like a Mk1 you can buy for less but requires some tidying up, let me know as I have one.

This site lists Brens from many dealers.

Guns for sale | GunStar
(http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Advert/Gun-Search-FreeText.aspx?newSearch=1&ft=bren)

[Peter Laidler]

Let me know if you want a Mk2. I know of plenty

[Robert303]

Thanks. I'd forgotten Gunstar. Had tried Guntrader but none on it when I looked. There are two coming up at a local auction so at least I have an idea what to bid. Hopefully I can then sell them on to help fund my shooting!

[Peter Laidler]

Did you ever feel inclined to take up these worthy offers Dave TS?

[LesterH]

http://www.chelmsfordmilitaria.com Have just had a delivery of Brens. Budget of about £500 should get you one. I bought a very nice Inglis Mk1M, 1942, from him a few years ago. Hope this helps, Lester

[bigduke6]

Another site to look on is Milweb, has a very nice 25 Lb field gun on the Artillery section, a snip at £10,000 if anyone has a slot on there ticket ?

The link below will get you to the Deacs

Deactivated Weapons For Sale MILWEB Classifieds (http://www.milweb.net/classifieds.php?type=16)

[Kev G]

The links seem to point mostly to 'Franken-brens' but then again the OP said he wasn't worried about "technical correctness" but for the sort of money being asked I would !

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

He hasn't come back to acknowledge our contributions to his quest to find one ................

[Brit plumber]

I think he just wanted a guide price to pay at auction. If he could get them at a low enough price to sell them on and make a profit then he would bid. I think the original post was used to get a reply.

[Peter Laidler]

Just seen a first variant, DE Mk1 1940 E-1098 for your records

[Robert303]

Hello,
I saw this thread and added my post asking about guide prices as there was a small auction house near me holding it's annual 'Militaria and Toy' sale. It normally deals in house clearance junk. There were 2 Mk1 Brens and an MG42/53 all 'Old Spec' with certificates. There was also a rather horrible Jaeger .22 AR15 copy DeaAct.

The first Bren went for £400 and the MG42/53 and the second Bren for £375. Commission a very good 12.5% making them £422. WITHOUT CERTS which had got lost!

I report this for info. It was intersting seeing the link to chelmsford who seem to be the only dealer with more than one at the moment. Should I get the chance I'll post pics of the Bren I got with nos etc as I'll be interested to see if I've got a good one or not.

Thanks again to all those that contributed. Peter. will you be at the Trafalgar Meeting? If so I'd like to meet you, just to put a face to the 'Legend'.

[Peter Laidler]

Trafalgar meeting................ when is it. I was most probably at the original with Nelson!

[Brit plumber]

Just seen a first variant, DE Mk1 1940 E-1098 for your records

Cheers Peter, thats a close number to one of my Brens. I've another nice 1929 No.2 Mk1 on its way, number Fourty somthing so real early. Have you retired yet?

[Robert303]

The Trafalgar is Sat and Sun 20th 21st October. I'll get there late Fri night. We set up the stand on Sat and depending on trade leave about 3pm on Sunday as it's a long drive back in the dark.

[David TS]

He hasn't come back to acknowledge our contributions to his quest to find one ................

Sorry all, I hadn't seen recent posts to the thread.......I've been on another mission - this new little acquisition below has taken up most of my recent time ;)

Peter

When I first posted, you kindly PM'd me a contact - David Thomas - and I thanked you for that at the time ;)

I got in touch with him and ordered one at the time, and chased him up subsequently, but haven't heard a squeak from him :(. I'll chase him up again.



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