bren gun transit case questions

[newcastle]

Hi i have a couple of old bren gun cases to refubish. Couple of questions:
1. Is the wood Pine?
2. Does anyone have the specs in terms of thickness of the wood?
3. Any suggetsions what specifically I can best use to replace the canvas which acts as a seal behind the hinges.
Finally I am really trying to avoid replacing the lid which is badly cracked because it still has stickers and transfer records dated 1938 written in greek (literally) on the inside, so what should I use to glue it. I am considering gorilla glue, marine epoxy or standard wood glue. which is best?
actually REALLY finally, does anone have a set of hinges and clasps for one of these things kicking around for my second chest?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Box lid. Clamp together across the top. Mount lid vertically/upright in a vice and drill through widthwise at 3 equidistant points then use wood glue to join AVOIDING GORILLA GLUE LIKE THE PLAGUE......... Now use the correct size wood dowels, glue the holes and dowels and knock dowels in. Allow to dry/cure and the lid will be as solid/stronger than the day it was made

The canvas was just heavy duty lorry canopy. To repair them the Equipment Repairers shop just used old khaki kitbags that were made from the same stuff. I think the wood was called 'pitch pine'. Maybe TBone can tell us what is the correct name but it had to be knot free. The top seal was horsehair matting.

BDL will have a source for the canvas

Next question.........................

[newcastle]

Is there any significance to the interior of the box being painted orange at all. Were they all like this or is this a greek thing? And do you have any suggestions about how to tighten up the dovetail joints at the corners. They are still holding tight but have dried out and spaced out a bit over the years.

[Kev G]

Chest material list -



1940 Alternative list (handwritten-not yet official)



Orange painted insides of chests are ussually signs they have been through Austrailian hands at some point.

Lid,sides,ends and bottom are given as 3/4inch

Will have a look for furniture when it stops raining.

ATB Kevin

[newcastle]

Attachment 28559Thank you sir. If you can come up with a set of hinges and clasps I will be very very appreciative. Interesting that the orange interior may mean Australian links. The paper pasted inside the lid has a double headed eagle which could be one of many places.

[Brit plumber]

The 1938 Greek paper work must be a date other than 1938. By the end of 1938 Enfield had produced approx 7000 Brens so I doubt they would have sold any to the Greeks, especially when they must have had an Idea that war was on the horizon, not only that, but as far as I'm aware Enfield could only make guns under licence for the dominions, the Greeks would have to purchase Brens from BRNO.

[newcastle]

Let me check when I get home tonight. Of course I can't actually read the greek stuff so it might say something like - "Date of manufacture" and then 1938 is written beside it.

[newcastle]

And anyone - tips for revitalizing Dovetails without taking them apart??? If there are none then I guess I might have to dismantle.....

[Kev G]

Twin headed eagle of Zeus symbol is for Greek General staff (I think)
It can be seen on the Greek Armed forces website -
Hellenic Army General Staff - Home

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

Take the bull by the horns and dismantle it if the corners need repairing.

If anyone has a box with EON and year stamped in on the end, it's Elliots of |Newbury who were makers of high quality furniture until the late 70's

And Horsa troop carrying gliders too