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Legacy Member
A shot in the dark for our time served armourers
Last edited by tombear; 01-13-2014 at 08:56 AM.
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01-13-2014 08:54 AM
# ADS
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Phew......... The very last of the old BESA guns were withdrawn in 1966, from the last remaining Churchill tanks. Not your usual gun tabnks but the Armoured Engineer 'funnies' such as thge flails, bridgelayers and the old AVRE's that had these guns fitted.
The bench adaptor you show is a sort of gun cradle to make working on the gun easier in much the same way as we now have a similar cradle for the big .50 Browning and the AGL. But as for the thinggy shown, ain't got a clue. A few measurements might help but I wouldn't hold my breath
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Contributing Member
Peter,
Could it be a hot barrel support used outside of the tank turret to support a hot barrel before change. Only reason I mention that is a barrel change on a tank under fire must be like abseiling down the shard to clean a dirty pane of glass with one hand!!
Just a measured guess, as it clearly enters a lug of sorts and stands proud, and is retained by the holes at the base of the tube securely, whilst something is supported by the other end, and hollow to dissipate the heat more quickly.
I know on both the bren and the GPMG when barrels have been glowing, it was OK lifting the barrel off with one hand using the handles respectively for the use of........, but the hot end was always a loose cannon so to speak and uncontrollable, and needed to be laid to cool without picking up crap as it may be in use again fairly quickly. Just a thought!!!!!
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 01-13-2014 at 02:17 PM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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The Browning and the BESA come into the inside, as does the Vickers
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Legacy Member
That tool is more likely to be used by a Recovery Mechanic than an Armourer.......
Its used in rope work, splicing and lashing, there is also a wooden one.
An Armourer could use one IF he had misplaced his hammer.
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That sort of tool would be FAR too delicate for a reccy mech Skippy. Have you ever seen one working? Like removing tank track pins..........?
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Legacy Member
I think it is used to re form the rope , close the strands and keep it round. More of a forming/shaping tool.
Never seen a rechy much use one, its too small to play cricket with. And track pins can be taken out with their teeth.
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Thank You to skiprat For This Useful Post:
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Contributing Member
Just a question to clarify, did the BESA come in bound when hot barrel?
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
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Legacy Member
Yes folks, I've had it confirmed its a rope workers serving mallet, the hole in the handle is just for a lanyard to go. Bit of disappointment but it was only two quid and I do do the odd bit of rope work, admittedly not on stuff that wide. Thanks gentlemen, I live and learn.
ATB
Tom
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Legacy Member
Put it another way Tom. You couldn't make one for Two quid, could you? So at least you have a nice Ex Military Paperweight!.......
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