Bren Lubricants

[tj214]

For Capt Laidler (and other experts on this site):

Newbie here. I’ve got your Sten book and am deeply impressed by your research depth and writing clarity. I’m in the US and own a semi-auto Sten Mk III and Mk V/5, which take me back to my childhood in the ‘50s when I thought the Tommys, Diggers, and Paras at Tobruk and Arnhem were the coolest guys ever. I’m retired US military and not a reenactor (but, hey, nothing wrong with those guys . . . ).

I request your help understanding British WW II gun lubricants. I’ve searched the internet for hours and am either doing poor searches or the info I need just ain’t there except in bits and pieces. Plus, the milsurps sellers all seem to use different nomenclature when describing the various lube containers.

I’ve just had my torch-cut Inglis Bren Mk II professionally rebuilt to semi-auto and am in the process of assembling a full complement of original cleaning, maintenance, & spare parts equipment for the gun.

I’ve collected all the physical tools, so the only remaining challenge is the identification of the lubes (and containers) as included in the Bren wallet and carryall, and their modern equivalents. My searches culminated upon finding your “1945 Miscellaneous Armourers Training Notes” (Laiderler[sic]-Misc.pdf) on MilSurps.com:

• Oil “A” - preservative & lubricant
• M.80 - preservative & lubricant, possibly the same as or equivalent to Oil “A”(?)
  • These two were apparently identified as “standard service oils” and also as “G.S. oils” but I can’t find the meaning of “G.S.”
• R.D.1179 graphited grease - for tropical use at higher temps (above 40° F); high quality heavy motor oil approved as emergency substitute in the Besa (cannot confirm also for the Bren)
  • To be carried in “bottles, oil” in approximately 1/2 oz volume. It appears “bottle, oil” is what’s today commonly called an oiler (tube) in plastic or brass
• Oil, low cold test, No. 1 (C.W.D. 726a) - for use below 40° F, and if the temp falls to -40°F/-40°C is to be diluted with 20% (or more) paraffin (since the US and UK have completely different definitions of this word, I assume this means what we in the US would call “kerosene”)
  • To be carried in any “can, oil, M.G.” of existing pattern, painted green for identification
  • It appears the “can, oil, M.G.” is the much larger (than the “bottle, oil”) metal or plastic can with the brush in the lid
• As far as I can tell, lubes other than "Oil, low cold test, No. 1” could also be carried in the “can, oil, M.G.;” hence the color coding
• Certainly not all these lubes were carried at the same time, but I want to obtain them all for my wallet & carryall, which I guess shows the historian in me!

Also, is it correct:

• “Bottle, oil” looked like this (different styles, colors, and materials) and was intended/used ONLY for graphited grease, including in Enfield Rifles? Part of my confusion is the conflation of "oil" and "grease;" in my US military experience these were distinctly different substances.

Attachment 100541

• “Can, oil, M.G” looked this this (different styles, colors, and materials) and was intended/used ONLY for the lower viscosity weight oils Oil “A,” M.80, and “oil, low cold test, No. 1:”

Attachment 100542

Would you explain what each of these lubes is/was, and their modern equivalents? I know this is an esoteric issue, but you’re the acknowledged expert.

Thanks much.

Dave

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Flying10uk]

This list makes several suggestions for "G.S." but I would suggest "General Service", however, there are probably other possibilities.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...ions_dec08.pdf

[Peter Laidler]

I'll explain the lineage of the oils when I can find the time.......

[tj214]

Thanks much. Standing by.

[Peter Laidler]

The old OIL A and the low temp oil was replaced in the late 40's for the nice/sweet smelling OIL, OX-52. This was replaced in the mid 70's by OIL OX-18. A very thin and runny oil. Armourers didn't really believe that this was a good replacement so the use a GREASE, Graphite XG-340 was introduced to compensate and use on sliding parts

As for GRAPHITED grease and GRAPHITE grease is that graphited is a normal sliding grease with graphite powder added during the mixing process at manufacture. Graphite grease is the grease produced during the breakdown of graphite with an oli mix and much thicker than graphited grease. GS = General service, as in Binoculars, GS or Lorry, Bedford QL, 3 ton, GS

Nobody really took the time and effort to remove the various oil cans and bottles. But the graphite grease came in little kakhi tubes or big 4lb tubs! IN went the tubes and OUT went the oil bottles. Alas, according to the QM's staff of blanket stackers, the CES had to be complete even though the various bits weren't used.

So, from the 60's there were only two lubricants for the Bren. OIL OX-52 or 18 and Graphite Grease. Then there was another used between the butt and the return spring tube (slather it on as thick as you can if you don't mind.....) PX-11 and XG-279

Others will hopefully chime in.........

[Flying10uk]

Tube of graphite grease seen here with this holdall and some variations of the oil can.

Various tubes of grease and oilers.

Also shown is a Canadian holdall and wallet.

[tj214]

Thanks to all. Does anybody have modern equivalents for each of these named lubes?

[Flying10uk]

British Cleaning Kit Graphite Grease 3/4oz Tubes X1 | eBay

[tj214]

Thanks. I just ordered the next to last one available.

[Kev G]

Tube of graphite grease seen here with this holdall and some variations of the oil can.

Various tubes of grease and oilers.

Also shown is a Canadian holdall and wallet.

I think credit should be given to Tom Ready (Bear) who put all the depicted 'red back' display pictures shown.

KG