MK 1 bren tipod

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Originally Posted by smlemk111

Thanks for the pictures that will make it much easier to fab up some repro parts. Just a couple of questions. With the mount at the end of the bracket open on the top does the bren lock in or does it just sort of hook into the bracket? My tripod os painted a dark flat green and it I am sure is a recent paint job is the colour of your pictured tripod the original color. Thanks Alan from Portland Oregon

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The Bren simply Hangs on that 'Hook' as you call it. Belive it or not, gravity pulls it down as well as the firer pulling the gun into his shoulder in usage in the A role. The gun hangs from the underside front mounting pin, simple as that! So yes, it is 'Open' at the top ie: half moon if you like.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Exactly Tankie! It's like the wire cutters........... It'd be cheaper to give everyone a set of good quality 'snap-on' pliers that would slip into any bit of kit he has. At least a pair of pliers is versatile, unlike those wire cutters on the scabbard

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Pete, the trend has been for a few years now that the lads would obtain 'Leatherman Tools' at thier own expense. A Very good multi-tool with a pliers facility as well. They are usefull in the field for bodge jobs to get you out of trouble. But nothing as good a a correct tool for the job at hand. I suspect also, that a lot of the guys bought them, but they hung on the waistbelt in thier pouches. Looking 'War-ey' (Ally if your Airborne!) & saw little use!........Certainly did away with can openers, other knives, screwdrivers, spanners, etc, etc. In my opinion, usage of this tool indiscriminately would result in damage to most fixings & fasteners!

While it does 'hang' on the hook......, slightly..........., it is quite ingenious because it has to be put into the hook in a set 'past horizontal' position and as it's lowered, another little knob/lug on the butt slide prevents the gun jumping out of the hooked part.

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Originally Posted by tankhunter

Pete, the trend has been for a few years now that the lads would obtain 'Leatherman Tools' at thier own expense. A Very good multi-tool with a pliers facility as well. They are usefull in the field for bodge jobs to get you out of trouble. But nothing as good a a correct tool for the job at hand. I suspect also, that a lot of the guys bought them, but they hung on the waistbelt in thier pouches. Looking 'War-ey' (Ally if your Airborne!) & saw little use!........Certainly did away with can openers, other knives, screwdrivers, spanners, etc, etc. In my opinion, usage of this tool indiscriminately would result in damage to most fixings & fasteners!

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Canada started issuing the leatherman tool about a decade back. While it turned out to be a very useful and well liked implement, we did experience an increase in guys visiting the MIR for the first while. Turns out that the blades on these were actually razor sharp, unlike the old C1 pocket knife. Some of the guys learned too late that if you drop it with the knife portion extended, not to try and catch it.

We also had a small 'KNIFE, pocket, with locking blade' that was quite useful. It also had a can and bottle opener too. I don't think that they're issued now.

As a bit of an aside, during a discussion about a 'new' bayonet, they still insisted that it should be a multi tool too. I suggested to Lt Col Tony ------ that maybe a proper multi tool or pair of good pliers might be a better option for the Infantry. He hummed and haa'd, thought and commented that with all these things, we have to bear in mind our responsibilities with regards to health and safety etc etc in the workplace and in action. I said 'Tony, we're talking about giving them fxxxxxg BAYONETS here..............' To which we all had a chuckle

SMLE MkV as AA leg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/11/21-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/11/11-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...010/11/3-1.jpg

AA leg locking pin, missing the spring.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...010/11/4-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...010/11/7-1.jpg

I've taken a load more if you want me to email them.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...010/11/8-1.jpg

This is my Mk1* front leg, does your look like this, or is there an obvious gap?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/11/61-1.jpg

This is the leg axle thingy on my mk1* and it has the hole for the AA leg locking pin, even though it was never to be used for such.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...010/11/5-1.jpg

Hi Thanks for the additional pictues. No my front leg doesnt look like your Mk1*, on my front leg from the foot end in the AA mount configuration about 3 inches from the foot it has a stop for the bracket that holds the brengun which is about 1and1/2 inches and in length then it is threaded for about 1/2 inch with a fine thread for the peice that retains the tripod bracket to the leg, the tube that the I am talking about is about 1and1/4 inches OD. My tripod didn't come with the third leg for use in the AA configuration. Please send me your pictures my email is majagun@aol.com Thanks Alan in Portland Oregon

If anyones interested in the actual mechanics of the AA part of the tripod, then look at Peregrines thread about the Monotype Mk2 and picture 3 shows the small square stud near the fromt mounting pin. This lug clears the tripod AA hook in the over horizontal mounting position but interrupts the hook when it's lowered. While the gun does hand from the hook, it is prevented from coming off (unless it's properly dismounted) by this little block of steel.

Later on, during the 60's, the factory wanted to eliminate this stud on the later Mk3 butt slides then in production because it meant MUCH unnecessary machining and expense. The MoS refused because the butt slides were a big export item and while the UK didn't need the block, other nations might have needed it and it was a part of the original design and drawings. Quite WHO might need it is a mystery. That's the only reason why I knew about this little block of steel and the reason it's on the butt slide.

There, another useless bit of Enfield knowledge for you

Those spring loaded pins and lock wheels shown on the bipod were all retained with pins. During the rebuild programmes, we didn't use the pins as they were sometimes difficult to find and remove and a waste of rations. We used split pins. But you had to smooth the split ends off to get rid of the sharp edges.

Thank you Peter for that explination of how the Bren is locked into what I call the mounting bracket in AA mode for lack of a better name. I wondered what the peice if metal next to the "hooks" purpose is and now I know, its the lock. I just couldnt understand how the Bren could sit on the "hook" with no lock and be fired without it coming off. I had never noticed the bit of metal you have pointed out.

I have the MKI* tripod, it has the extendable front leg but no provisions for mounting the gun or AA extensions. A friend of mine has said he has an extra MKI front leg with the mounting point for the gun. Is it possible to take the front leg he has and replace mine with it? By the looks of the pictures, I'd also need a new tripod head to get the AA extension mounting point?

Yep, you need a head with the machining for the SMLE or 3rd leg. Or, if you have access to one with the AA head, you can have your Mk1* machined to the same dimensions. I have seen one which has been modified this way.