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Flow chart of magazine configurations for the Bren
Mk1 Mk1* Mk1**(2) Mk2(2) Mk2* Mk3(1)
Case, Mk1 x
or
Case, Mk2 x x x x x
containing
Auxiliary spring x x x x x
Guide, platform x x x x x x
Base plate Mk1(+) x x
and
Retainer, Mk1 (+) x x
Or
Base plate Mk1* (#) x and all others
and
Retainer, Mk1*(#) and all others
Platform, Mk1 x x x
Or
Platform Mk2 x x
Or
Platform, Mk3 x
Spring, platform, Mk1 x x x x
Or
Spring, platform, Mk2 x x x x
+ or # = Can only be used as a pair
1) = Magazine of new manufacture
2) = Possible configuration by unit level conversion
The authority for these conversions states that conversion from Mk1* to Mk1** will only be undertaken as and when stocks of the Mk1 bottom plates and retainers are used up. When Mk1* bottom plates and retainers are issued as spare parts, they should be fitted to the magazines in accordance with drawing DD(E) 2254-IP. A copy of this drawing is included as Fig ….. Mk2 magazines should be regarded as factory manufactured Mk1* magazines as opposed to modified. On the introduction of the Mk1** and the Mk2* magazines, the Mk1, 1* and 2 are obsolescent. The Mk3 magazine was introduced under LoC C-738 in November 1943 to Enfield drawing DD(E) 3417. It differs from the old Mk2* type in that the auxiliary spring is spot-welded in during production and therefore forms an integral part of the case. This has been introduced in order to simplify production and the auxiliary spring is not a replaceable part as in other magazines. All other components are of the latest pattern.
I have put this here and tried to tabulate it as taken from the manuscript. But I cannot get it to tabulate when it comes up here - so it's still confusing. And I can't be bothered to write it all up again.
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As a matter of (little ?) interest, the manuscript for just the magazines listed below covers 17 size 10 font size pages
The MAGAZINE, BREN .303” MG, No1 all marks,
The MAGAZINE, 7.62mm MG X3, L3 and L4 series
and
The MAGAZINE, 100 round, Bren MG, Mk 1 & 2
And of things magazine generally… …
(For detail of the .303” magazine loading tools, see ‘The CES’
One of the most difficult items of gun related equipment to manufacture is without doubt, the magazine. The magazine has been described as somewhat similar to a fire extinguisher. It must work instantly, the first time the trigger is pulled. There is no chance to try it out … … There’s a saying in the Army; ‘…if you do and it doesn’t, you’re done’! Quite what the problems were while designing the ‘new’ .303” magazine for the Bren were, can be imagined especially as it originated from a rimless 7.92mm format type. But let’s talk first about one of the design features above all others, the magazine spring.
Then follows another 16 pages of pure technical crap....... with the next 2 pages discussing the magazine spring. And afterwards, each part getting the same treatment!
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Is there any way of easily identifying Bren mags with the auxiliary spring that were originally MK1 mags without the auxiliary spring? I assume that many MK1 mags were up-graded to include an auxiliary spring although I'm not sure that I have ever seen it stated that this was the case.
