Bren Gun: Help Needed!

Hi all,

I am about to receive an 1942 Inglis Bren Mk1m cutaway model. I am very excited, however, there is one catch: its completely disassembled down to every spring, pin and part (pics below).

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../2vjyltz-1.jpg

It is an extremely scary task to reassembled all 161 parts of the Bren Gun without screwing up. Is there any document, or information on the complete reassembly procedure for these weapons? What specialty tools to use (I already have the Mk1 multi-tool)? Any tips?

Also, what is the correct pattern of sling for an Inglis Mk1m?

Thanks,

MEERKOOS

Get the little SAIS booklet by Ian Skennerton titled THE BREN LIGHT MACHINE GUN. Read and digest that little book and then do it again - and again. To be honest, it still won't do you any good. You REALLY need to hope that someone near to you in CH is reading this, knows about them and comes forwards. Mind you, the guns originated from where you live so there should be some help locally..........

Contact Brian at BDL Ltd in SC, USA for the booklet. He advertises here.

Thanks Peter! I'll try my best.

Haha! What do you mean that the gun originated from where I live? I do not live in Czech Republic, if thats what you mean. "CH" stands for Switzerland.

Send it over to me...I'll get it together. If I have a hiccup, I'll pack up and go visit Peter.

I love box guns. They are the best puzzles.

Is the bolt and carrier inside the body?

if you are like me and won't be able to resist playing before the book gets there, there are exploded diagrams and pictures of some parts at:

BREN Parts
they should at least help you sort most of the parts into sub assemblies.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Send it over to me...I'll get it together. If I have a hiccup, I'll pack up and go visit Peter.

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Haha! I will first try to figure it out first! If I have trouble, I will contact you.

---------- Post added at 08:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:59 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by henry r

if you are like me and won't be able to resist playing before the book gets there, there are exploded diagrams and pictures of some parts at:

BREN Parts
they should at least help you sort most of the parts into sub assemblies.

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Thanks for the link! But don't worry, I have the book already! I asked my friend, who had this book laying around. Now I understand much better how things come together.

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vincent

I love box guns. They are the best puzzles.

Is the bolt and carrier inside the body?

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Yes they are. Very excited to receive a 10kg package this week!

---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 PM ----------

Also, any way to find a usable Mk1 combination tool? I can't seem to find them...

It's probably not as bad as it looks assuming that you have all the parts; if some of the parts are missing then, granted, you do have a bit of a problem on your hands. Assuming that all the parts are present I would tackle this using the same method which I use for flat pack furniture. Firstly I would try to identify as many parts as possible and some will be easy to identify such as the butt while others will be more of a challenge. I would then lay out the parts on the floor logically grouped together; for example all the butt group parts I would group together, neatly laid out on the floor and the parts that make up the rear fail sight I would group together, neatly laid out together on the floor. You will probably end up with a few bits left over which you haven't got a clue what they are or where they go and so simply photograph, post here and, hopefully, before long someone will tell you. When as many parts as possible have been identified and grouped together, as I've described, I would suggest trying to assemble as many sub-assemblies as possible, perhaps starting with the butt group. Assemble all the sub-assemblies that you can before trying to build up the complete gun.

If you run into problems along the way take some pictures, post here and ask for assistance.

Thanks a lot for the tips! Very anxious to see how this will turn out. Also, do you know where I can find a Bren Mk1 combination tool? Is it useful for reassembling? Can I use a cheaper ZB26 or ZB37 tool instead?

I wouldn't say that the Mk1 tool was essential more a nice to have tool. You can probably get by without one with a little thought, ingenuity and using modern tools.