Fixed up Bren Mk I

Some pics of an Inglis Bren Mk I that I acquired which was desperately in need of some TLC. It had be torch cut across the receiver and gas assembly at some point, then someone had a go at welding it up, but it wasn't straight and wouldn't take a magazine.

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I cut it up again re-welded, smoothed it out and cold blued to help disguise it. The hand grip had been burnt and a big chunk filled with putty, which I removed and spliced with an appropriate bit of walnut.

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It was certainly one of the more extreme restorations that I've attempted, but I'm pretty happy with the result.

Wow! the other guy must have used an elephant trunk to weld it up pretty bl**dy snotty effort, great recovery bloke.

Yeah, I don't like to criticize as the former owner is probably a collector like the rest of us, just not the world's best welder. Not that I am either, but...

Nice work! Good clean up!

Nice recovery, I've seen a few slop jobs too. You need to have love to do it to some perfection. At least it looks like the original group of scraps stayed together. I've seen a Mk1 gun with a Mk2 gas system welded on... Nice piece now.

Poor double dovetail.
There is a difference in welding trailer hitches & gun stuff.

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Originally Posted by BurtonP

just not the world's best welder.

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It looks like it was initially welded with a "stick rod arc welder". Looking at the welds it looks like too large a diameter welding rods were used combined with too much current for the job in hand. One of the problems with this type of welding is that a relatively large amount of weld slag is produced in the welding process and, if the weld is less than perfect, this welding slag can get partially embedded in the weld, producing a weak, unsightly weld.

I fixed it with an arc welder. Not all welders, people or machines, are the same. :D

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Originally Posted by BurtonP

Not all welders, people or machines, are the same

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I've seen that.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

At least it looks like the original group of scraps stayed together

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Yeah, I was really pleased that the bipod was the early extendable type. FYI it's 1941 dated with serial number 230.