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Here is my Bren Tripod. All I can say is that it is a MK2.
I think the tripod and T&E are dated 1942. The traverse stops are a bit different than what I have seen before.
Who made this one?
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The Traverse stops are the simplified MK.2 Variants.
The MK.I's were a crosshead 'Tap' like clamping handle. Either is correct when fitted really. as the manufacturer fitted whatever parts were in his Factory at the time. Remember, these were produced during Wartime. A LOT of differing light Engineering firms. Made different weapon components for ALL SORTS of differing types of weapons & Equipment.
The dispersal of these Firms all over the UK. Ensured that if one particular company's premises were Bombed & put out of action. Another could continue production, or switch what it was making. To produce parts/ components that were of a higher priority.
We would need to see any other markings/ stamps on the tripod to see if there are any clue's as to who originally made it in 1942.
I will need to clean it up and look for more markings, I see that most of the serial numbers start with a letter. This one is not so. I will report back when I find some more markings.
It's a BSA MK2, the number is I540 rather than 1540. I suspect it started life as a Mk1* as I've records of later serialised tripods being Mk1* and the earliest Mk2 being I5174.
Interesting, that would explain why the holes were drilled on the other side for the clips used to store buttstock grip handle.
Refresh me if you would... MK1, AA capable with cut slot for SMLE rifle, MK1* omitted the slot for the SMLE, and MK2 omitted the AA capability?
Yep, pretty much there but in addition the Mk1* had a front adjustable leg without the AA adapter. These legs can be found in various stages from, AA adapter just removed to never machined for the adapter. The Mk1* is basically an intermediate Tripod between Mk1 and 2 with about 8000 produced (From what I can gather from serial numbers).
The traverse stops on your tripod are MKI's not MK2's as has been suggested.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5ae57641-1.jpg
ATB KG
Always worth remembering that in service, there was always a degree of what we called mix-and-match to keep equipment serviceable. It was a rule of thumb that this mix and match was acceptable/permissable UNLESS the bible said otherwise. One example is that we weren't allowed to mix and match Mk/type of barrels.
I get the mix and match thing. Common with US equipment as well. The M1 Carbines were a good example of collective manufacturing effort.
With the tripods there is not much information out there ( not much I could find anyways). Dugelby's book has but a mention of them. I understand these were almost never used in combat and are just a novelty today. They are extremely hard to find now a days in the US, I am quite happy I was able to make a trade for this one.
Thanks for the information all, the only thing I thought I knew (that it was a MK2 variant) turned out to be wrong....
One more question, What type of webbing was used to carry these? I have seen some with crossed straps, and some that look like just a pair of rifle slings.
I have heard of sling thinggies to carry these but in service I never ever heard of or saw such a beast. Saw hundreds of the tripods though but never a sling. The tripod wasn't the sort of thing used by a section on the move or advance so a sling would be redundant in any case. It was used in the defensive role really or in the OHF role. THey were all stored in an old hangar at the end of the vehicle sheds or under the raised firing point of out 25 metre range. Out of sight, out of mind!
I believe it's 2 standard Rifle slings, not the X Strap. The X strap is from a ammo box carrier I think or possibly a universal harness as I've seen some with short straps and some with long. If the short straps are fitted, you couldn't even get it over a shoulder never mind on your back. Let's say that an entrepreneur came up with a story to sell scrap webbing at a profit.
Bent wrench says that there's not much info out there on the tripods but there is a complete EMER relating to them and an illustrated parts list somewhere. Whoever designed it should have been tied to it and just before he was thrown into the sea, still attached to it, he should have been made to look at and inwardly digest the design of the simple .30 Browning tripod!
It's a 'Bulk Load Carriage Harness, carrying, infantry, G.S.'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
Bulk Load Carriage: Harness
As you say, they got conveniently re-designated by militaria dealers at some point. I once managed to seriously cheese off a chap on the wwiireenacting forum when I pointed out that the 'Bren tripod harness' he was selling wasn't. The 'logic' of his riposte that I couldn't prove they had never been used to carry Bren tripods still makes me chuckle.:lol:
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Designed in Czechoslovakia along with the gun I believe. I remember thinking when I got mine one that it was so overdesigned it could be German. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
The original Czech design was even worse! I think it was called 'the grasshopper' or something like that. Full of whistles and bells and.............. You onow the sort of thig, over engineered to the Nth degree. As I always say, common sense eventually prevailed and the big stuff was left to the big boys with their mortars and Vickers while the thing that the Bren excelled at, that of a section machine gun ruled the roost.
Peter: What was it about the barrels? Does the gun know the difference?Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
M
Good question Mike. I don't suppose there would be any ballistic difference between a Mk1 and 2 barrel but you'd probably notice it if you mixed them with a short Mk3 gun barrel. I expect the reason was just one of aesthetics really. Another example was the SLR/L1A1. Not to mix plastic and wood furniture.
Like I said, our job was to keep stuff serviceable and 'on the road' so to speak. So we'd do what was needed unless it said otherwise