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Need some help ? I want to put together a semi-auto Bren MkI that has the very early receiver double dove tail features , I have all of the receiver sections except for the first 3" that starts at the body locking pin going forward . I have tried all of the vendors that may have receiver sections for sale , but no luck . The receiver is marked with a Crown and dated 1940 . I though I would ask the members if they can help ?
The best way would be find three pieces that started out together. I can't even imagine trying to cobble together three mismatched pieces...I can't imagine having much success.Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
I assume you have never seen the MGS piles of slag that get turned into working bren’s.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
An Inglis Mk1 is similar in that area.
tr63,
Try brpguns.com.
BREN Receiver Sight Parts
Browningautorifle,
Fully functional semi-auto started out as demilled scrap:
I have one of BRP's Bren doubledove tail center cut sections that I want to build . Brain at BRP has only the center sections of a Bren for sale. He has no other sections to complete any build for a BREN . IMA is sold out of their early cut 3 piece receivers . I was hoping a member might have the first 3" section of the receiver that they did not need ,that I could use .
Yes, I've seen lots of them. Watched them be cut and helped reassemble...but still, I'd think a spare front end that started out elsewhere will be hard to match up. I guess you guys are desperate though... We resurrected lots of them before they all disappeared.
Jim the section I need is the one at the rear .That has the body locking cross bolt going through it . Jim Can I send you pictures for you to post in this tread of the pieces of the Bren I have ?Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
I thought you were looking for the front... Yes of course you can send them to me...check pm for email again.Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
Thanks Jim I will get the wife to take the pictures when she comes home latter today
tr63,
Do you really need a 3" piece from an "early" receiver or will a piece from any MK 1 work? On the pictures I've seen of the DD brens the rear 3 '' of the receiver appear to be identical to all of the Mk1's.
Military Gun Supply has demilled MK 1 receivers for $70.
If you haven't already checked, guys from this forum may be able to come up with some pieces:
Login (weaponsguild.com)
BAR is definitely right if they are not from the same gun they will take more work and fitting but what you are adding has no markings so you can grind away.
Good Luck,
Joe
A non DD Enfield Mk1 is machined differently in that area, as is a Lithgow but an Inglis Mk1 is very similar. If you’re handy with a mill, a good attempt could be made modifying an Enfield piece probably after welding up.
tr63, you need to definitely check out Weapons Guild if you are venturing into a semi auto build. Most of the guys here tend to be about the full auto Bren, but there are a good number of us "semi auto only" guys here.
Also, I am sure you know to keep checking GB. There is always something interesting popping up there. SOMETIMES you can find stuff on Armslist, but that tends to be a more fruitless search most of the time, as far as parts go.
One last comment. I believe there was a transition at some point during the Mk1 lifespan, as they went into the Mk1* and then the MkII version in short order. Mostly has to do with lightening cuts to the receiver. If I have this right, I believe the early MkI had them, but at some point in the MkI* transition, they eliminated them and section of that gun started to take on characteristics of the MkII. This MAY have some effect to the contours of the upper body as it transitions into the end of the receiver that you are looking for. Just make sure that your DD upper has a contour similar to the end section you are purchasing.
All the best! Keep us posted or send your questions this way!
Here's the pics as requested...Here as requested...Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
Thanks Jim for posting the pictures for me .
I got a update today from IMA that their web site now lists as in stock their early cut 3 section Bren receiver. It seems that they had incorrectly listed them out of stock last week !!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
I’m a bit lost with how many receiver sets you have there. 3?
One of them is ex Greek, one is an early Mk1 DD and one is a transitional (just realised the transitional is the ex Greek gun).
Thanks All for the info share on this. I've got two sets of Well torched doubledove tail bren receiver parts. So Thanks for the info. Someday I'll have to give them a go.
Later 42rocker
My goal is to make 2 BREN guns one is the IMA early cut signal dove that has the nice troch cut sections . It is a Mk I Lithgow M.A. 1940 .The second one is the double dove tail that has the complete center section intact with the cut that was made 3/8" before the locking shoulder and the second cut 4" ahead of the barrel locking nut, the area with the manufactures marking has been milled off ? The other sections are to be welded up to complete the rear of the double dove .The BRP center section will need no welding in the mag. well ,or the barrel nut a area making head spacing and mag. well area a no brainer ! I can head space the action as it will accept a barrel ,locking nut ,bolt, and my head space gauges . Any one have a ideal who made the BRP center section shown in the above pictures ?
The BRP centre section is from an Enfield made transition gun and is ex Greek. You’ll notice it’s had the ED logo and year milled off, and also the acceptance marks linished away.
The Lithgow Mk1 can’t be 1940 as they didnt start production until 1941.
I looked again at the Lithgow and it is marked 1942 !! Why did the Greeks mill off the logo etc.? What years would this receiver have been made ? Is the rear section pieces shown in picture number 2/4/6/8/9 correct to used for the Enfield receiver shown ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
Why did the Greeks mill off the logo etc.?
There’s a few stories about this, one is that they were Greek special Forces, another was that a large batch were stolen from a warehouse by terrorists and were sanitised to hide where they came from. What you will find (or would find if you had the whole body) is that every marking is removed and a new serial number was applied. As I have one with a 3 digit replacement number, I really don’t know the answer because that’s a lot of Brens to steal or for SF use.
What years would this receiver have been made ? 1940
Is the rear section pieces shown in picture number 2/4/6/8/9 correct to used for the Enfield receiver shown ? Yes, but the section with the locking pin hole looks very rounded at the rear, could be an osticle collusion.
Thanks for the reply . In your last sentence did you mean to say optical illusion ? Take care .Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
Yes, it was something my blind small arms instructor used to say, he had all sorts of phrases he’d put a twist on. He would be giving you a lecture and drop in a few altered words to see if you were awake.