Just picked up a Bren mag loader in excellent condition.
Attachment 100858
Can't find a manual or instructions. Any leads?
Thanks.
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Just picked up a Bren mag loader in excellent condition.
Attachment 100858
Can't find a manual or instructions. Any leads?
Thanks.
There is a U-tube 60 second film showing your hopper type loader in action .
Very helpful--thanks. Still looking for official documentation as well. I just like to have the regs/manuals for all the equipment I own.
It is a snug fit in the Bren chest, left hand side at the bottom. That is the reason for the circular recess cut into the side of the chest. 2 types were available. 1 for ammo in clips and one for loose boxed ammo. But guess what........ You could be sure that if you had a CLIP loader, your ammo would come in loose form. And if you had LOOSE loaders........, guess what? So PDQ the loading machines were put into store because the rifle sections found that they could load magazines, jamb free in a few seconds by hand within a few seconds. Thereafter the TOET was changed to incorporate loading mags by hand and by 91940, mag loaders were consigned to the bin labelled the TWOT bin in forces parlance. Total Waste Of Time
Thanks, Peter. That certainly explains why these devices are so scarce (and expensive).
I might be speaking out of turn, here, and you can shoot me down if you care.
You'll probably find any ex-Servie (well, Army at least and for those that have Marines, I'll include them out of manners) would shun most of the gadgets "collectors" think are wonderful and necessary bits of kit. CES can be quire exhaustive and doesn't always get taken into the field (bush...) when you have to pack and carry it. You take the important hings.
Tests Of Elementary Training (TOET) for weapon handling requires the Digger (insert your National term of endearment for soldier) to hand load mags at a certain pace and accuracy.
Brens were no different. In later years when the Bren was superseded by the useless Automatic Rifle L2A1 (in Australian Service) the Dig needed to load the required 30 rounds per mag in a certain time frame.
Surprisingly, prior to the next action, all Section members would help the No 1 and No 2 on the gun load mags. It took far less time and effort than you'd think. And relieved the mind boggling frenetic move form boredom to terror and excitement.
While they're another physical accoutrement, they're not an item that you'd find many Digs worrying about. Nice to collect, but as Peter Laideler says another WAFTAM. (you can work that one out yourself...)
Still today, we had to load a 30 rd rifle mag in 55 seconds with loose ammo and 25 second with the mag charger. Lots of time, but give it a try some time cold and see how long it actually takes YOU...Quote:
Originally Posted by 22SqnRAE
We used to just strip a couple of clips or pick up a slack handful of ammo in our right hand (or left hand if you were one of the cack-handers), hold the mag on our left knee and slip the rounds in, push back. next in, push back next in push back and so on. After about a minute it became second nature. I do remember that the gun crews REALLY used to get arsey if they were shouting for magazines - and you passed them part empty mags. Watch the foul language fly then.............
The superannuated idiots in the War Ministries think these sorts of gadgets are a great idea; the man who actually has to carry all this stuff into the field, and weigh up the value of every ounce, has a sterner test.
I do not disagree with some of what is said in this post and other treads about the loader , but I have found it very use full . My hands no longer can operate the way they use to 50 years ago . Maybe in the 1940's young men in their late teen's and 20's could load the Bren mag. in the rain ,snow or what ever in 25 seconds . But to the same men in their latter years who are at the range with their semi-auto Mk I and Mk II and want to fire off 500 rounds or so , it is very use full . It makes a Saturday after noon a fun time . It also fills a space in the Bren chest very well .
tr63, not challenging or disparaging any of your comments, but in light of some things said, I often collect based on practicality. Practicality of price and usefulness.
I long ago owned a Bren Tripod to go with an early foray into the semi auto Bren world. As a man of limited means, I have to pick and choose as I can afford. The semi auto gave me so much trouble, that after 3 trips back to the maker, it was decided to release me from my ownership of burden. Got a refund for said rifle and limped forward. Had the Bren tripod for a while after as it was purchased separately from the gun. I noticed prices climbing and sold the heavy bastard. Decided BIPODS were more useful and cheaper. IF I was lucky enough to own full auto, a tripod may be a MUCH more useful item, but as it was, I was mostly into combat rifle copies and other semi autos. Everything under 12 pounds for many years, until recently.
Now, I see Bren tripods on GB for $2k!!?? Can't repeat my normal reaction to that pricing, but it does include the term WTF!? They are OFF my collectors radar. I treat the Bren mag loader much the same way.
I am nearly retirement age, but I still prefer to hand load the mags. There is something reassuring about feeling each round as it gets properly fed and seated. Hard to get from ramming a stripper or using a hopper. Of course I am only on range time, no combat pressure. Good thing about the Bren mag is they are double feed, but for anyone that owns Sten mags or Grease gun mags, they know what a bear a single feed mag type can be. There, you really do need a mag loader, something more stabilized than a pencil or a stick. lol. Have used BOTH in the past, but the simple pressed steel mag loaders for the M3 or even Spoon Loader for the Sten offers a world of ease for your thumb. Those items have not reached the upper echelon of collectors pricing yet, but they MAY one day??
Much like the comments and insights from those that have been there and experienced that, I tend to shy away from the stuff that in reality, serves little purpose. Would rather spend that money on ammo or beer.
No disrespect intended. I just realize what drives my collecting senses at times. Practicality is certainly part of that.
I am not sure what your retirement age is but if it is 65. Than I am well past that number .You may have fingers that are working fine ,but maybe in in a few more years things may not be the same and loading the mag. will be pain full for you . The Mag. loader makes it very easy for some folks . I purchased my Wise-lite MkII a little over 2 years ago at Poulin's Auction House for $3700.00 . It came with the Mk I tripod , Mk II bipod ,correct carry sling , 12 extra Bren mags. in the metal carry case , a complete carry all with all tools oil bottle etc., the gunners wallet with all the items that belong in it , a spare barrel ,12 extra mag. springs . It had one problem that the barrel would not slide off as it should . The gas cylinder was out of round in the IDA. changed it out and all was good to go .The gun runs 100 % mag. after mag. with out a hang up. I all ready had a wooden carry chest for the Bren Gun that I purchased from SARCO 30 years ago for $25.00 each .Picked up correct steel cleaning rod for the chest along with the mag . loader that fits in the lower left corner bottom . As you know I recently purchased the South African Bren .308 barrel along with 2 ZB 30 8x56r Mags. the barrel head spaced perfect and the gun runs great . Still missing a few things .I am more of a collector and shooter . I did not see my post on the mag . Loader as any ting other than saying it works . In war time troops dumped many items that they saw little use for . And that is what posters have stated ,but for the collector the Mag. loader is a part of the Bren Chest that was issued in the early years of the war . As I understand it my 1939 Bren chest came with one .
Your MkII purchase sounds like a very nice package. I would be proud to own that, but building it piece by piece now would be my challenge. All things Bren related are interesting to me, but as time has marched on, some pieces are just too expensive to me to be a pratical purchase. But that is only my perspective. I respect your collecting reasoning just as much as mine. It is always great when those items provide us with the pleasure of the pursuit of happiness. With all respects.