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Looking for one and wondering where the heck all the original or if reproductions were made where they went. D&B has what looks like a nice set but shipping across the pond is not cheap.
How many MKI Bren's ended up with transition wood like the MKII or the non-hump back stock?
I am collecting parts for a future build and picked up a double dovetail center section from BRP.
Finding the rear section for the MkI is going to be very hard for you that is not very badly troch cut and buildable . I also purchased a BRP center section MkI double dove tail and I had to look for a very long time to find the rear section to go with the BRP receiver.
There is a lot of photographic evidence to show later production Mk1 Brens with Mk1 butts fitted from new. The Mk1 butt was declared obsolescent at some date unknown, probably when Enfield ceased producing them and started using the far superior no-frills Mk2 butts*. Obsolescent = use up existing stockpiles. The Mk1 butt was probably NEVER declared obsolete because obsolete = withdraw from service and we know that it was never actually withdrawn. So, in short, there will NEVER be an actual number of Mk1's with Mk2 butts. But I can tell you that the Mk1 butt was a load of tat and the bane of any Armourers life!
* Mk2 butts weren't made at Enfield so far as we know but by a woodworking firm in Ipswich who made Sten Mk5 butts
Right now it looks like my only option is to buy the repo wood or keep looking.
It's too bad there is no stash of service replacement unearthed but most were either used up or firewood now.
I just love the classic look of the hump back stock.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
BRP is getting low on Bren items.
The do have several MKII sections available and I am kicking around getting one or just picking up a decent MKII parts set when one appears.
Be very surprised if there are repro parts for LMG's. Original parts have likely been destroyed long ago.
Gunparts is listing a Mk II Stock & Slide Group Assembly at $130 though. Comes with a butt stock.
Cal50 has already stated the obvious. There are butts in the UK - I know a few - but getting one across the pond will cost a few £££'s
We have them here too...:rofl::rofl:Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
mk1 woodQuote:
Originally Posted by Sunray
Nice looking stuff, wonder if the easiest way for him to get it is if it were purchased by a friend and sent as a "Gift"? I've heard of that before around here...it does work...
Thats the only set I have found and its L50 / $55 USD air cargo shipping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying10uk
It bumps the stripped wood up to around $200 USD delivered.
Its about my only option right now and I still have to source all the stock hardware.............
It might be cheaper to buy a MKI parts set that pops up and part is and keep the parts I need.
---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
Stripped wood goes thru customs without issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Its the shipping that hurts and buying sigh unseen with no user or forum member feedback on quality and fit.
Buying more than one of an item can sometimes make the shipping charge more palatable.
On this occasion we don't currently know how good the quality of the stock set is.
Mission creep....., er, creeping in! We have already ascertained that the Mk1 butts are available quite readily in various other parts of the world It's just whether the person wants to pay for postage.
The point that I was trying to make was that if 2 (or more) were purchased, it may not necessarily mean twice the postage.
There was a very nice MkI Bren kit for sale on Gunbroker that had a excellent MkI butt stock It sold for $1200.00 .
Watching a MKI parts set listed now for a grand......
Just spoke to a man that knows. Brand new butt, either dark or pale £80. Or you can have two used but easily and readily restoreable for £50. Other woodwork......... how many tons do you need he asked me
That would be a deal and then sell the other...to recoup costs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Peter how can I make contact to purchase a new light colored MKIQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
butt stock ? Are these new made or new old stock ? Are they fully finished for the metal hard ware , walnut . and what is the shipping to U.S. 04429 ?
The MK1 butt is actually smaller than the MK2 butt which does make me wonder if anyone has ever tried converting a MK2 butt into a MK1 butt? It may be a time consuming and difficult job but I do wonder if it is possible.
The MK1 butt seen in the pics is from a UK deactivated MK1 Bren and was removed to give it a soaking of linseed oil and will presently be returned to the deact. The MK2 butt is just a spare which was purchased from a member of this forum who did some of the repairs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
I prefer the real stuff.
If the brand new wood is NOS original I would gladly take one , or two.
If the new stuff is new manufacture I would take two used originals for L50 please.............................if possible.
Buying two helps average out the shipping cost.
I will speak to the man again later today.
When the Mk1 butt is fitted up with its buffered butt plate it is the same length as the Mk2 butt according to the EMER. BUT......., there's always a but if you'll excuse the pun. The Mk2 butt plate over-hang makes the Mk2 butt slightly longer. There were a couple of series workshop modifications that swiftly got rid of this troublesome Mk2 butt type overhang. It was a real PITA for Armourers in Germany where the Mk2 gun formed the backbone of BAOR.
Anyone want to know what they were
The guys here that have them will want to look and see if you guys did the mods...Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Don't forget that you'll need an ATF Form 6 import permit to legally import any gun parts to the USA that are over $100 wholesale value.
I knew you'd have a handle on that...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
Do the two for £50 come to under that I'm bound to ask?
Apparently 50 GBP equals $62.47 USD at this point so...no.
If they exist a pic is worth a thousand words.
---------- Post added at 07:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------
Under $100 USD is good to go.
They exist. My word is my bond. But I ain't drivin' 50 miles for photos!
Pretty bummed out.
I decided to pull the trigger on ordering a set of wood from D&B only to hit a road block since they do not want to use paypal for an international order. Bank wire transfer only and my bank wants $55 for a international wire transfer.
Contacted D&B and asked if they would accept paypal gift / friends & family or a USPS or Western Union money order as payment.
I know the wood is out there , just have to get a sent here,lol.
If anyone does business with them and can get a set , I will buy it from you!
Found an app to transfer funds (Transferwise) that is cheap and easy and just ordered some new MKI wood.
Woohoo!
Finally...let us see when it arrives.
What is their contact information , Please.Quote:
Originally Posted by cal50
I found it Thanks .Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------
Did they send pictures of the used wood ?Quote:
Originally Posted by cal50
Will do for sure!Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Received my new MKI Bren wood from across the pond and I am VERY pleased.
With the limited stock hardware I have on hand it fits prefect.
Wood is walnut and looks to be manufactured to correct specs. All the cuts are clean and sharp. Everything lines up and is on center.
The walnut has a nice grain and will look awesome after some oil is applied to it.
I am really looking forward to my double dovetail MKI build now that I have a major missing part to build with in hand now.
LH View
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../zWqZkbm-1.jpg
RH View
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../QgWGAjR-1.jpg
Butt~
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../YO0dSOt-1.jpg
Very nice, and beautiful walnut too. Show us the gun once you've installed and oiled.
That's going to take a tad longer...........Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
WOW that wood is so nice . What did you end up paying for it and the transfer fee to England ?
A little over $200 US dollars for the complete set.Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63
My bank wanted $55 for an international wire transfer.
I used a free app TransferWise and the fee was around $2
Ok, was not really looking while at the Knob Creek gun show, Ky on Thursday, Oct 2019, but saw three very nice Bren mk1 Humpback buttstocks. One was a Great setup also on a Great mk1 tripod that had the leg poles. Super setup. At the BRP table, C9. My friend (C10) bought a Bren mk1 parts kit with a Humpback buttstock. The buttstock was very nice. He told me where there was another Bren parts kit, I (also C10) went looked, another mk1 humpback stock, nice even. Well that parts kit went home with me. The mk1 barrel was missing the sight, no extractor, mk2 slide, But the receiver looks like I can rebuild it. Not quite like a IO cut but far better than a MGS cut receiver. Yes, Brian (BRP) is starting to run low on the barrel full of receivers that he had. There was a pic of a 55 gal barrel full of just Bren receivers on his site for a while. Was full years ago.
So yes, there are mk1 humpback buttstocks around in the US, but you have to look a lot. I think that I have three myself. Yes, I looked around before I got the first one.
http://www.knobcreekrange.com/events...hine-gun-shoot
The dates might be off, go back to the website see the updates.
Later 42rocker
There are a few out there but slim pickings.
Anytime I see original parts at a good price I typically drag them home.
Bren bug hit again. Bought another humpback buttstock in a parts kit, while not the greatest kit, it also had the flip up buttstock piece in the kit. Bought it from apex gun parts.
They have another Bren parts kit with a humpback buttstock listed on their site. Or at least at this time they do. 10/15/19.
Later 42rocker
Take look at the price they want for the kit !!!! The only good thing about the kit is the Hump back butt stock .
Did not say the price was nice. Gone are the nice IO kits for $350 to $500.
Got most of the slag off the kit I picked up at the creek. Hope to slide it together before the weekend.
Then got to do a gunshow in Fla, then will think about welding in the semi auto pins.
Have a gunshoot Nov 24th don't know if it will be ready by then or not. Would be nice.
Later 42rocker
I emailed Apex and asked about the wood in their MKI parts set and asked about its condition. Specifically if it could be made to look nice for a double dovetail build.
The reply was "its rough" so I passed on it.
I am glad I did and sourced the new wood from D&B and the other parts from BRP & IMA.
Brian at BRP is good folks. IMA just has a lot of stuff.
Ohio, well sometime drop down to Knob Creek gunshow and check it out.
Later 42rocker
As 'real' apprentices in the 60's during our 2nd year we were regularly given 'beaten, battered or thrashed-to-death' butts pistol grips, fore-ends that we had to restore or refurbish for our regular weekly tests. You'd be surprised at the pure crap that we refurbished to satisfy out apprentice masters. Dovetailed, glues and pegged patches were the norm. I wouldn't let a tatty bit of wood put me off buying it - if the price was right. I showed some Bren examples here some time ago.
And what is the rarity of Mk1 Bren butts...........? There's no shortage here for heavens sake.
It is sad that more surplus is not available.
Some of the wood repairs are beautifully done and its too bad parts cant talk and tell a story.
Wood repairs. There were usually two responses when the AMP (that's the Average Member of the Public). The first was he with a long face who'd mutter ' oh...... look at those patches'. Then there was the knowing, who would say, with a beaming smile '.....woweeeee, just LOOK at those patches'. One of our lovely old instructors during the second year of our apprenticeship used to remind us to treat rifle and machine gun woodwork repairs and patching like you'd treat an old antique table
I would like to order the same set that Cal50 did. But I can not find "D&B" in the UK, except for Dunn & Bradstreet!!?
Can somebody help me out. Thank you kindly.
https://www.dandbmilitaria.com/
This is where I ordered my MK I wood from~
Thank you very much. I have contacted them via e-mail and waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed they might still have a set?
Much appreciated.
No reply as of 9-16, but it is only two days since I sent the inquiry. Just have to be patient...
I think They were sourced from the USA.
Did you get a reply ?
tr63, I did. Not a good reply though, and my apologies for not replying to YOUR reply earlier!!
Reply: "Due to Covid 19, no sets are available at this time".
Ugh. And the UK is now entering another more stringent lockdown once again as of November 2020.
I am just going to have to go there...
Many businesses in the UK are and have been operating as normal, subject to UK Government recommended Covid 19 precautions and restrictions, during the "Covid Crisis" and during the "Covid-19 Lockdowns". Only certain specified types of business have been asked to temporary shut, to the public, during the lockdowns. The UK is still open for business, but subject to Covid-19 precautions and restrictions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmEngRifles
I'm a little late to this thread but I also sent a note to DB several months ago when I tried to buy one and received the same reply.
I got one from them a year or 2 back and am very happy with it, and now need one for my '38 DD build.
The search continues...
I’m 99.9% sure these sets came out of the USA. I just can’t find the site, they also made parts for other guns. Someone must have been on their site.
No definatly the UK , Form Rifle Stocks.
https://formriflestocks.co.uk/militaria-s5/
They only used to sell to the trade but then appointed one dealer to sell through.
They may have changed their policy in the last few years since I had contact ?
ATB KG
Thanks Kev G. Have not visited for a while.
Straight to the point. Thank you for posting that link. I have written and made inquiry as to whether they had sets available and are they for sale?
Time will tell.
Hoping to head to the UK in the Spring (only season I have not seen there), so may be able to pick up a set while visiting. Will mainly be in the Yorkshire area. Maybe a quick trip down to London? If Form doesn't come thru, might have to find a few sources to see who might steer me in the right direction?
Pending no war in the US? If that happens, don't think I will be able to leave.
Like I said they wont normally sell to the public on these but worth a shot.
I would have thought you would have had more luck in the US with a stock manufacturer ?
If you can find some one who is willing to do them I can forward the factory drawing FOC ?
Moderator Edit: Please don't post advertisements to sell items in our general informational forums, in violation of our terms of service agreement.
You should be using our WTS/WTT/WTB Forums.
You can learn how to use it here..
How do I use the classifieds system to buy and sell items?
Thanks... :cheers:
Regards,
Doug
Is it an original stock or a reproduction?
With the repairs it looks original and beech wood .
Sorry my bad. I moved the posting
Yes that's what I thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by tr63