Toronto Archives photo search on John Inglis Plant/bren guns

[mrclark]

I posted this on CGN and thought some of you who dont frequent the site would enjoy these. The picture quality is quite good compared to what I had found in the past on the federal website.

Lots of pics I know I have never seen of Inglis and the toys produced there.

Hope you enjoy them. For those doing research heres the search link (i think)

https://gencat4.eloquent-systems.com...entref=toronto


Enjoy.

















very cool









millionth bren mag ceremony



yes please

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Brit plumber]

Did you see that special tripod? How long are those legs!

[Kev G]

I need that 5 millionth Bren magazine in the presentation box !



Thanks for the pics and link (now saved) Clark

ATB Kevin

[browningautorifle]

That tall tripod would be neat, on the range you wouldn't have to get your knees dirty while unloading all those mags they showed.

[tankhunter]

I would imagine from my Own Expierence in Defence Manufacturing. That the Tripod in question would have been almost certainly modified in the factory itself for the purpose of test firing of Brens from a purely conviniece point. And also, that the firing port on the indoor range was so high, it nessesitated the extention the the mount legs to enable the weapons to fire through it.
This would have been a simple mod to execute, by simply cutting the feet & the 'Clutch Heads' on the legs off. And rewelding onto tubes of suitable diameter & length desired, the feet & 'Clutch Heads' as required.
A LOT of one off's were done like this is various manufacturing plants to enable certain repetitive tasks to be done & expidite them as quickly as possible. Wartime manufacturing, as you can imagine was not about total
quality, but Quantitiy!
NOTE the Rifle slings attached to the Bren tripod, which was the CORRECT carrying method when being 'Manpacked' by manpower alone. I have in my own collection & im absolutey CERTAIN a lot of Fellow forum Member have also. A 'Purpose made' tan canvas tripod carrying harness for these tripods. They are very common here in the UK. This is to my mind, a strange affair, as In mY opinion. The web material is a tad on the Thin side for such a heavy mount. In service my view is that they would not survive for very long through wear & tear, & would quickly cut through the material after a short time in usage. I wonder if this was for Foriegn contract? Perhaps NZ or India? I dont know for sure, but all seem to originate from a factory in Stockport 'Up North'. Also, all seem to be in unissued condition, indicating that they were never used! The rifle sling method was fine, thick durable items that would easily survive in usage. So to that end, WHY were these thin harnesses ever made? And that they were, why was the material so flimsy to self evidently not be able to get through the Ravages od Military Service!............Anybody got any definitive Info? I would be very interested to know the Answer! Mike.

[Brit plumber]

I'm pretty sure these x straps arn't for the Bren tripod, but for carrying ammunition boxs. I don't think anyone has ever found evidence of one fitted to a Tripod, I certianly havn't.

[tankhunter]

Hi BP. So I was correct then, in my assumption that they were too flimsy for tripod use. I simply used logic (& Expierience) that with the weight if a tripod, & the load of it bearing upon the sharp corners of the holes for the carrying straps. This would appear to wear through the straps at this point VERY quickly! So to my mind, if Rifle slings were the Norm, WHY on earth would they go on to develop a 'Purpose made' carrying harness?
IE: With the Rifle slings doing an admirable job for which they were issued. 'If it Aint' broke, dont fix it' attitude!
I also have never seen evidence of the 'Harness' being used to carry a Tripod either. So it is nice to know that those more versed in 'Bren Research' are aware of this Ficticious use of this harness!
Thank you, Cheers, Mike

[Kev G]

Blimey you would have to be a contortionist to even contemplate fitting a GP carry harness to a Bren tripod (though some Ebay sellers try to pass them off as such)...... only rifle slings.
Ilustrated on the excellent karkeeweb site - Bulk Load Carriage: Harness

[peregrinvs]

Information on the 'Harness, carrying, infantry, G.S.'

Bulk Load Carriage: Harness

They frequently get mis-sold / misidentified as a 'Bren tripod carrying harness'.

[Peter Laidler]

Tankie is right again about the old No4 rifle slings. They were truly versatile bit of kit. They would support tremendous loads and most people, including me kept one in their kit, usually rolled up in the poncho roll or tucked out of the way. The later nylon ones were strong enough but would slip through the buckles when they got wet. The training wing here have a big bucket of them for use in the FIBUA village where they're used during the street fighting and house clearing as generally useful bits of kit. The little Sterling sling was useful too and for many years I used to use one on an SA80 until 'advised' by those that matter that it set the wrong tone.

I don't know what this has got to do with Brens but there you go............