Charging handle interchange ?

[tr63]

Will a Bren MkI charging handle interchange in place of a MkII changing handle on a Bren MkII receiver ?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Yes but the gun body will need modifying to what is called Mk2/1 spec for it to operate successfully.

[tr63]

Peter what will have to be done for the handle to work ?

[Peter Laidler]

First, do you have a parts list or at least, the Skennerton booklet. If not it's impossible to continue because one picture describes a thousand words...........

[tr63]

First, do you have a parts list or at least, the Skennerton booklet. If not it's impossible to continue because one picture describes a thousand words...........

Yes I have Skennerton's .303-in. Bren Light Machine Gun Parts Identification and lists book .

[Joe H]

tr63,

I found this in my files. Maybe what you are looking for Shows some sort of slot mod. on a MK II. Drawing is cut off. Bold dimensions indicate maybe some other work at the other end of slot??

Joe

[tr63]

Thanks Joe . It looks like the rear hole in the receiver is opened up to allow the MkI handle to pass through . Is there any other mods. shown on the forward end of the slot towards the mag. well ? Was the MkI chagring handle considered better than the MkII in operation ? Maybe Peter can jump back in for more information ?

[Joe H]

tr63,

Here is a view of the Mk 2/1 slot. I would think the MK II bodies converted to L4A3 would require this mod. since they use the Mk I charging handle.

Joe

[tr63]

Looks like they removed the hump or raised section on the forward end of the slot in the receiver . I guest that would make the MkII charging handle no longer useable in the MkII receiver .

[Peter Laidler]

Hey....., give me a break chaps............. All things to he who waits a few seconds. Right, let me begin. There's no real need to do anything else to the slot or hole. The cocking handle part is fitted AFTER the slide is fitted into the body.

Look at the book and find the PIN, cocking handle slide. This pin rides up and over a small ridge in the gun body, at the front of the c/handle slot. File or machine this ridge away completely. Now the Mk1 cocking handle assembly will run in the body. BUT, it will not lock forwards when it is folded down. So what you have to do now is see how the front end of the c/h slot in the Mk1 body differs from the front end of it in the Mk2 body. You;ll see a small raised portion. It is THIS that the c/handle locates and locks down over.

What you have to do now is to replicate something like this little lug and silver solder it to your body. You can make this as complicated or as simple as you want. You could dovetail it in or make special rivets or............ but plain old silver solder won't distort anything and it'll last forever. There is no loading on the lug. It is just a medium for the c/h to fold over and retain while the gun is firing.

Finish it off with a hand file to suit and then engrave to /1 spec. It's really as that. Enfield did two batches, each of 20,000 guns in the early 50's and Base workshops probably did as many too.

Not all A3's and 5's were modified to this spec because the Navy BR-parts list showed both types of handle with A/R for 'As Required' alongside both types. When satisfied, send to Brian at BDL for phosphating and painting! Done a few. In fact every Armourer did a few at Base Workshop as a matter of course

If I've forgotten anything just ask. If the Mk1 c/h is tight in the Mk2 body, just ease and free off with a smooth file