I felt sorry for the item.

[A. F Medic]

I just purchased a metal box that was full of magazines and creosote. I was not sure what they were but know I know. They are used Bren Gun magazines in their a original container!

I have not cleaned any yet but are there certain markings to look for? I know this is not a treasure chest but anybody have a ball park idea of the worth? Everything together is quite heavy. But not as heavy a metal box full of .303 ammo with bandoleers

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.

[gravityfan]

Surprisingly, these are not of great value. Don't know where you are located, but Numrich offers a case with 12 magazines for $51.45. That's less than five bucks a magazine, ignoring the case.

Magazine Case w/ 12 Magazines


I have one, and after cleaning and degreasing, it is in really presentable condition, with 12 excellent condition mags. A bargain to my mind!

Cheers.

[A. F Medic]

I am in NW Pa. I am amazed that they are so cheap. The postage probably would be more then value of the items. Maybe, I will give them out as Christmas gifts!!

[Peter Laidler]

Someone ought to write up a short lesson on the magazine variables that have been touched on on this Bren forum because some of the earliest are quite rare. But briefly, on boxes, there were 2 types. The early type without any sort of seal around the opening edges and the Mk2 type with a horsehair felt seal. There are a few different types of carrying handle too.................

[A. F Medic]

I guess I will have to get out the gloves and see what I got.

One of the mags has M/78 on it The box is unmarked (so far) except there is a MC on the front. Box has a canvas carrying handle on one end.

The box does have felt (horsehair?) on the lip and center of the box. I will be glad to submit images if so desired.

[Peter Laidler]

There is usually a strip of horsehair matting along the cemtre of the lid to stop the magazines from rattling about. The front of the box should have 'BOX MAGAZINE .303" BREN MG Mk1 or 1/1. Just a bit of a brain fart, the later box was not a Mk2 but a Mk1/1.

On the magazine front, the thing to look for is the absence of an inner auxiliary spring. The magazine variables are extensive though!

The magazine boxes are quite useful. Every Armourers shop had a few for bits and pieces and one, set aside as a 'range box'

[A. F Medic]

How do I look for an "absence of an inner auxillary spring" when it is not there? I'm sorry. Bad sense of humor, I guess.

I will take a look as early as tomorrow. Plan to shoot at some pasture poodles (woodchucks) with my A1A in 7.62 x39. I got it before I read your excellent article on it.
Does not shoot too bad but I have not really tried. I put a 4x on it it help my aging eyes.

Got it at Gander Mt. for $700.00 Story is that only 52 were imported into the US by GM. Put one of A1As sniper piece on the stock and my eye comes right up now.
I would not want to carry it into the Pa's deer woods. Too heavy and maybe too bulky. Thanks again. I found out things that I did not know before...

[Kev G]

How do I look for an "absence of an inner auxillary spring" when it is not there? I'm sorry. Bad sense of humor, I guess.

MK3 magazine auxiliary springs will be a bit wider.

ATB Kevin

[Peter Laidler]

I had thought about the absnce of the springs as I was writing it! But the thought of explaining the springs was even more complicated........... Especially when you can't even see them!

[Flying10uk]

I have just obtained an early MK1 type Bren mag tin without the horse hair seal around the edges. I notice that although the lid has a raised rib to stop the mags rattling about inside there is also no horse hair felt attached to this rib and it doesn't look like there ever has been. Did any of these early MK1 tins have felt attached to the centre rib or was it only the later examples with the seals around the edges, please?