Mk1 bren barrels

[ZGB]

Further to our conversation the other day Peter Laidler. What would be the correct barrel for my 1939crown bren C253 WAFFENAMPT marked bren when it was captured in dunkirk,would it have been an unmodified mk1 barrel or a mk1# barrel with step taper with the larger gas port.However i have been looking through our spare barrels and iam thinking that it would be easier to find the holy grail than an unmodified MK1 barrel.When was the official change over to the larger gas port made?thanks ZGB.

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[Brit plumber]

I hope theres enoughholy grails to go around for us all!

Wheres your WAFFENAMPT marking, mine appears only in one place, on the arch where the mag dust cover covers itin the open position.

[Kev G]

Your buggered I'm afraid



ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

There's a bit more to it than that KG and ZGB. Great question. I'll look at my original publishers notes tomorrow and explain in detail. But I'll start by telling you that in the Army VAOS system, until there is a later part, the original part isn't designated as a Mk1. Wait out..............

[Kev G]

.......yep,same as Cortinas

ATB KG

[ZGB]

The waffenampt mark is located below and centre of the serial number,it appears to be the only one one the reciever.I was lucky because alot of folks had been through the pile and they had all missed the little mark. I Think that the gun having little finnish may have put pepole off. From Kev Gs reply it looks as though either mk1 or mk1* would be correct the notice seems to be dated feb 40.we'll see what peter has to say.

[Brit plumber]

The waffenampt mark is located below and centre of the serial number,it appears to be the only one one the reciever.I was lucky because alot of folks had been through the pile and they had all missed the little mark. I Think that the gun having little finnish may have put pepole off. From Kev Gs reply it looks as though either mk1 or mk1* would be correct the notice seems to be dated feb 40.we'll see what peter has to say.

Intresting, my serial number has been linished off, and anysigns of any other marks with it. The one that is there looks like this.



Peter, how is the Mk1 gas reg marked? I have some with no markings at all. Could these be Mk1s or more probably Lithgow ones as they are mainly on Mk1 Lithgow barrels.

[ZGB]

Sorry my mistake just suffered brain fade.Mk1 unmodified barrel would be correct for my 1939 bren.Just to much to remember!the barrel it currently has is a 1940 dated step tapermk1* the closest to the dunkirk period i could find so far.Has any body even seen a Mk1 regulator?(sudden involuntarily muscle movment) just thought of the task!

[Peter Laidler]

REGULATOR, gas, assy; Mk1. C1/BE 9496. Consists of plug, retainer, and retaining pin. Obsolescent Feb ’40 together with matching Mk1 barrel. Gas port diameters are No1= .142”, No2= .132” No3= .119”, No4= .104” Only to be used with Mk1 barrel
Mk2. C1/BE unkn. No production variant known although this type is referred to as ‘the Sudan’ pattern, presumably for sand/desert climates.
Mk3. C1/BE 9715. Gas hole diameters: No1-largest = .150” (reamer* #8 or #25 drill), 2nd = .136 (reamer #7 or #29 drill), 3rd = .119” (reamer # 6 or #32 drill) & No4-smallest = .104” (reamer # 1 or #37 drill). Depth of cross cut slots = .394”
Mk4. C1/BE 9349. As above but depth of cross cut slots = .234”. Distinctly stubbier/narrower than Mk3 plug and centre bored out for lightness

Next question

[Peter Laidler]

The saga of the Mk1 to Mk1* Bren barrel is a good question raised by ZGB. However, on reading my notes, it's not as simple as it would at first appear and will take a page or so of A4 to detail fully. This is because the upgrade of the Mk1 to Mk1* and and new production involves other aspects. I don't know whether this will be the place to waste so much space. Maybe Badger could give me some guidance