Demiled Bren Reciver

[bentwrench]

Here a some quick pictures of my '43 Mk1* Enfield receiver. There is a complete kit with a later MK1 lower and MK2 wood. There was also a very nice MK1 adjustable bipod with Enfield markings on it. Looks to have a earlier style gas piston, bolt and bolt carrier are Enfield. This will be brought back to life as a semi-auto in the next few months. This receiver was cut in good locations for a re-weld. These are getting harder to find around here.

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Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Do they have to be gas flame Oxy torch cut? Would be better (?) if they were water jet or even gas axed by someone who knew how to wield a gas torch decently

[bentwrench]

Am not sure of specifics, but at some point the BATFE (a strange and confusing branch of the US government that regulates guns, beer and cigars) changed the requirements to de-activate a firearm. There used to be all kinds of saw cut kits available that would be so much easier to work with. Parts kits like I pictured above are considered to be "good" compared to many that were cut through the trunnion area, locking block, and the magazine release. Most are more work to rebuild than they are worth.

What's worse now gun barrels can't be imported without being cut, drilled, or plugged. Apparently foreign made gun parts are some how more dangerous than ones made here in the US. ???

It makes me sad to see so many firearms get torched, especially Bren's. From my perspective you just can't appreciate the craftsmanship of these guns until you hold parts in your hands. I hate having to bastardize the poor thing into a semi auto, but its the only way I can rebuild it without having a manufacturer's license and a ton of extra paperwork.

[Joe H]

Peter,

ATF regs have required that the demill cuts are done with a torch displacing 1/4" per cut. The latest demills are cut at the rear, thru the locking shoulder area and thru the barrel socket. Very difficult, but not impossible to rebuild. Older "IO" type demills have the rear cut, a cut thru the mag well and a cut thu barrel nut area. Bentwrench's demill is a variation of the "IO" with the front cut thru the gas tube rather than the barrel nut area. I have never seen a saw cut Bren demill. If they exist they are rare.

Even with the current barrel restrictions, working Bren barrels are not difficult to find here in the States. I recently acqured an exellent Bren Mk II . 303 barrel and had it rebored and rechambered for 8mm Mauser (7.92X57) for a Bren caliber conversion project.

Would love to rebuild to Full Auto but that is not in the cards here in the US.

Joe

[CINDERS]

So a question comes to mind how do the guys from Dusty Creek or Knob Creek shoot get on as I have seen the clips, twin MG-42's, Browning 50's & 30's, Vickers 303, Mini guns, 20mm, 37 anti tank gun, 25 pounder and not to be out done a troop rocks up with an M- 10 TD and lets loose with it and the muzzle blast causing all sorts of mayhem on the line.

In another clip on the tube there is a Vickers firing incendiary rounds like a full 250 rounds every one of them if you cannot have a full auto weapon then where's the restrictions at these venues, especially the night shoot with full tracer, so what is the drill Joe H just curious.

[bentwrench]

Two ways to own an automatic in the US. We have to follow the National Firearms Act (NFA)

1st are what we call fully transferable MG's. These are guns that were added to the NFA registry prior to 1986. Since then no new weapons have been added to the registry. Because of this transferable MG's are in high demand and are very expensive. A transferable Bren gun would start at $20,000 and go up from there, nice examples of early Mk1 Brens on tripods can cross $100,000 at auction (Several were observed doing so this summer). There is a $200 transfer tax that must be paid when transferable guns change hands. This tax also applies to silencers, short barrel rifles, etc. The paper work to do this can take 4 to 6 months to clear. These MG's can also be classified as curio and relics which can eliminate the need for a dealer to dealer transfer.

The second way is what we call demo or dealer samples. A licensed manufacturer can build automatics if they have a demo letter from law enforcement or the military. They are called dealer samples and if the demo gun was built before May of 1986 the gun can be kept by the owner after their manufacturing license has expired but it can only be sold to other dealers and licensed manufacturers. Guns made after may of 1986 must be sold or destroyed if an individual's license expires. These are often called "pre-May" and "post May" dealer samples. These guns are much less expensive than transferable MG's but they cannot be owned by most people.

There is more to it that simple explanation I gave above, and State law trumps federal law with regard MG's. Some states do not allow them at all. Or any other NFA item.

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

Here is a good example of the real cost of transferable machine guns in the US. This collection sold at auction earlier this year. The prices are sobering to say the least....


4/30/2013 - Firearms and Militaria: Richard L. Wray Collection - Live Salesroom Auction - Cowan's Auctions

[Joe H]

Cinders,

I couldn't have explained it any better than bentwrench. Here in the US the Firearms act of 1986 changed everthing for FA. Prior to 1986 you could buy a FA Tommy Gun for $250 plus the $200 tax stamp and you had a Legal FA. Now a legal fully transferable Tommy Gun starts at 20 K and goes up to 40 -50k for a 1921 Colt.

Joe

[Brit plumber]

I assume the centre body section is from another gun, perhaps to close the gaps created by the torch cuts? The serial number on the rear of the body is from a 1942 gun whereas the date shown is 1943, there are occasionally oddities with the production year/serials but I don't think it applies here.

[Peter Laidler]

It looks like it's matched to the 1943 proof-dated front/trunnion block part too.

A W- serial number Mk1 gun is also interesting in a strange cock-up sort of way as they are duplicated with Daimler Mk2's.
Is anyone interested in a short resume of how all this came about? It's what you call a total lack of communication between different departments......., each trying to blame the other. So much so, that the paper trail becomes almost indecipherable!

[bentwrench]

The lack of finish on the center receiver section makes me think it is a mixed kit. It could be that all 4 parts are from different receivers and were pieced together to make a buildable kit. If the rear serial number is from a '42 dated gun then I doubt just the center section is an imposter.

I guess it will be a FrakenBren when its done.