Inglis Mk2 Bren

[Peter Laidler]

Just refurbishing a couple of the most battered, bruised, oil soaked, split, cracked and damaged to the point of no return, ready for fire-wood Inglis Mk2 Bren butts. Not a pretty sight, mind you, nor are the patches I've repaired them with - so far!

They've been degreased in the tricho tank and the little JI diamond has emerged from the oily gloom on the side together with a 10mm or so circle underneath the small of the butt. Inside the circle is what looks like a highly wavy, curly, stylised letter W. Think similar to the interlocked S&W logo. There's a slightly smaller circle to the rear of this stylised W too but that is totally unclear.

Anyone tell me what/who the stylised W indicates? We know it's Inglis of course but what is the W? I have photographed this resurrection from the dead so if anyones interested will put them up later

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.

[Brian Dick]

I just looked at a couple of spares i have as well as the one installed on my Mk.II gun and they don't have that mark present. I'd guess it's a contractor's marking?

[Peter Laidler]

I thought that Brian but it's already got the JI mark. I'm sure it won't be a workshop marking as it's too fancy. And from the sheer state of what I'm fixing I don't think that these butts came from a 3rd world nation or even a civilised nation....... Well, not as we know it! The butts came out of the boiling tricho tank as dry as a vicars ba.............., er........ Anyway they were very dry and definately US black walnut. Made the patching easy though and a couple of previous slip patches just fell out!

[Brian Dick]

Interesting. Possibly a contractor for JI or an inspectors mark from the country of issue, not being UK or Commonwealth of course? Just guessing. Maybe one of our Canadian brothers will weigh in.

[Peter Laidler]

The smaller circle seems to have a figure 2 in it in the same wavy stylised form as the larger W. Still no help from the Canadian Inglis contingent though.

One butt is worst than it first appeared. Just about got them finished ready to linseed and realised that the toe (underside rear) was what you'd politely call 'distressed' or '......needing attention'. So it's back to the bloody wood patching. Exceeded the number of permissable patches but will plod on. Yep.....,they really were past saving

If anyone has an Inglis Mk2 where the 1/2" circle and W mark are still photographable, would appreciate if you'd put the photo up.

[Lee Enfield]

The smaller circle seems to have a figure 2 in it in the same wavy stylised form as the larger W. Still no help from the Canadian Inglis contingent though.

One butt is worst than it first appeared. Just about got them finished ready to linseed and realised that the toe (underside rear) was what you'd politely call 'distressed' or '......needing attention'. So it's back to the bloody wood patching. Exceeded the number of permissable patches but will plod on. Yep.....,they really were past saving

If anyone has an Inglis Mk2 where the 1/2" circle and W mark are still photographable, would appreciate if you'd put the photo up.

From your description, it is the "Canadian War Assets" disposal marking of a combined "CWA". The C is the the outer with the W centered and the cross bar of the A in the center rise of the W.

Commonly found ink stamped on second pattern Inglis High Power holsters, sometimes observed on the receivers of No4MkI* Long Branch rifles which were legally released shortly after the end of the 2nd War.


Initially I thought you might be referring to the cursive "GSP"? type marking cartouche which has been said variously to be a Dutch, Belgian or a French inspection/property marking. I've observed it on several No4 T sniping rifles and some other Commonwealth 2nd War materials.

[Vincent]

I looked too. No joy.

Could it be Chinese?

[browningautorifle]

I don't suppose we could have a look at the marking? I thought maybe CCM but I don't believe that would be possible.

[Peter Laidler]

The markings are so feint now BAR that they'd be meaningless. It's not important as I know they're Inglis but just intrigued to know whay they'd be marked twice. JI on the side and the fancy W(?) in a circle underneath the wrist.

The real xxxxer is that I'm sure that I've seen this mark before. Given a bit of time I expect a Bren lurker will have the same and then we'll start to narrow it down.

The DOWN side to this little butt patching/repair project and asking about this logo is that I'm having a bit of a nightmare that I'm becoming a trainspotting nerd wanting to know all this crap! Especially after the last 50 years it's always been '......fit the next part on the tray..............'

[Vincent]

Don't worry, Peter. A quest for a little knowledge won't make you a nerd.

Now, if you find yourself fancying an anorak......... then it's time to worry.