bren gun transit case questions

[Peter Laidler]

Someone asked recently about new rope handles for a Bren chest. The handles were never available as parts as such as we'd just use something convenient - like a cut rifle sling. But if it's originality you're after with sisal rope, then any yacht chandler will know someone locally who can splice ropes. They'll also have the correct rotproof rope too.

[grant580]

And anyone - tips for revitalizing Dovetails without taking them apart??? If there are none then I guess I might have to dismantle.....

Hello Newcastle, regarding the loose dovetails, there is a company here in Canada called 'Lee Valley tools' and they sell a product called 'the Chair Doctor'. It is a very low viscosity, water based glue which apparently soaks into the smallest of cracks, swells and then freezes in the swollen state as it cures. I have not used it personally, but anything Lee Valley sells is top-notch and would not hesitate to use anything they sell. You might want to consider trying this before disassembling the chest because that is going to turn into a big job I would suspect without seeing your chest. The reason I say this is because once you have it apart, you will have to re-glue the corners with wood glue and the squeeze out of excess glue will have to be removed and that will ultimately require you to totally refinish the chest which you may not want to do. You may also risk cracking or breaking the pins and tails of the joint. You could first try the Chair Doctor on a scrap piece of wood and see how it works.

The rope handles are as Peter says, a sisel type of rope and I have some specs on that rope that have been measured from an original chest--- the rope is 5/8 in diameter and 22 inches long in total. This handle is woven in the middle where your hand would fit to make it bigger in diameter. I would also suspect the wood used to make these chests is 5/8 inch think, just like the No 15 mk 1 chests, but am not 100% sure as I don't have a chest here.

Lastly, I don't have any hardware for these chests, but I do have a complete set of plans on how to make them. If you are interested, PM me and I can send you a copy. Hope this helps.

RG

[newcastle]

Thank syou grant850 great suggestion. Also I had the papers on eth inside of teh chests translated.
the writing on some lines read -
"Item in question " -written is BREN and teh serial number
"Last time item was semi lubricated" - this is dated march 1938
Last time stripped and fully greased" - this is dated june 22nd 1938.
the next line says : Name of Commanding officer" - some greek name is here.
then
"name of supervisor" - ditto the above.
all of this translted by my firned Kostadis Roussos - so I'm not doubting the authenticity.

[Peter Laidler]

I would doubt his translating skills because the Bren wasn't introduced into service until there were sufficient stockpiles, in August 1938!

[newcastle]

Date is quite categorically june 22nd 1938. maybe the original inhabitant came from the original BRNO manufacturer?

[Peter Laidler]

Mmmmmmmmm, interesting. We have some photos of the original boxes here and I'll see if there are any special identifying features for you to look for (unless ZGB of KG have a ZB box....) But by 1938, we were making our own guns and boxes and had completed the purchases and trials.

Have a look at the ends of the box for year dates and initials stamped in.

[Kev G]

Any chance of a pic of the box ,exteriour and interiour ?

ATB KG

[newcastle]

Will see if I can get one this evening. It' not in a great shapoe I'm afraid. when they were advertised first I was skint so I got stuck with two of the mistreated one at teh very end.

[sinder357]

does anyone have any plans to buld one or one that i can get some off of because i blew all my money on my bren and puting it in a normal case is chalinging at best so i would like to buld one and if anyone can supply me with plans or evan better one i can coppy i would be happy to make more.

[LesterH]

I purchased my second Bren Transit chest. A Gray Royal Navy 7.62mm chest from a chap for £40. A friend of mine restored the lid and repainted it gray. Later I spoke to this dealer again. Who ADMITTED BURNING 50 Bren Transit chests becuase no one wanted them. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

It still bring tears to my eyes! Kind regards, Lester