Bren Front Grips

[peregrinvs]

As suggested by Peter, I've reopened this topic in the Bren section.

So; what is known about them? Are there are any known period examples out there? How accurate are the various flavours of reproduction available? etc. etc.

I've just bought one like this:

BREN GUN FRONT GRIP 0.00 : DBG Militaria, Online Shop

It seems to be a mixture of a new bracket, an original Mk2 grip bolt and a Mk1 grip modified to Mk2 spec.

Thanks,
Mark

Information

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[tankhunter]

Check & see if it has any marking like: MP stamped somewhere on it. If it does, I can tell you EXACTLY who made it!

[peregrinvs]

It does. Mike Priest I presume?

Am I right in thinking he also made the top notch repro Bren butt handles that use original Mk1 grips and grip plates? I have one on my 1940 DD MkI.

[tankhunter]

It does. Mike Priest I presume?

Am I right in thinking he also made the top notch repro Bren butt handles that use original Mk1 grips and grip plates? I have one on my 1940 DD MkI.

You are absoulutely 100% correct Buddy!

[Peter Laidler]

I have a copy of the old and very fragile mimeographed/gestetner type copy of this FARELF mod2 copy of this local instruction borrowed from someone prior to a move. It won't copy into anything readable but the assembly instruction has a scale drawing. So I'll scale the grip up and make an exact(?) copy for you to see when I get a half a chance. But it bears absolutely no resemblance to those things you see advertised for sale, believe me!

Incidentally, what I have previously referred to a FEMOD 1 or 2 or whatever was wrong and the correct terminology was FARELF mod for Far East Land Forces. FARELF mod 1 relating to the Bren was to drill a small hole at the lowermost top and bottom point of the Mk1 butt plates in order to allow water and other moisture to drain away and prevent rotting of the already fragile butt. Anyway....... From the fitting instructions and guns we used to see, the way to identify a gun fitted with the front grip - or had had one fitted is the existence of a 5/16" bolt hole and a smaller locating peg hole in the butt slide trough to the rear of the front mounting pin hole. Or one that's had the holes welded up.

We did have one at Warminster based on several old distant memories and while it was OK, it wasn't quite as good as the real McCoy

Now where is that bit of wood and my rasp.........