Bren at War

[henry r]

the other (to me) iconic bren pic
(well discounting the ivor hele "taking old vickers position" painting)



“ A Bren gun team of 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion support an attack on Mount Shiburangu, near Wewak in Papua New Guinea. ”


the grenade launching no1 mk3 is interesting too. what is the shiny bit on the fore end between the magazine and the binding?

edit. totally off topic, but i love the way that in any pic you see of an australian in the field, thier slouch hat has been totally reshaped.

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[desperatedan]

the grenade launching no1 mk3 is interesting too. what is the shiny bit on the fore end between the magazine and the binding?

I'm pretty sure that's the reinforcing bolt in the fore-end.

[tankhunter]

I'm pretty sure that's the reinforcing bolt in the fore-end.

That is correct. The Indians carried on fitting a variant of this. As a Standard fitting to all their .303" Rifles. And also the postwar SMLE in 7.62mm.
They used a woodscrew, as the head could be screwed down flush with the side of the forend. Making for a smoother & more comfortable grip.

The purpose of these componants, was to prevent splitting of the forend during recoil. Particularly violent when firing ballastite cartridges when discharging Grenades! (NEVER EVER from the shoulder though! It would break your shoulder bone!)..........

[browningautorifle]

an Australian in the field, their slouch hat has been totally reshaped

They call them a bush hat at that point. They all have two, one for garrison and one for field.

the grenade launching no1 mk3

I can't recall seeing one in hand before.