Newbie... Bren Gun Finish.

[tankhunter]

Peter will fully concur, when I say I know EXACTLY what He is talking about.

it has always amused Me & I'm SURE Peter & other Brother Armourers. When Enthusiasts & Fellow Collectors. Go on about non matching manufacturer marked parts/Components Etc.
Akin to 'Stamp Collectors' & in the Military Vehcile Collecting Circles. As 'Rivit Counters'.

What a LOAD of Old Boll......Er. Spherical objects that is!!
Now rest assured, If you have a Bren with differing parts stamped with differing manufacturers markings. DONT Fret/Panic!.....

There is absolutely NO need to! Why?....I will tell you EXACTLY why not. Are you sitting comfortably?...Then I will begin. (Appologies to Childrens story Readers worldwide!)

OK, During the war, Parts/Componants were manufactured ALL OVER THE UK. By Large & Small Engineering contractors everywhere. The reason they were dispursed all over th place. Was so that If one factory got hit in a Bombing Raid. Another would be making similar parts, or could switch over. To making parts more urgently required. these parts would be sent centrally to Arsenals & Military Factories such as Enfield Lock Etc.
NO MATTER WHAT COMPONANT WAS MARKED WITH WHATEVER MANUFACTURERS STAMP/ID MARKINGS. They were ALL fitted to ANY of the guns on the production line. Coming through at ANY time during Manufacture. So you will see, it really Does NOT matter to have a gun. With TOTALY Matching manufacturers stamped componants!

This practice was also compounded, by Guns coming through workshops for total strip downs & Overhauls as well. IE: ALL parts were inspected for servicabilty. After degreasing/oiling. Then sand blasted, parkerised or blued where appropriate systems existed. The sprayed with the 'Special' Black Paint. (Today Suncorite is used) & baked in a special Oven for 30 mins till the finish was hard. The everything was Oil Dipped.
And the guns reassembled & Gauged. Final out Inspected, & sent back to the Appropriate units or central Ordanance Stocks.

So as you can see, it REALLY dosent matter about having totally matching Manufacturers marks!...However...there are 'People' out there who are MORE than happy to sell Legal Parts to you. If you want to part with your hard earned cash. To 'Match up' your guns.
So they ARE all matching in ID stamps!.....my attitude is: 'WHY one earth bother? When all that Cash could add up, & go towards ANOTHER Gun!!.....

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