NZ contact L2A1

[Peter Laidler]

Are you sure about the straight 30rd magazines only being produced in Canada? I'd be surprised at that as the new ones all seemed to be in the standard Aust Ordnance type NSN's and wrapping. And Oz were already producing zillions of the standard mags...... The reason Australia didn't produce the curved magazine was, as I understand it and told to me while in Oz, was that the RSAF held the IPR on all things Bren INCLUDING those for the UK designed curved 30 round magazine. That's why Oz produced something similar..... but! Simply in order to by-pass the formalities. There was a fair bit of this underhand (but clever.....) dealing when it came to the L4 Bren of course. A good example of how NOT to treat your allies I say! Maybe RSAF should have acted more like Sterling and the F1 magazine saga. I rarely saw an L2 in Malaya with Aust, NZ, Gurkha or Malayan Infantry (although there were a couple with the Aust and NZArtillery somewhere). It all seemed to be Mk3 Brens and L4's. Maybe that was a strategic move - above my pay grade.

[mrclark303]

Are you sure about the straight 30rd magazines only being produced in Canada

Morning Peter,

No, not 100% sure, but I think that's the case, can anyone confirm?

[Peter Laidler]

I indented for an L2 bipod for some obscure reason while I was in NZ and it eventually came in and that was definately Canadian as were some of the new gas block parts that came in at the same time.

[browningautorifle]

, the unique gas blocks, straight magazines and bipods were made by Canadian Arsenals and shipped to Lithgow.

That makes more sense then...

[Peter Laidler]

Someone remind me but........ Am I correct in that I seem to recall that our L2's had screw-on replacement foresight protector ears? At unit and Field level we used to replace the (common.....) broken L1 protector ears with square section spring washers welded on as a temporary fix. Same as No5's. Same old story.... and bayonet crosspieces. They bend or get damaged sliding about in the back of the vehicles so someone with the pliers tries to straighten it out and SNAP!

[mrclark303]

Someone remind me but........ Am I correct in that I seem to recall that our L2's had screw-on replacement foresight protector ears?

That's it Peter, what a good idea that seems too. I think the later C1A1 production used the same system.

[Woodsy]

Very nice indeed, were you allowed to let her "sing" or did she have to stay semi or not be fired?

NZ law allows licensed collectors to own live MG's but not shoot them (except for blanks at an organised 'theatrical event'). As a licensed gunsmith I am permitted to fire MG's with ball ammo for 'test & evaluation' to ensure they are safe and 'fit for purpose' as required by NZ consumer protection legislation. I addition, I also do pre-deployment weapons training courses for the NZ Army, covering foreign and other 'non-issue' MG's.

Frankly, I do not think much of the L2A1 as a light machine gun. The body is not sufficiently robust to withstand full-auto fire without developing problems. After their initial issue to the NZ Infantry in Vietnam they were soon relegated to second line units as defensive weapons (eg. Artillery). The L4 Bren was much preferred, although the M60 was issued to NZ Forces in Vietnam only (the M60 was never adopted by NZ except as door guns for the RNZAF). The Vietnam issue was only to retain compatability with Aussie and US troops.

[browningautorifle]

screw-on replacement foresight protector ears

I think the later C1A1 production used the same system.

For us at least, these were the 8L series that had those screw mounted sight protectors. Also an earlier one could be converted after one protector was broken off...

[Peter Laidler]

Don't ask me how I remember some of this irrelevant stuff - like the easy fix replacent gas block ears.........

[Woodsy]

Morning Peter,

No, not 100% sure, but I think that's the case, can anyone confirm?

According to Skennerton ('SLR, Australia's FN FAL') the Canadians only supplied the rear sights and gas blocks, everything else was Aussie manufacture. Lithgow made 9,557 L2A1's and 30 rd magazines were issued in converted Bren mag boxes at the rate of 10 per gun (plus replacements as required) so it makes sense to tool up to make such a large number of magazines.