Bren Gun: Help Needed!

[browningautorifle]

The wood looks terrible. Coarse, dented, scratched, decayed and devoid of finish, except for the carry handle.

You know that wood isn't the worst I've ever seen. As Peter pointed out it'll do. I'd perhaps try to steam it a bit and then oil and stain and it should look good. Certainly not worse than a service piece. I'm sure that sort of thing stood in the racks after annual inspection.

[Meerkoos]

You know that wood isn't the worst I've ever seen. As Peter pointed out it'll do. I'd perhaps try to steam it a bit and then oil and stain and it should look good. Certainly not worse than a service piece. I'm sure that sort of thing stood in the racks after annual inspection.

I do agree. I tend to be pessimistic, sorry. The overall integrity is okay, and it will sure need some refinish work. I already purchased some sanding blocks, paper, and boiled linseed oil. As you said, I can try steaming out some dents to improve it. Thanks!

[browningautorifle]

Don't sand to hard though. Steam, dry, apply the stain and use a scotchbright pad to apply it. That does a wet sand and application at once. I don't apply anything else over that, it's not like it's going out into the tropics again. I use a Watco Danish oil, it stains and oils at once.

[Meerkoos]

Hi all, back again. I have finally started serious work on the Bren. The stock and grip have been very lightly sanded and cleaned with mineral spirits, then boiled linseed oil was brushed on several times after 24h of curing.

All the parts have been thoroughly boiled, derusted with wool, and protected with Renwax, and subsequently oiled. However, a few difficulties came in assembly ;(. Sorry, no pics. A friend borrowed my camera.

How is the carry handle sleeve retained on the barrel? I see a recess cut into the barrel, and holes on the sleeve, but I do not know what keeps it in place.

In the parts kit, I have found two small ball bearings. Where do they go and what are they for? How are they retained?

Thanks in advance for your help!

MEERKOOS

[Peter Laidler]

Now that you have got to the assembly stage, you REALLY do need the little booklet I described in thread 2. Carrying handle sleeve is put onto the barrel from the breech end and secured with a plunger a spring an angled plug and 1 (sometimes 2) securing pins. Ball bearings........ Retain the front and rear mounting pins below the screw. You really need that book.............

[Meerkoos]

Now that you have got to the assembly stage, you REALLY do need the little booklet I described in thread 2. Carrying handle sleeve is put onto the barrel from the breech end and secured with a plunger a spring an angled plug and 1 (sometimes 2) securing pins. Ball bearings........ Retain the front and rear mounting pins below the screw. You really need that book.............

Thanks Peter. I do have the booklet from Ian Skennerton, but there seems to be no mention of the pins you mentioned. I will see what I can do.

[Peter Laidler]

Look Meerkoos........ they ARE mentioned. Page 18 and 19, items 5. One allows the plunger (8) to move up and down while the other locks the spring under the plug (7)

[Meerkoos]

Look Meerkoos........ they ARE mentioned. Page 18 and 19, items 5. One allows the plunger (8) to move up and down while the other locks the spring under the plug (7)

Yes, sorry, I didn't understand how the parts interacted. I figured it out, and it's almost completely done! All I'm left is the butt assembly. I do have another issue though.

I have tried reinstalling the bolt carrier spring-loaded post, but it is impossible. The post looks 2 times longer then the one pictured in Ian's book. Turns out is a Mk2-style post, but I don't think it would work on a Mk1 carrier. Am I correct?

The buttstock spring assembly looks daunting. If I understood correctly, there are 2 recoil springs, a buttstock cap spring and a receiver buffer spring. Is the thicker spring for the receiver or the buttcap? Also, how do I install the receiver buffer spring?

[Flying10uk]

I have tried reinstalling the bolt carrier spring-loaded post, but it is impossible. The post looks 2 times longer then the one pictured in Ian's book. Turns out is a Mk2-style post, but I don't think it would work on a Mk1 carrier. Am I correct?

It would make life much easier for everyone, if you could post some pictures of the problem that you have encountered here in order to give them a better understanding of what you are talking about, please.

[Meerkoos]

It would make life much easier for everyone, if you could post some pictures of the problem that you have encountered here in order to give them a better understanding of what you are talking about, please.

Sorry! No camera available on hand for the moment. But everything turned out fine! The Bren is completely reassembled, and functions beautifully. Will post pictures soon...