Bren Vest

[Peter Laidler]

I have to say that I never saw or even heard of something like this in my time, from Cadets at my boarding school in 1960 or so onwards. 2 mags wasn't going to make a difference as BAR says. Everyone in the small rifle sections had 12 distributed among them and at platoon level more! In platoon or section in defence each gun would have its full compliment plus some more carried by the platoon Sgts and Commanders - plus bandoliers. 2 extra...... Nope, me neither!

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[Flying10uk]

I thought that the example which the family friend had in the 1970's, and showed to me, had more than 2 pockets but I'm trying to remember back 40 or more years ago.

I've not seen a used example, only unused ones, and if they proved impractical to use that may explain why only unissued original examples turn up on the collector's market today.

[Brit plumber]

There’s an early type that has extra pockets and the later without (I think, but I’m far from an expert).

[Flying10uk]

I wish that I had photographed the one which the collector friend produced in the 1970's; he did have a habit of turning up rare and unusual items.

The chap concerned owned a Willys Jeep which was styled on General Patton's.

[Flying10uk]

Despite appearances the vest pockets do actually comfortably hold 2 mags each, i.e. 4 mags per vest. I haven't tried forcing in 3 mags but 2 mags fit just fine.

The skeleton assault jerkin

[browningautorifle]

Still isn't something I would see as useful to a Bren team.

[Flying10uk]

Would a Bren team member have a spike bayonet issued without a No4 rifle or Mk5 Sten. perhaps for mine detecting purposes with the entrenching tool handle?

[browningautorifle]

Would a Bren team member have a spike bayonet issued

Maybe Peter remembers... BUT...when I carried the 1919MG, I didn't have one on issue. Normally not issued to guys that don't need one.

[Brit plumber]

I think they were supposed to be for offensive manoeuvres, whether the name ‘Assault Vest’ is another hype like the Jungle Carbine I don’t know but it kind of makes sense for the gunner to have mags to hand rather than rely on the rest of the team if he’s in an offensive direct attack posture.

[Gil Boyd]

So from a Military commonsense standpoint what would the point be to produce these. I must say I have always been surrounded by everything Bren including one of the 2 built as cut through's for the 1938 Exhibition which I sold off two years ago, but never seen these before.