I bought a Bren kit

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks for your kind comments Tankie, but I just enjoy using Bren guns

Some bodies were diverted to a 'rectification bay' (sometimes called the hospital) where minor faults could be corrected - if possible. But in UK production, this would be before the guns were serially numbered because we know af a Mk1 intermediate gun (a stage between the original Mk1 and Mk1A) that would be a D or an E serial number prefix that left the factory with a H prefix.

But how this would equate to a 1944 12T gun being dated 1943 (and confirmed by BP too who has extensive records) is likely to remain a mystery.

[peregrinvs]

I agree with BP. A 12T gun should be from earlish 1944. The 1944 series starts from approx 11T 9xxxx to 15T 25xx.

Could yourself or BP give me approx dates of manufacture for the following MkII Inglis serials?

9T8046
12T2448
12T9205
13T7424

Thanks,
Mark

[Kev G]

Could yourself or BP give me approx dates of manufacture for the following MkII Inglis serials?

9T8046
12T2448
12T9205
13T7424

Thanks,
Mark

Try here - Bren serial numbers

[GUTS]

I was looking closer at the pieces and found this mark on the butt stock, is it just an assembly mark? Too bad whoever cut the plastic bag open sliced the stock a couple of times.

[Brit plumber]

S.111 is the contractors mark of F. Tibbenham (S for South UK). They made wood components like Butts, Carry Handles (Defo Mk1, and I assume Mk2) and pistol grips for the Bren and I think they made other components like Lanchester stocks and Enfield Rifle Butts but I can't be sure.

[peregrinvs]

Carry Handles (Defo Mk1, and I assume Mk2)

The Mk2 carry handle on my Monotype MkII is S111 marked, as is the butt. The pistol grip is unmarked. Going by the colour and grain, they're all made from the same type of wood. (North American Walnut?)

[Peter Laidler]

Frederick Tibbenham, known as Tibbies locally.. Also made Mk5 Sten gun butts from imported Canadian blanks and SMLE bayonet grips from the Bren offcuts. I have a long letter from a lady that worked there as an examiner during the war. I reproduce it virtually verbatim in the Bren book. I went to see her as a result. What a memory and pleasure to speak to her.

They also mark their work with FT in a diamond. That was her......................

[Midmichigun]

Yep, I would be firing that thing! I just like the look and reliability of a Bren. Over the weekend, I was looking at my SA BREN parts. Also ran across a few barrels....
Thanks for posting... and egging me on!

[GUTS]

I appologize for the nit-picky questions but you know how we are, wanting to know what every little mark means. I have one more, when I put the guts inside the reciever and assemble the gun, what is supposed to catch the protruding piece on the bolt carrier so the charging handle pulls everything back? My charging handle just slides right past without catching anything.

[Brit plumber]

I dont know if this will help but here you are. The protrusion on the bolt carrier catches on the end of the cocking handle slide. I can only guess that either the protrusion on the bolt carrier is damaged or the end of the slide is. The protrusion on the bolt carrier is part of the Piston post cotter so is a easy fix.