Transit Chest Images - For those interested

[Son]

Ok, guys... I got into the shed and took a few more pics of the Lithgow HT chest. One thing to note- these were not specifically made for anything- they were (as you will see from the markings) a type of "Small Arms" chest. The internal fittings were altered to suit whatever. I don't know if the Bren chest was a "Chest, SA Aust No2 Mk1" or not... the ones I have seen were a little different externally, notably they didn't have the "bumper" along the front like this one (could been an earlier build?) This chest is marked as made by Slazengers in 1945, and has a "part number" as well.
The hinges are totally internal, and it has a canvas panel along the back (not shown) held under the metal straps on the edges of the box and lid.
Note also the catch is different to the rest... I wonder if these were only made by Slazengers?

Attachment 20212Attachment 20213Attachment 20214Attachment 20215

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Nickjc]

Well I spoke with the folks at Sarco again and got a fellow DAVE on the phone....he DOES indicate that these are from BREN chests and NOT No4 T's..........

He also states they have "hundreds" of Bren chests in stock in varying states of condition....... if anyone is interested he says they sell em for 100$ each.....

[fergs]

I notice in all these pics that the slaz boxes have the claw and ratchet type lock on them as opposed to the hockey stick hasp and lock for the british ones. These are the exact same as on mag58 boxes which are produced in england. With these boxes are the sniper rifles supposed to be a matched pair? or is there a marksman variant and a sniper in the one box?? cause if it is ill have to start looking for parts to build a second sniper,just to make the pair!.

[Son]

I notice in all these pics that the slaz boxes have the claw and ratchet type lock on them as opposed to the hockey stick hasp and lock for the british ones. These are the exact same as on mag58 boxes which are produced in england. With these boxes are the sniper rifles supposed to be a matched pair? or is there a marksman variant and a sniper in the one box?? cause if it is ill have to start looking for parts to build a second sniper,just to make the pair!.

Are the Mag58 boxes produced in England? I know the catches are the same, but I'd have to check the boxes...

The HT boxes were just a late model small arms chest- made by Slazengers- you would think specifically for the snipers. It is well known that they were boxed in pairs and sent off to store.

Problem with your plan, fergs- the boxes seem to be rarer than the snipers.

[Peter Laidler]

Show me one of these Pommy MAG58/L7-GPMG boxes! I haven't seen one here...............

[Longshaor]

Hi Rick,

I'm not sure if you got the e-mail I sent you on this. Series I door hinges are similar, however they are straight on one side with an exagerated angle on the other side rather than the symetrical taper shown in your pictures. It's one of those things you don't see until you've got pictures of both of the side by side to compare.

Cheers!

[grant580]

Hi Rick,

I'm not sure if you got the e-mail I sent you on this. Series I door hinges are similar, however they are straight on one side with an exagerated angle on the other side rather than the symetrical taper shown in your pictures. It's one of those things you don't see until you've got pictures of both of the side by side to compare.

Cheers!

So that means the Land Rover hinges are not the same? (Longshaor and I wondered if certain hinges on old Land Rovers (esp. the seat hinges) were the same as the lid hinges on the "T" Sniper rifle transit boxes made in the UK?)

[fergs]

Show me one of these Pommy MAG58/L7-GPMG boxes! I haven't seen one here...............

not a problem may take just a while though as i will be away for a week or so, and wont have access to said boxes till i come back. Will post a few picks for you then.
Regards
Fergs

[Son]

Here's a pic of - bugger it, I'll just put up the posted info that was with it....

SCARCE ENFIELD L7A2 GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUN: 7.62 NATO BELT FED; 24.7" quick change barrel; restricted for blank firing at muzzle; marked MACHINE GUN 7.62MM .7A2, VE 82 A 7053, 1003-13-1032524; black military finish; folding bipod peep sight 200 to 800 & folding tangent 800 to 1800; additional sight mount to lhs of action; chequered hard rubber pistol grip plates & removable wooden stock; no butt plate or extractor port plate o/w vgwo & cond. Including orig wooden transit case, webbing field carrying case & qty of firing pins.

It is quite different to the chests here now... I note this one has the over centre locking mechanism very similar to the Aussie Slaz chest. Peter, can you confirm if these were made in Enland?

[fergs]

It is quite different to the chests here now... I note this one has the over centre locking mechanism very similar to the Aussie Slaz chest. Peter, can you confirm if these were made in Enland?

The ones i have at work are diferent boxes to this one again, still it might mean that the mag58 boxes out here were maybe produced here. The weapon itself sits upright with slots for all three barrells and the but, diferent beastie all together.
Regards
Fergs