I am currently doing a little restoration work on a couple of my Brens (MK1 & MK2 U.K. de-acc) and have had the Butt slides in pieces. While doing this I noticed that behind the "Rat's Tail" on the MK1 Bren was a double (inner & outer spring) which fits inside the Butt.


Being an engineer by trade I made a point of examining them in detail and found that the springs were wound in opposite directions to each other as I would have expected to avoid them fouling/clashing on each other. The other application where I have encountered a double spring arrangement is on motor car valve springs when double springs are fitted. I was alerted years ago to always ensure double car valve springs are wound in opposite directions to each other to avoid them fouling by a specialist firm who made a set for me.


Has any-one encountered problems with the double Rat's Tail springs sometimes fitted to the Bren? Is any-one aware of any official instructions to insure that the springs are wound opposite to each other?


I will be interested to hear the thoughts of others on this subject and thanks for any info.
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