The Mk1 and Mk1* Bren Barrel (by Peter Laidler)

[Badger]

With thanks to Advisory Panel member Peter Laidler, a new article has been added to the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here).

The Mk1 and Mk1* Bren Barrel (by Peter Laidler) (click here)

Peter Laidler has accessed the whole Bren archive and pictorial library plus their magnificent collection of fully serviceable and operational Bren Guns at the Small Arms School and as a result, has written the whole 'warts an' all story of the the Bren from the first note from Major Oxley, the Military Attache in Prague (where it was undergoing trials with the Hungarian Army) to the last guns being withdrawn from front line service in February 2002. Astonishingly, a further 6 guns were found, oiled up and still in working order in a secure store 2 years ago.

The whole 260,000 word story plus never before seen archive photographs, flow charts and line drawings are in the process of being published by Small Arms Review as we speak.

Peter tells the story of the Mk1 barrels...............

Article Extract .....

Shown in the photos that accompany this article are a couple of things that you don’t see very often. It’s a Mk1* Bren gun barrel with the ‘stainless’ steel flash eliminator sleeve removed. And like me, many of you are probably wondering and ask yourselves just WHY do you put a glaring stainless steel flash eliminator on the front of a black Bren gun? Well I’m going to let you into a little secret. Not just ONE little secret, but during the course of this note, quite a FEW little secrets.

The Mk1 barrel with the flash eliminator sleeve removed and positioned alongside the barrel.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

As with reading any kind of article, whether it be traditional paper magazine based, or in this case an electronic format, it's sometime difficult to gauge the reader's interest level. Peter has requested that if anyone has any questions on his current series of articles, comments or additions for inclusion in his articles under the "Collectors Comments and Feedback" section of the MKL article, or ideas for future topics, that they please leave feedback for him in the appropriate announcement thread.

Regards,
Badger

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.

[Mk VII]

men of the 3rd Carabiniers taking part in manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain in 1935 with an even earlier type of barrel

[Mk VII]

men of the Royal Scots Greys crating up Brens for a move to Palestine in September 1938

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, yes Mk7. The 'earlier' barrel is in fact not a Bren but a ZB30 on trial. There are several identifying features but the principal one is the angled sight aperture of the backsight. All Brens had an UPRIGHT aperture that was in line with the rear of the body.

As for the barrel..., yes. See the straight taper flash eliminator and the gas vent holes. These holes were deliberately designed to allow the carbon fuelled gas (not strictly correct...) to vent. But Enfield knew better and produced the deep, stepped taper flash eliminator. See the next photo. This caused rings/ridges of carbon and ........ anyway!

The lower photo was taken at Burtphore Barracks in Tidworth according to the rear of the photo in our small library