Bren serial numbers.

[GaryS68]

Hi,

I'm a little confused with how the serial numbers work for Bren's. I have a list of Bren Gun Serial numbers from Ian Skennerton's .303-in. BREN Identification series. In there it states an Enfield 1937 Enfield BREN should have a range from:

A1 to A999
B1
B2 to B103 (Dp guns)

1938 Enfield BREN should have a range from:

B104 Skn model
B105 to B9999

However I see BREN guns of that date being referenced with numbers such as:

Serial: A3408
Year: 1938
Make: Enfield

Which is the correct serial number for example, of an Enfield dated 1937 or 1938?

[Peter Laidler]

Nobody really knows for sure unless they've actually seen them all. But 1938 started somewhere around A0400 or so and ended around A6700 or so. 1937 would be up to A0400. So your example A3408/1938 would be right

But your querie raises a good point, and it's this. When you write a book, the first person to read it (or the 10,000th in this case) immediately knows more than the author. That's because he now knows ALL that the author has written PLUS the tiny bit he knew before!

We know that those FACTORY made guns designated DP (as opposed to thousands later CONVERTED to DP by List at Dagenham) were a largish batch that were failed/rejected by the Army Inspectorate for reason(s) unknown and only accepted after being downgraded to DP/Training status

[Sarge]

Hmm, for whatever reason I seem not to have listed my Bren.
MkI
D this really looks like an E).
1941
Ser nr is K.6208
It is a dream to shoot. One of my favorites of the several FAs I own.
Sarge

[Peter Laidler]

Yours is one of the what we call Mk1A guns. Not an official designation but a designation attached to production guns AFTER the true Mk1 production and after the 6 intermediate stages of transition from Mk1 to the wartime and subsequent Mk1A

[Peter Laidler]

There you go, GaryS from Carlisle - another transient forumer. Pick your brains, get a response and never heard from again. Not even a thanks as he closed the door....

[GaryS68]

Not even a thanks as he closed the door

Thanks for confirming the 37 & 38 Enfield serial numbers. While I'm always on the look out for interesting articles to read, I doubt I have the capacity be a regular contributor.

[Peter Laidler]

Just a bit of input on your particular Bren would be interesting enough to start a thread run. You - or anyone else for that matter - don't need to be regulars. Just think of what you could glean

[andy602]

Another Serial No - LB53853 Mk3 dated 1954

[kyte5013]

Hi, new to the forum - just picked up a Bren serial no E208 which is a Mk1 1940. Hoping you may be able to help with any history or information - don't know if you already have this listed. Thanks Martin

[Peter Laidler]

Not much info for you. E208 was made for contract E-150/1939 dated 19-9-39 and it is a first stage intermediate Bren. Mathematically it was produced, probably in July/August 1940

Hopefully others here might have more info for you