Bren serial numbers.

[LTC Roy]

I have a Inglis Bren MKII converted to 7.62mm and remarked as an L4a4 dated 1958 with a serial number of 14T583.

[tankhunter]

I have a Inglis Bren MKII converted to 7.62mm and remarked as an L4a4 dated 1958 with a serial number of 14T583.

Might be Fake marking then! L4A4's were made from MKIII Bren's. L4A3' were made from MKII's!.....................

[Brit plumber]

Unfortunately it has to be a fake, as tankhunter has mentioned, a Mk2 conversion would be a L4A3. The serial number should have been barred out and replaced with a UE6xAxxxx serial number and the clincher is the 1958 as the L4A1 wasn't produced until 1959 and the L4A4 began in 1961.

Is it possible to post some photos? It could be a South African 7.62mm conversion.

[tankhunter]

BPs Clarfication is correct. IF it were a SA conversion. They marked their converted LMGs with a small 7.62 on the left of the receiver. Near the Mag opening. They did NOT however, put any written designation. As in a new 'Model' number on their Guns, To My knowledge. I have seen a few, and they converted ANY mark of Bren that was available at the time. To a modern calibre conversion, even MK.I's! But I have NEVER seen a new designation for any of their conversions.

[Peter Laidler]

Did SA reinforce the bullet guides in the body with the round strengthening plate visible on the body sides? We did - or didn't - do the same on the L4A1's and the bullet guides didn't last the course!

[tankhunter]

Did SA reinforce the bullet guides in the body with the round strengthening plate visible on the body sides? We did - or didn't - do the same on the L4A1's and the bullet guides didn't last the course!

No Pete, they didn't go the insert route. Used STRAIGHT 30 round Mags, similar to the Aussie ones. But with Only the FN type Dimple (Same as L4A1) You have to 'Relieve' the undercut at the front, to accept a Brit L4 Later Patt Mag. & then you will encounter 'Breakthrough', as you WILL be aware! & you already KNOW about the pin & shorter spring MOD involved there!..................

I have encountered TWO Flash Hider assemblies on the SA 7.62mm Converted Guns. The 'Usually' seen versions, use a Tubular version with holes in. Similar to the FN Rifle. The type I have (& Much Less often seen) is the 'Fluted' type, SIMILAR, but NOT the same. As 'Our' L4 Series.

I believe (But have not tried) that these are screwed onto the Muzzle. & the Foresight & Bracket complete. Are SEPARATE assemblies & Pinned to the Flash Hider.

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks for that Tankie. As a matter of interest, did you ever see a split L4 flash eliminator - as did the L1A1 rifle types? Nope, I didn't but I was told that it was becoming a problem. Mind you, they did get red hot, especially when I was running the ranges and nobody wanted to upset the ammo storeman by taking any live back!

To be honest, I can't ever imagine them 'pinging' like the rifle ones as I'm sure that being a slide-on fit held with a taper pin, the pin would give first

[tankhunter]

Peter, No, I have never encountered a split L4 F/E. But I HAVE, & changed a Few GPMG L7A2 F/E's!

You WILL be aware that the L1A1 Rifle F/E's were improved with the introduction of the 'Three Pronged' Variants.
The frequent failure of the Multi-Fluted types necessitated the introduction of these to prevent 'Pinging'!

I never saw a three Pronged variant split/fail in Service. So they got another thing Right!...........

[CanuckRH]

So I believe my post got lost on the previous page. Just wondering if there's some Bren Serial guru's still kicking around?

Serial number: OT.5158
Date of Manuf: 1942
Manuf: Inglis Canada
Type: Mk I m

Any information on this badboy?

[Brit plumber]

Not much I can tell you really, it probably dates from early Feb 42 but it's very hard to pin it down as production varied by week. There were between 40,000 to 50,000 produced at Inglis in 1942.