Bren serial numbers.

[42rocker]

Looks like you have a good start on welding up a "sarco" style cut receiver. Good Luck with the build.

Later 42rocker

[SNAFU22]

Hi 42rocker, the barrel nut detent area was the giveaway. It is a Sarco kit, I am happy with what I got, the condition, the extras, and the low cost, but I need to get another barrel, or am I missing something. The one I have does not play well with the key on the housing gas shield, Do I have a MK2 barrel? I saw that some gas cylinders have the gas shield on them to center a barrel with no keyway (MK2?). That won't look right on my housing. I ordered a short barrel with the keyway. Will see how it fits when it shows up. Is the bipod right for a MK 3? ED34 marking? This is just going to be a Frankenshooter but it would be nice if I can make it look correct. So LB19670 is the serial number? If it is I might restamp the housing. Thanks for for the encouragement and I would appreciate any and all information on what I have.

[42rocker]

Good questions that I wish I had good answers to. But you will need to wait till britplumber comes along or someones else. I understand the want to get it back close to what it was at the start. Enjoy the build.

Later 42rocker

[SNAFU22]

Hi 42rocker, 14 degrees today. I finished up work on the mag cover slots. On to the mag well insides. Bolt, bolt carrier, and lower frame all fit. More weld to finish.

[42rocker]

We had a cool day also. Was around 60, had to put on a long sleeve t-shirt when I was working outside. Normally a Sarco style receiver is cut thru the serial number on the top of the back of the receiver. That said the other numbers still could be the serial number. Hope brit plumber pops in and helps out with this one.
Wish I was welding them up like you are. Looking forward to it. Yesterday and today was spent on 1 to 1 scale bathroom work. Still need to spend about 5 or 6 hours to finish everything up. Of course have a Gunshow next weekend to get ready to set up. Have 2 tables to fill.
Enjoy the build.

Later 42rocker

[SNAFU22]

Hi Rocker, 60 sounds cold enough to make the pythons hibernate. I hope you do well and enjoy the show. Anyone, I could use some help identifying the barrel and some parts that I have. I think the barrel is MK2 and the extras I got are the MK3 flash hider, carry handle and gas block. As I said its my first Bren and I am Learning, but slowly. Overall I am impressed by the amount of machining to make a war time production gun. Thinking of the percentage of metal converted to chips vs what was left for the gun when time and raw materials would be in short supply.

[42rocker]

Some where I saw the before weight and the after weight of the receiver. I "believe" I remember 50 lbs before and 14 when done. Remember the floor scrap, millings could be melted and recast again. But YES what an amount of cutting. There was/is a company that was making bm59 receivers to replace the cut up ones that came in the kits.
Received a few Bren Tripod parts from BRP today and after I got home had a few minutes to clean and work with them. Happy to say I almost have everything that I need to get the Tripods to the stage that I want them at. Then after the gunshow, the following weekend I hope to start welding up a Bren receiver. At least that's what I'm planning at this time. Good Luck with your build.

Later 42rocker