L4 Interarms barrels

[Brian Dick]

Kevin or others, I have the list of military barrel markings for the L4, (thanks Peter), but the Interarms barrel on my recently aquired L4A3 is of commercial manufacture by Interarms. My question is whether it's fully chrome lined or not. I suspect it is but unlike many chrome barrels I've seen on U.S. manufacture weapons, it's not real distinct at the chamber and muzzle. The markings on the barrel are as follows. Thanks in advance for any info. Brian

7.62 INT 4 82.
FB500
A2 158

It also has the serial number of the weapon and typical British proofs applied

Information

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[Brit plumber]

I think the L4A3 was supplied with 2 Non chrome lined Barrels originally and the L4A5 was supplied with 1 fully chrome lined barrel. However, being a refurb, it could have a lined barrel.

My own A3 has the same barrel markings as your own, but I wont have it untill next week to check any other markings.

[Brian Dick]

You're correct. The barrels from Interarms are very late dated, (82), so I'm wondering if they're fully chromed. Let me know your thoughts when you have yours in hand. Thanks.

[Peter Laidler]

According to our records the HMSO history book is slightly wrong in their recording of the facts relating to the L4A3 and 5.
The L4A3 should come with TWO barrels with chromed chambers only (.299 must run)
The L4A5 should come with ONE barrel with a fully chromed chamber and bore (.297 must run)

This error started in the HMSO book about the history of the Bren.
Just ask yourself this. If the L4A2 had TWO barrels then progressed to the L4A4, using ONE fully chrome lined barrel, then why would it be reversed for the L4A3
L4A2 and 3: 2x chrome chamber barrels
L4A4 and 5: 2x fully chromed barrels

The way to tell is run the plug bore gauge through. CHROME bore, the .297 will run. UNchrome, the .299 will run

[Brian Dick]

Perfect! Thank you Peter. I just ran the plug gauges and the barrel is chrome as the .299 won't run and the .297 will. You're a Gentleman and a Scholar!

The lesson learned is that these Interarms L4A3 refurbs are equipped with one fully chromed barrel. Even though it's not MoD correct, that's what I was hoping for as finding a spare over here in the USA will be next to impossible. They're illegal to import and if I were lucky enough to find one, it'll be terribly expensive.

[Peter Laidler]

If/when your import rules are relaxed, I think that we'd be prepared to gift you a second barrel. But on the other hand, if your existing barrel is a chrome lined one, then why not get an engraver to bar-out the 3 and engrave a 5. Effectively upgrading your L4A3 to an A5. Gun is now an A5, one barrel....... everyones happy!

[Kev G]

Just as a matter of interest I have seen L4A2 body markings barred out to read L4A4 when upgraded but have never seen an L4A3 with barred out markings to L4A5.

All the L4A3's I have and have seen are A5 spec with one (MG5526) chrome barrel,wether they are Enfield,Inter or DHH conversions ?

KG

[Brian Dick]

I wouldn't hold my breath on the import regs being relaxed with our current state of affairs in the USA. The FAIR imports trade watch group has decided to take off the gloves though as being nice hasn't exactly worked out. It's always an uphill battle and gets very expensive. I'll hope for the best and appreciate the offer Peter. The gun is a restricted post sample and I can't keep it forever so I'll enjoy it the way it is. Thanks to Kevin and Peter, it's now perfect. Now if my range ever dries out, I'll give it another good workout!

[Peter Laidler]

We regularly used to have Royal Navy L4A3/5's passing through our main workshops especially at 18 Command at Bovington who were the parent workshops for the Navy and Marines at Plymouth. That's how I learned that not all had the folding cocking handle mod. But we used to modify them as and when.

If an A3 came through needing a barrel and there wasn't a part worn .299 barrel on the shelf (No new ones available for ages........) we'd fit a fully chrome .297 and re-mark it to A5.

The story of the Interarm and DHH guns seems to confirm my suspicions that they were a commercial as opposed to a UK MoD venture. The UK MoD UEXXA serial numbers would confirm that it was a licenced product where royalties were paid per gun conversion. This is what happened at Enfield for the first Brens. Those pre-production guns were not serially numbered so weren't counted for royalty payments. Only those from A-1 were subject of Royalty payments. So the unnumbered Bren at Leeds isn't the FIRST, it's just a pre-production. Anoither myth busted!

All/many/most (?) of the INT 7.62mm breech blocks were converted from .303" Brens with a silver steel ring brazed into the breech face and made off. Bring Britplumber with you and we'll look at a few

[Brian Dick]

I just had a look at the bolt and it isn't marked INT nor does it look to be welded and remachined. The only parts I found on this gun that were marked INT were the barrel and rear sight. I replaced the sight with another non INT marked 7.62 so I could repair the bent aperture on the INT marked one it came with. I've since done that and put it away as a spare.