Inglis 1942 MK 1m 3/1 BREN GUN AND CHEST

[Kev G]

Hi Peter,WR are still trading - Birmingham Bespoke Gunmakers and Country Clothing Showroom .
I contacted them a few years ago regarding 'military firearms' and particularly Brens...... they were kind enough to reply that they only kept records of their 'finest sporting guns'

The thing I find most interesting is how the transit chests have given such good service.The packing note gives details for the Vickers Berthier,Bren 303,Indian7.62mm - 1A,1B and the L4A3 !



I'm afraid the chest isn't mine Grant it belongs to Mark F in Ontario.Most of these transit chests I have got pictures of seem to be in Canada.Some came with 3 barrels,MK2,Indian MK4 and a lightweight MKI.
Look forward to your pictures.

atb Kevin

[Peter Laidler]

Of the short Ben chests KG, I've never seen them in UK service. Could they be a locally maufactured Indian chest? Or is it a chest from another weapon adapted to the shortie Mk1/3 Brens? Any makers markings? Dates? Are they particular to India?

[grant580]

Hi Peter

I just found a copy of the specs for Canadian dewats dated April 24/07, A shortened version is as follows.,

In order for the firearm to be considered deactivated by the Canada Firearms Centre, the firearm must first be confirmed by a gunsmith, to no longer be considered a firearm as per the definition of "firearm"

1- A hardened steel blind pin of bore diameter or larger must be force fit through the barrel at the chamber , and where practical, simultaneously through the frame or receiver to permanently prevent chambering of ammunition. This pin is to be welded in place so that the exposed end of the pin is completley covered by weld.
2- The barrel must be permanently welded to the frame to prevent replacement
3- The breech face or portion of the breech bolt which supports the cartridge must be removed or drilled out so the bolt can no longer support the cartridge.
4- The receiver must be completley and permanently welded closed to prevent replacement of the breech bolt.
5- In the case of firearms designed to support full-automatic fire, the trigger mechanism part or component which is necessary for full auto fire must be destroyed by cutting or grinding and permanently welded in place to prevent replacement.

Further to that I think now one has to permanently weld the magazines in the mag well. This was due to some gang members somewhere in Canada that where buying dewats, or aquired some from somewhere and re-activating them.

The bad part about the deactivation and consequent welding of my bren, is now I can't store it in the case.

[grant580]

Finally figured out how to attach some pictures of my Bren mk 3/1

[Kev G]

Excellent many thanks for the pics.

ATB Kevin

[Peter Laidler]

Do you want me to get the Indian Army stencils deciphered by our Indian Army Liaison Officer? I expect the ASSD is Army Stores Sub Depot because our equivalent is a RSSD - as in Returned Stores Sub Depot.

[grant580]

Now that would be interesting if you could Peter, thanks for that and will watch for your post.
I think I mentioned I am reproducing no 4 mk 1 T sniper boxes somewhere in a previous thread and noticed the inside of these bren boxes are painted with what would appear to be the same paint/colour as the original sniper boxes. Do you know what that paint is Peter? I would like to get some made up and start staining the inside of my sniper boxes with this colour. Hope you can help with that one.

grant580

[Peter Laidler]

Don't know what colour it is but the paint was called 'scamic'. I'd just mix it up for a colour match. I'll see if I can get the stencil marks deciphered soon.....

[grant580]

Well, I went and got some "scamic" mixed up and tried it on the interior parts of some sniper boxes I am building prior to assembly. What do you think?

[grant580]

Today I goggled "scamic" and it turns out that scamic is green in colour and it's proper nomenclature is "#060 Green shade 314 Indian Army green" So obviously scamic is a colour tone, not a paint type