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

[grant580]

I have recently aquired an deactivated Inglis 1942 MK 1m Bren Gun that has the numbers 3/1 stamped after the MK 1m designation. I have searched the net, and this sight for information trying to figure out what the 3/1 means. It also came with a transit box that appears to be British, and has "Bombay" stamped on it. Does anyone out there know what the 3/1 means, or have any information on this gun? Is it possbily more of a collector's item than other Inglis Brens?
Can't figure out how to attach pictures as I am new to this forum, but will try later as time permits, sorry.

grant580

Information

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[Kev G]

Grant,it's an Indian conversion of a MKI Bren to a 'lightened' spec hence the re-classification to 3/1.



Is your transit chest the small version that will only stow the Bren with the barrel off ?

ATB Kevin

[grant580]

Thanks for that Kevin, the barrel does appear to be shorter than my mk 2 inglis and the box is smaller than normal and can't fit the bren into the box unfortunaltely because the barrel is welded on solid.

grant580

[Peter Laidler]

KG, from the photos, can I assume that during the conversion from 1 to 3/1, that they milled out the recesses in the mag housing too?

I have seen one with the lightened butt slide too. Any info as to whether this was part of the mod process or was this probably qa Mk3 butt slide that was fitted?

Apparently, the Indians found that they were sitting on some 18,000 Mk1 barrels so they shortened these to Mk4 lightweight spec as the spare parts stocks for the future.............. just as we did by declaring the Mk1 barrels obsolete and issuing Mk4 barrels to ALL guns, regardless of Mk type

[Kev G]

Yes Peter regarding the recesses.Also one has had the trigger axis pin bushed.


(Ex Lithgow MKI) 63 dated SAF (Small Arms Factory Kanpur)
(Ex Enfield) 62 dated RFI (Rifle Factory Ishapore)

Can you give some details on yours grant ?

[Kev G]

Grant does your transit chest look like this ?



ATB Kevin

[grant580]

Hi Kev, would have got back to you sooner, but was away at the Calgary, Alberta gun show, had a blast!
Yes, the picture you posted looks exactly like mine, colour and all. Only difference is mine has two sheets of paper on the inside of the lid outlining the proper contents, etc, and a mulitude of stencils on the outside depicting it's origin. I would love to post some pictures, as have some really good ones, how do you guys go about posting your pictures, sorry I am fairly new to posting on this sight?

[Kev G]

Grant,glad to year you had a good time at the Alberta gun show.
To post pics probably the easiest way is to upload them from your comp as attachments.
Go to - Reply to thread
> additional options (underneath the message box)
> attach files (2nd box down) > manage attachments.
> click manage attachments and this will bring up a pop up box.
> click on a browse button and navigate to where your picture is.
> for every picture you want to upload repeat the above.
> when you have all the pictures click the upload button (bottom right)
> make sure the picture you are trying to upload is not to big in file size.

Or you can open a Photobucket or similar online account to host your pictures.

Did your transit chest get to Canada from Bombay via Westley Richards in the UK ?


Kevin

[grant580]

Hi Kev

The stencilling on my bren box is exactly like yours so yes, it did get to Canada from Bombay via Westley Richards. I often say it those boxes could only talk.
Thanks for the info on attaching the pictures, I will work on that this evening as I have some really good ones of the bren and the box I would like to share.

Oddly enough there was only two bren guns for sale at the Calgary Gun Show of 800 tables. One was $1350 and was a mk 1, the other was $950 (kinda ugly shape) and was also a mk 1 and of course both dewats. I offered mine for sale on a friends table with the transit box, but it didn't sell (Darn! guess I will have to keep it?).

[Peter Laidler]

That chest is really incredible KG and others as it would appear to show the Westly Richards connection with the original export of Bren Guns well into the 70's. Does anyone know when they ceased trading?

What does your Canadian dewat/deact spec consist of Grant580 in relation to Brens? Our original dewat spec didn't have the barrels welded in but after a year or so, welding was the norm.