Difference Between a Mk1 and Mk2 Transit Chest

[peregrinvs]

Hi,

Having seen how resplendent my Enfield MkI Bren looks in its transit chest (thanks Tankhunter!) plus accessories, I now have a hankering for a Mk2 chest for my Monotype MkII Bren.

I believe the Mk2 chest has a bit cut out at the back to accomodate the bulge at the top of the Mk2 buttplate, but I've never seen one in the flesh. Could anyone post a picture of what this looks like?

Thanks,

Mark

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

You won't actually see the difference as it is a slight 'ramp' that allows the butt strap part of the butt to slide down into the box. It compresses the buffer slightly as it does. As you can imagine now, as the 'ramp' is under the horsehair padding, you'll be able to feel it. I think they were all made with the ramp after someone found it was needed.

[Kev G]

Not disputing Peters comments on the cut out to take the early MK2 butt plate with the shoulder rest it's just I haven't got a drawing for it.

DDE 2998 (2 sheets),CHEST BREN MKII to guide conversion of CHEST BREN MKI* shows that replacement internal gun rest pieces were used to centre the gun and to move some forward.Rather than the end timber being relieved for the butt plate it shows that a counter bored hole for the flash hider is drilled in the opposite end.

DDE 3013 (2 sheets) for new made MKII chests also shows the 1.5 inch hole counter bored for the flash hider.

ATB Kevin

[peregrinvs]

Thanks for the input. I've had a peer at my chest and can't see an obvious sign of a 'ramp' hidden under the horsehair pad at the butt end. The chest is Canadian and has had a postwar Australian refurb.

An odd thing about the chest is that I can't close the right-hand clasp with a gun in as the lid won't go down far enough on that side. Any ideas why? The only thing I can see that might be causing it is a pad of thick felt on the end of the piece of wood attached to the lid that holds the butt when it is closed.

Thanks,
Mark

[Brit plumber]

Thats quite a common problem, you will notice alot of the Aussie Lithgow FTR'd guns have damage to the top of the butt from the block on the lid (I think its more noticable because the butts were new). The only way I've found to stop the contact is to close the lid with care.

[Kev G]

If you have a UK MK2 Monotype I would modify as per DDE drawings allready mentioned for conversions from MKI and new made MK2 chests.
The drawings are much too big to display here but can put them on a CD if it will help ?
You will need to make various new internal pieces so the gun is centred in the chest as opposed to being off set to the rear (hinge side) as well as other modifications.
The hole for the flash hider and centred rests can be seen in the partial drawing below.





ATB Kevin

[peregrinvs]

If you have a UK MK2 Monotype I would modify as per DDE drawings allready mentioned for conversions from MKI and new made MK2 chests.
The drawings are much too big to display here but can put them on a CD if it will help?

Thanks, but I don't want to modify it - with my woodworking skills it would probably all end in tears...

However, the pictures are helpful in what to look out for should I bump into a Mk2 chest on my travels.


---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 PM ----------

The only way I've found to stop the contact is to close the lid with care.

Interesting. Could you elaborate on what you mean by 'close the lid with care'?

Cheers,
Mark

[Peter Laidler]

As I understand it, the slightly enlarged hole/recess for the muzzle in the chest was to enable the early chests, designed to accept the narrower stepped Mk1 barrel flash eliminator to now accept the Mk1* and Mk2 barrels with the wider flash eliminator

I saw plenty of shorter Mk3 guns fitted into chests where a wooden insert had been used to take up the slack

[Peter Laidler]

Can you imagine saying to your average Infantry soldier '.......close the lid with care.....' You might as well be talking in Swahili.

[tankhunter]

Can you imagine saying to your average Infantry soldier '.......close the lid with care.....' You might as well be talking in Swahili.

Agreed Peter, 'Close the lid with care' would mean = 'Ensure the lid is correctly Shut, If it wont shut. Use ANY amount of force to ensure it IS closed'. (What do you mean It's broken the hinges!!......)