The enigmatic Mk4 Bren

[Peter Laidler]

The enigmatic Mk4 Bren

I don’t know if this is really relevant on the Bren forum but most of you know that the enigmatic Mk4 Bren was in fact a lightweight Mk2 gun, modeled on the lightening project that eventually became the Mk3 Bren. India utilized this work too, on their Mk1/3 and other projects. The lightweight project Mk2 guns were all in the T and U prefix series. These pictures show how the heavy old solid Mk2 butts were to be lightened to a ‘sort-of’ Mk3 gun spec. Reports at the time just reiterated what production engineers had known for a long time………… That conversions are really just an expensive means of production – because you’ve already made it once THEN you’ve got to make it again! And at the end of it, you’ve still only got the same quantity. Take this butt as a good example. It’s a production Mk2 butt, but to lighten it, the old holes and recesses have to be patched up as you can see from the round sling loop recess, the front end of the butt socket recess and the holes for the old butt plates. Then of course, it’s got to be re-machined to lighten it!

Repeat that with re-machining to lighten the gun barrel, then the body…….then the butt slide assembly……… See what I mean? It’s really simpler to start again. So in mid 1944, common sense prevailed. Mk1 production ceased and turned over to the new boy and what emerged, very probably the finest light machine gun ever to grace the battlefield, was handed to Soldiers slogging it out in Italy who got the first Mk3 Bren guns. As for the Mk4, Canada expressed an interest but didn’t proceed. India took up the idea with gusto and featured several variations of lightweight Mk1’s and 2’s and components that featured in its post war parts lists

The plugged remains of the Mk2 top strap butt plate screw
Attachment 24091 Attachment 24094

The right side of the converted Mk2 butt showing the sling bracket removed and plugged. The new sling loop is on now on the butt plate of course as per the Mk3 style
Attachment 24093

The Mk3 style butt bracket recessed into the newly modified lightweight butt. But the remains of the Mk2 butt bracket can be seen, patched in and made good.
Attachment 24092

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[Kev G]

Very relevant to my interests
Very interesting MK4 post .......can we have some more please ?

ATB KG