Bren maker marks

[AlexV]

I'm searching for maker marks on the various parts of the Bren MK I. Of course the upper receiver is well marked. But I can't find any marks on the lower receiver. Is there any? How to find out it's maker? What about other parts?

Thanks!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

best to start with buying the little SAIS booklet (available from BDL Ltd in SC and cheap too.....) that will detail most of the parts makers. I say most as it's not quite complete but pretty close.

As for the Enfield made Mk1 Bren butt slides, that's a little complicated because Reginald Shepherd who was one of the engineer planners who got the Mk1 Bren into production at Enfield retired just beforehand and went to work at BSA. He 'arranged' that BSA would have a big chunk of the manufacture and it is said that BSA made the butt slide and fittings for Enfield. This is the reason why you'll see the cross rifles or B logo on the butt strap, rear grip, woodwork, butt metalwork, pistol grip screws, ejection opening covers etc etc and other butt slide parts. Whether they made butt slides too is open to question - but why not. Whatever the case, as soon as the war came it all (?) reverted back to Enfield.

But that's not absolutely correct either because much was sub contracted out again. But you MUST get that book.

[AlexV]

Not sure if I follow you... I need a new Bren lower for my MK I (which have a MK II lower at the moment). My Bren is made by Enfield and I want a correct Enfield MK I lower and I'm not sure how to spot the maker on a lower.

By lower I mean this (click to enlarge):
Attachment 34495

Which book are you speaking of? I only found repro training manuals on the link you provided.

Thanks!

[Peter Laidler]

---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:18 PM ----------

[/COLOR]Who told you that you had a Mk2 butt slide? I've been an Armourer since 1963 and to be honest, it LOOKS like a Mk1 butt slide to me but I could be wrong.

You definately need that book. Just email Brian and ask him is what I'd suggest you do next

[AlexV]

The photo I've posted is not what I own. I'm not speaking of butt slide either... I'm speaking of the whole lower receiver (everything that is in the photo I've posted).

I own an Enfield MK I but the lower receiver is a MK II. I found some MK I lower receiver for sale but I want to make sure I buy an Enfield one and I'm not sure how to spot them because they seems not to be marked.

Thanks!

PS: See my Bren here:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=22050

[AlexV]

To clarify as much as I can:

Imagine I have exactly this and only this in my hands:
Attachment 34517

How do I spot the maker (Enfield, Inglis, etc.) of this part.

Thanks!

[Peter Laidler]

The problems is that you really need to read up on the marks that you're looking for

You'll have to look at the top front of the butt slide for any marks or inside the rear where the butt fits, known as the butt socket.

You have a simplified Mk1 gun. known as the Mk1A so you need an Enfield made butt slide with the DE mark in either of the places I mention PLUS the area surrounding the change lever and sear axis pin should be the simplified machining and not contoured around the radius of the axis pins. Maybe someone who's camera and computer literate can show a side-by-side photo of the two shaped areas and other subtle differences between the Enfield and Inglis butt slides that will probably be more common in your part of the world

[Brit plumber]

Hi Alex, the real easy way (But not always possible) is to see if the original serial number is still present on the lower (and let us know). Next, look at the top (The bit that would be inside the gun if ftted) at the front above where the forward tripod lock pin is and see if there is a number code there. If there is, its Inglis.

Ignore any that look like this as they will not be the Enfield Mk1m type. The waisted portion shown by the circle on the right is typical machining of early Enfield Mk1s, Daimler/monotype Mk2s, Enfield Mk3s (Plus Indian Mk3) and most of the Lithgows

[Peter Laidler]

Just a minute BP, AlexV had got a late Enfield Mk1A (the term Mk1M is a strictly for a Canadian gun.....) so he needs the sort your photograph shows around the change lever