Mark 3 Bren 1959 Enfield - correct bipod

[Pompey_Herman]

Hi, What is the correct bipod for a Mark 3 Bren dated 1959? The one attached currently has non adjustable legs and most of the components are marked JI / RFI - which I think is a Canadian / Indian hybrid. Is this the right bipod, or should it be a British Mark 1 bipod with the adjustable legs? If the bipod should be British, can I swap out the legs or lower components (where can I obtain a new bipod) as the main connection is fixed to the barrel (a deactivated Bren). Thanks for any advice and contacts.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

It most definately should be a Mk1 fully adjustable type.

You don't need to remove the welded-on barrel. If you are careful, you can drive out the taper pin that locks the gas block to the barrel and drive the gas block forward an inch or so with a brass drift until it is loose. Then you can rotate the bipod off the gas cylinder.

But don't bother yourself. You are quite at liberty to remove the barrel (oh yes you are.........), change the bipod and then weld the barrel back as it was. Don't forget that at the same time, your Mk3 gun should have the lightweight short barrel and gas regulator

The gun should have a serial number beginning LB. That indicates 'Light Bren'

[Kev G]

Just to be a smart arse the serial will be a UE 'A' prefix
How about a picture ?
Yes you can still get new MKI bipods if you care to PM me (they aren't cheap though !)

Peter I pressume the transition from LB to A prefix was 54ish ?

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

Oh you are a clever ares KG! But you're right...... The UF/E/B transition was during the late No4 production at Fazakerley in 1955 (unless anyone out there has a UF54A No4....) and all of the 1957 Fazakerley Sterlngs continued on with it as did Sterling with US thenEnfield followed on with L1A1's with BSA

[Pompey_Herman]

Thanks folks, looks like some options! Kev - have sent a PM, hope it reached you. Serial number is indeed UE and A69** series. My little project - well the bottom half - is in kit form and being cleaned up gradually, so will snap some pictures when the old girl has been restored.

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

I can't read.... The serial is A62**.

[Kev G]

BTW Pompey,you are either going to have to just replace the legs or do 'something' with the barrel.
Knocking the gas block forward will not help as the bipod head needs to be rotated before it can be pulled off so as to free it from the 'bayonet' type lugs.Unfortunatly the sling eye on the bipod head fouls the barrel before enough rotation can be achieved.
Hope this helps, ATB KG

Thanks for the confirmation Peter,I have a 53 dated LB s/n and a 55 A s/n but wasn't sure if LB s/n's crept into early 55.

[Brit plumber]

I have the last observed LB number as 1954 LB58136 and the first observed 1955 UE55A209. Last Mk3 I've observed is UE61A6901 and I think that is very, very nearly the last. After this, the remaining new mk3 bodies (500?) were given over to 'New' L4A4 production.

Its purely by chance that in 1959 Enfield didn't make a Mk3 with the same serial number as a New conversion L4A2, as observed they came close. Mk3 UE59A62xx to UE59A6614 and L4A2 UE59A1 to UE59A5113

For those that are interested, all the UE55 dated Mk3 guns have the ED logo and the 1955 date (AFAIK) which isn't required due to the serial No. incorporating this date. The 1961 Mk3 only has a ED logo with no date. Pompey Herman, does your 59 gun have a date on the side? Any chance you can PM me the whole serial?

[Peter Laidler]

I f the barrel is welded solidly to the gun I expect it will foul the sling loop of the bipod. I did one a couple of weeks ago where the barrel articulated a bit on the securing pin so could be levered away sufficient to clear the loop as it was rotated off the gas cylinder.

[Pompey_Herman]

I have the last observed LB number as 1954 LB58136 and the first observed 1955 UE55A209. Last Mk3 I've observed is UE61A6901 and I think that is very, very nearly the last. After this, the remaining new mk3 bodies (500?) were given over to 'New' L4A4 production.

Its purely by chance that in 1959 Enfield didn't make a Mk3 with the same serial number as a New conversion L4A2, as observed they came close. Mk3 UE59A62xx to UE59A6614 and L4A2 UE59A1 to UE59A5113

For those that are interested, all the UE55 dated Mk3 guns have the ED logo and the 1955 date (AFAIK) which isn't required due to the serial No. incorporating this date. The 1961 Mk3 only has a ED logo with no date. Pompey Herman, does your 59 gun have a date on the side? Any chance you can PM me the whole serial?

Hi Brit Plumber, I remembered this thread.... if useful, I caught sight of the 'Irish' Mk3s at War and Peace, and one was dated 1957 on the side, in conjunction with the UE57 serial. I had to chuckle, been looking for a MK3 for ages, finally bought one in January this year (needing a bit of work, which is slowing being done...) and then lots of decent examples hit the market.. Sod's law, but enjoying the little project.