A shot in the dark for our time served armourers

[tombear]

My apologies as this is something of a jump in logic and I am no doubt having myself on that it is related to the Bren but please bear with me.


On Sunday I picked up what I thought was a swage or some sort of mandril to be used sticking out of a anvil. It has a broad arrow stamped in one end and the name Wilks Bros & Co Ltd (famous ironmongers in Sheffield) and on the other end/face 7/1609.




However the rod part is hollow, rather than solid like I'd expect if it was to be battered, with a counter sunk hole near the end as if it was meant to be pinned to a rod on a bench. Now looking at the table they used for working on the BESA 7.92 in the booklet on FTRing the beast there is a pin affair shown, R5269, which isn't described as being used with the BESA so with a leap of faith, or delusion, is it some sort of support for working on the Bren or M1919A4 or some such weighty bit of kit?



Once again Im probably having myself on and its foir undoing wingnuts on a oil rig but I'd be grateful if someone could say what it is for. The carboot stall I got it off has had various armourers tools and small arms brushes.

ATB

Tom

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Phew......... The very last of the old BESA guns were withdrawn in 1966, from the last remaining Churchill tanks. Not your usual gun tabnks but the Armoured Engineer 'funnies' such as thge flails, bridgelayers and the old AVRE's that had these guns fitted.

The bench adaptor you show is a sort of gun cradle to make working on the gun easier in much the same way as we now have a similar cradle for the big .50 Browning and the AGL. But as for the thinggy shown, ain't got a clue. A few measurements might help but I wouldn't hold my breath

[Gil Boyd]

Peter,
Could it be a hot barrel support used outside of the tank turret to support a hot barrel before change. Only reason I mention that is a barrel change on a tank under fire must be like abseiling down the shard to clean a dirty pane of glass with one hand!!
Just a measured guess, as it clearly enters a lug of sorts and stands proud, and is retained by the holes at the base of the tube securely, whilst something is supported by the other end, and hollow to dissipate the heat more quickly.
I know on both the bren and the GPMG when barrels have been glowing, it was OK lifting the barrel off with one hand using the handles respectively for the use of........, but the hot end was always a loose cannon so to speak and uncontrollable, and needed to be laid to cool without picking up crap as it may be in use again fairly quickly. Just a thought!!!!!

[Peter Laidler]

The Browning and the BESA come into the inside, as does the Vickers

[skiprat]

That tool is more likely to be used by a Recovery Mechanic than an Armourer.......
Its used in rope work, splicing and lashing, there is also a wooden one.

An Armourer could use one IF he had misplaced his hammer.

[Peter Laidler]

That sort of tool would be FAR too delicate for a reccy mech Skippy. Have you ever seen one working? Like removing tank track pins..........?

[skiprat]

I think it is used to re form the rope , close the strands and keep it round. More of a forming/shaping tool.
Never seen a rechy much use one, its too small to play cricket with. And track pins can be taken out with their teeth.

[Gil Boyd]

Just a question to clarify, did the BESA come in bound when hot barrel?

[tombear]

Yes folks, I've had it confirmed its a rope workers serving mallet, the hole in the handle is just for a lanyard to go. Bit of disappointment but it was only two quid and I do do the odd bit of rope work, admittedly not on stuff that wide. Thanks gentlemen, I live and learn.

ATB

Tom

[tankhunter]

Put it another way Tom. You couldn't make one for Two quid, could you? So at least you have a nice Ex Military Paperweight!.......