Bren Mk l, Mk ll and Mk 3

[Cectech3140]

Being a dummy on the Bren, what parts of the bren are the same and what changed?
Or, can you use a Mk ll parts in a Mk l reciver or not?
Same as the trigger group, and other parts.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

It would take a week of writing to detail the answer. But in the real world of Armourers shops, for soldiers using them in battle and Armourers fixing them afterwards, all the parts, however different they are in appearance and by manufacturer, were designed to be interchangeable. If not as individual parts, then certainly as assemblies.

[tankhunter]

It has always made Myself, Peter & Other Professional Armourers. Scratch our heads at the Civilian Collecting community's attitude in General. As to should this gun have such & such a part on it?
or, Where can I find an Enfield such & such for my Enfield Gun?

Pretty much the ONLY time a gun was completely marked with ALL of it's component parts from the word go. Was when it left it's birthplace at it's respective Factory. AND,......Even THEN. They were NOT always totally matching marked parts from that particular Factory! As Wartime strains on materials & parts became harder. Parts were made all over the country by Different Plants & small Machine shops. And collated to Ordanance stock to be issued out. Or More USUALLY, Direct to Manufacturing Factories/Arsenal's. For use in the build up of complete Weapons.

Guns that served through the War & into Post War conflicts/ Worldwide Military Service Theatres. Would have in general. At LEAST once, & in a LOT of cases. Been Returned to Military Workshops for overhaul. & Rust Proofing (Parkerising to the Uninistiated) This meant, that they went through Processing. On a conveyor belt like system. Of being stripped down TOTALY. ALL parts, EXCEPT Gauged & fitted where possible. Componants were then inspected for damage, & Were simply tossed in huge metal containers. Where they were degreased & vapour blasted. (Sand & Water together) to give a super smooth exterior finish. Then, most parts (NOT All!) reblued (Or in postwar instance. Sprayed with Suncorite 259. To give the Famous 'Enfield' Finish) & finaly oil dipped in Gun Oil. The major parts, like barrel, Reciever, Butt slide Etc. Were wired together to keep them from getting mixed up. where possible. THEN. they were rebuilt & new componets/Serviceable parts. were utilised to complete the weapon. During this phase, obviously. Guns were gauged & parts replaced that were worn/ incorrectly fitted. Where possible, & where time constraints permitted. they were test fired for function & accuracy. Before being out inspected & returned to Units/ Ordanence Stores Soooooo, the chances of encountering ANY bren/LMG are that. It is Perfectly NORMAL & Perfectly Acceptable. To see a Gun with mixed manufacturers markings.....................

PLEASE....Don't fret about attempting locate this or that part. Because your gun is not quite matching manufacturers markings Etc.
There is absolutely no need to hang yourself in the Toilet. Or indeed punish Yourself, by whipping your shoulders with a Rifle (Or Bren, the choice is Yours!) sling to Punish yourself. It is NORMAL & Perfectly acceptable, to encounter a Bren that does NOT have ALL manufacturers Markings. The SAME!!!!!

Be content, that You own at LEAST One. Of the Most Perfectly designed & reliable, Light Machine Guns. That was ever Invented!....

[Peter Laidler]

Added to Tankies thread above....... Even if you have one of the earliest Enfield made classic Brens, guess what? The butt assemblies (and slides - but we're not absolutely sure of that bit quite yet) and fittings were sub contracted out to BSA as was a proportion of bipod manufacture.

[Cectech3140]

Ok, so I can load Mk 2 parts in A Mk 1 receiver.
Thanks, just wasn't too sure on that.
Yes, the Bren gun is by far the best LMG designed so far.

I also heard that there was talk about a Belt-fed being considered. But the idea was dropped due to the war.

Last question, what is the best book on the Bren?

[gsimmons]

We're all waiting for Peter's new book to finally be published.

[Cectech3140]

Does he have a release date yet?
Seems Peter's book would be the best yet.