Early Mk1 Bren with white highlighted markings

[Flying10uk]

A recent arrival to my collection, a MK1 double dovetail Bren has almost all the markings highlighted in white paint which I haven't seen before on a MK1. The Bren was deactivated in 2011 and so has obviously had at least 1 previous owner since deactivation before coming to me. Is this normal practice for an early Bren to have highlighted markings or is it the result of an over enthusiastic, post deac, collector getting carried away?

Another aspect to this deac is that the Kings Crown has been removed/scrubbed for some unknown reason although I would suspect this was during it's service days. It also has the radiuses top edges to the receiver as would perhaps be expected with an early Bren.

I am sorry that at present I am not able to take/post digital photos.

Many thanks for any info.

Information

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[Brit plumber]

It sounds like one of the Ex Greek batch. Does it have a new hand stamped number of 3 digits?

[Flying10uk]

The serial number has a prefix of what looks like a combination of a y and a L followed by 3 numbers in slightly odd sort of font.

[Peter Laidler]

We didn't highlight the markings. Probably an over enthusiastic previous owner

[Vincent]

Shame you can’t post pictures. I would love to see your double dovetail Mk1. What is the second dovetail used for?

I bought my digital camera in 2003. It is only 5mp with a 3x optical zoom. So far I have taken a little over 31,000 pictures with it. I think I got my money’s worth from it. I use my phone mostly now. It’s just so convenient.

[Flying10uk]

It will come in time, Vincent, as I have very limited I.T. skills. I have actually purchased a digital camera a few weeks ago but so far I haven't figured out how to use it or even turn it on. I have managed to get it out of the box which is the first stage; more than can be said for the printer which I purchased at the same time.

[Vincent]

That’s great. I am looking forward to it.

[Peter Laidler]

I wonder why Greece scrubbed the Crown? Any ideas anyone? They didn't get rid of their own Royal family until the late 60's(?). I can understand why the PLA/Chinese Militia scrubbed the US property mark from their No4's

[Brit plumber]

All the scrubbed Brens came in the Ex Greek batch and the story goes that these were Brens returned to Greek authorities after a treaty with a Greek separatist/terrorist group. I've never researched this but it sounds plausible. One thing I know for sure is that they are Greek in origin. A museum curator in Athens got in touch with me some years ago asking why a Bren he purchased at an Island market had no markings (it was original, ie rusty all over and live). It matched perfectly the Deac examples found in the UK

[Peter Laidler]

'....... purchased at an island market....' How the other half live!