Demiled BREN MK II 1944

[MK_II]

Hi! I have this demiled Bren MKII. He has one torch cut on the receiver. Is this hard to repair? Also barrel has torch cut but I know it's probably not possible to reweld barrel. I should buy new barrel. Here is picture of receiver.

Information

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[Flying10uk]

Do you wish to repair/restore it for display purposes as a curio or do you want to restore it to working condition, if living somewhere where it is legal to own it in working condition?

[browningautorifle]

Welcome to the forum... Yes, you can fill that with weld. The barrel as you say would be better replaced. Anyone that knows welding will know how to fill that and what to block it with from the back...then clean it up and refinish. You'll get a discoloration there...

[Vincent]

You need someone who knows what they are doing to fix it right and not warp the receiver. Preferably put it in a Bren welding jig and make the filler sections from a cut Bren receiver. A skilled person might be able to do it without fillers and not warp the receiver. The good news is the cut is in a good location.

The cut is different from any I have seen. It doesn’t meet any standard for de-milling a receiver that I know of. Is there something welded inside the receiver to block a bolt from going in? The cut doesn’t look like it would keep the gun from operating.

[TactAdv]

Vincent....actually, I see cuts like that all the time on all kinds of MIL equipment up for auction/disposal. It matches the directives issued pretty much all over for a "destructive action" when disposal is ordered. Typically it is meant to convey the notion of the item not being warrant-able for serviceability.........ONLY.

You'll see this all the time here in USA with surplussed power sections....engines, gensets, gas generator sections, etc. Usually a cut in the flywheel or bellhousing.......typically totally repairable, but not in original condition.....they couldn't make any money if these items weren't usable again, but such a cut gives them a way out for any liability. The non-verbal way of saying "sold as-is, where-is".

No clue here on where this Bren is though.......
-TomH

[Flying10uk]

Presumably there isn't another torch cut to the other side of the receiver??? Some more pictures would be useful if possible, please.

[MK_II]

Hi everyone! This is the only torch cut on the receiver and it's clean so inside parts could operates without stoppage. They runs smooth in their rails. But it missing some parts inside; return springs and return spring rod. I have this Bren only like souvenir of WWII heroic times and like one of the best LMG's. Here is picture of torch cut from inside:

[Vincent]

Tom,

We are talking about machinegun receivers. I know what you are talking about, but that could be misleading to others. There are rules that cover how a machinegun receiver has to be destroyed or "demilled." As I said before the receiver in the pictures doesn’t meet any standard for de-milling a receiver that I know of.

Here’s a link to a BATFE page, Machinegun Destruction

“The purpose of this procedure is to destroy the receiver or frame in a manner that will prevent its function and future use as a firearm. A proper method of destroying this firearm is to cut the receiver into separate pieces as follows. All cutting must be done with a cutting torch having a tip of sufficient size to displace at least ¼ inch of material at each location.

• Each cut must completely sever the receiver in the area indicated by the diagonal lines.

• The receiver must be completely severed in each area indicated with a diagonal torch cut.

• Cutting by means of a band saw or cut-off wheel does not ensure destruction.
•
Note: Alternate methods of destruction defining the proposed procedure must be submitted in writing to the ATF Firearms Technology Branch for review and approval prior to implementation.”

[MK_II]

Another picture from inside the receiver. Bren is in Europe because I'm from there. I thought it's properly demiled, but when I decided to search Google I saw this is different from others demiled Bren's. Another pictures:

[Gil Boyd]

If its not for close up museum standard and you "don't " intend to reactivate it, you can fill and sand that cut with nearly anything and with the right mix of colours paint it to near perfection.
Don't know which country you are in, in Europe but thats what is, what could be very loosely called an attempt at deactivation