Bren Gun: Help Needed!

[Brit plumber]

Is this a Canadian pattern Cutaway or possibly commercial Cutaway as it's not to a U.K. SKN pattern.

[Peter Laidler]

A Mk2 combination tool is just as good if you also have a set of handymans tools handy too.

F-10 is trying to make it sound so easy for a novice but assembling the carrying handle sleeve, spring, locator and pins from scratch, without having even taken them apart is a pit of a pain. As for the barrel nut catch, spring and plunger puzzle thing that the average UK owner cannot get at in the first place.......... Then there's the carrying handle catch, spring and plunger and......... on an invisible 5 zillion TPI thread

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE SITTING CLOSE BY WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. That's advice from someone who has been dealing with them since 1963 and STILL has small springs and plungers flying everywhere.

Here's some GOOD advice for you to start with. On this forum somewhere is a detailed list of ALL the spring lengths and diameters that will tell you exactly where they originate. Some springs LOOK similar in length or wire gauge or diameter. That was done deliberetaly by the Czechs to fool the British.

I should have realised CH was Switzerland as opposed to Czech!!!!!!!

[Meerkoos]

I wouldn't say that the Mk1 tool was essential more a nice to have tool. You can probably get by without one with a little thought, ingenuity and using modern tools.

Hmm... Thanks for the insight. Mk1 tools are ridiculously expensive, so that saves me some money.

---------- Post added at 06:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 AM ----------

Is this a Canadian pattern Cutaway or possibly commercial Cutaway as it's not to a U.K. SKN pattern.

I have no idea what pattern cutaway it is. I'll take pictures as soon as I receive it to see if anybody knows. I tried to search online, but none seemed to look like mine. I would suspect this was done by a machinist or armorer. Also,, what do you mean by "SKN"?

---------- Post added at 06:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:12 AM ----------

A Mk2 combination tool is just as good if you also have a set of handymans tools handy too.

F-10 is trying to make it sound so easy for a novice but assembling the carrying handle sleeve, spring, locator and pins from scratch, without having even taken them apart is a pit of a pain. As for the barrel nut catch, spring and plunger puzzle thing that the average UK owner cannot get at in the first place.......... Then there's the carrying handle catch, spring and plunger and......... on an invisible 5 zillion TPI thread

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE SITTING CLOSE BY WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. That's advice from someone who has been dealing with them since 1963 and STILL has small springs and plungers flying everywhere.

Here's some GOOD advice for you to start with. On this forum somewhere is a detailed list of ALL the spring lengths and diameters that will tell you exactly where they originate. Some springs LOOK similar in length or wire gauge or diameter. That was done deliberetaly by the Czechs to fool the British.

I should have realised CH was Switzerland as opposed to Czech!!!!!!!

Wow, I am really soiling my pants now. I have visited all three armorers in my area, and none dared to reassemble such a monstrosity. They are really more familiar with Stgw 57 and Stgw 90 rifles...

As for tools, I have a decent screwdriver set, but no spanner bits for the grip nut and the like. I'll have to buy the combination tool or equivalent.

Thanks a lot for the spring tip! I was also wondering how I was going to tell one spring from another...

[Peter Laidler]

You can easily make tools to replicate the Mk2 combi tool but all you REALLY need is a 17mm(?) spanner to screw in the return spring tube, a piece of leather to hold the spring loaded return spring tube down while you start it off (saves cutting your hand) and a 1/2@ or 12mm wide flat screwdriver to screw in the pistol grip screw. You'd better come back when it comes to assembling the carrying handle assembly. As apprentices, we all had to make special tools.

Can we assume that the reciprocating parts and breech block are all assembled and inside the gun body? Maybe you could just take a trip to the UK and see one done. Or better still, fly me to CH to show you. I have done one or two - million - before!

[henry r]

#at the customs desk, Zurich, when the x-ray shows up a strange assortment of handmade tools in peters' luggage#

"welcome to Switzerland and what is the purpose of your visit today?"

[Flying10uk]

F-10 is trying to make it sound so easy for a novice

I can only advise about how I would go about tackling the job and others may decide on doing it using a different method. I tried to suggest a logical and methodical method of going about it. It does complicate matters, however, that Meerkoos hasn't taken it apart.

Meerkoos, if you look at the top right of this page there is a box that states "Need help click here", if you then tap in "Stripping the Bren Gun" it should bring up a thread (hopefully the first thread) with a pictorial article by Klunk on how to strip the Bren Gun which you may find useful. There is also much other helpful advice in other threads brought up with this search facility.

[Meerkoos]

You can easily make tools to replicate the Mk2 combi tool but all you REALLY need is a 17mm(?) spanner to screw in the return spring tube, a piece of leather to hold the spring loaded return spring tube down while you start it off (saves cutting your hand) and a 1/2@ or 12mm wide flat screwdriver to screw in the pistol grip screw. You'd better come back when it comes to assembling the carrying handle assembly. As apprentices, we all had to make special tools.

Can we assume that the reciprocating parts and breech block are all assembled and inside the gun body? Maybe you could just take a trip to the UK and see one done. Or better still, fly me to CH to show you. I have done one or two - million - before!

Oh lord... I'll rummage and try to look for a suitable screwdriver. As for the spanner, I have no idea how it looks. Do you have any pictures? Can I use the Mk1 tool to do all this instead?

Yes, the essential components are all housed inside the receiver. Bolt should be intact.

---------- Post added at 08:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 AM ----------

I can only advise about how I would go about tackling the job and others may decide on doing it using a different method. I tried to suggest a logical and methodical method of going about it. It does complicate matters, however, that Meerkoos hasn't taken it apart.

Meerkoos, if you look at the top right of this page there is a box that states "Need help click here", if you then tap in "Stripping the Bren Gun" it should bring up a thread (hopefully the first thread) with a pictorial article by Klunk on how to strip the Bren Gun which you may find useful. There is also much other helpful advice in other threads brought up with this search facility.

Thanks for the links F-10. You are absolutely right when it comes to the fact that I haven't taken it apart myself. Again, I should take my time and figure this out.

[browningautorifle]

all you REALLY need is a 17mm(?) spanner

As for the spanner, I have no idea how it looks.

An open end wrench? Don't you have a set for work in the garage?

[Meerkoos]

An open end wrench? Don't you have a set for work in the garage?

Ahh! You meant a spanner wrench. I was thinking a spanner bit. I should have one or two laying around, yeah.

[browningautorifle]

You meant a spanner wrench.

Yes, a simple open end wrench. Try them until you find a snug fit.