Trials Bren gun

**MGMike** · 03-13-2017 11:55 AM

I concur with Ken that Wheaty's gun (and mine, also marked "Zbrojovka Brno") are likely postwar. Wheaty's is noteworthy in that it shows some later British icon

genes: the earlier AA sight flange on the rear of the receiver is absent. However, the flange is present on mine. Possibly both receivers were leftovers found at Brno after the war. All the postwar numbers I have seen were, as Ken points out, in the 2xxx range.

Peter: I think I confused ZB39 with ZGB39, the former being the Bulgarian 8x56 gun made only by CZ c. 1939-40. I have a parts set for one that was imported from Bulgaria but surprisingly has Waffenamt-63 proof and acceptance stamps on the barrel only (not on any other parts).

Also, the mention of a "castellated" nut in the trials reports you referenced is odd, as the barrel nut is not castellated, but the flashhider is. And it is threaded, in prominent contrast to the Mk1 Bren. Just a thought...

M

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**Peter Laidler** · 03-13-2017 12:14 PM

Agreed Mike. Castellated' was the wrong word. I mean an interrupted square thread......... but you know what I meant to say! To be really honest, I get/got totally confused with the ZB variables. That's probably why I said ' .....if you want to know more about them, then read that' indicating to the first Bren Gun saga. But as I also say at the end of that chapter, words to the effect that '....... good though the ZB guns were, it was the cuckoo Bren that threw the ZB nestlings/chicks out of the nest.......'

**Kev G** · 03-13-2017 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by MGMike

I have a parts set for one that was imported from Bulgaria but surprisingly has Waffenamt-63 proof and acceptance stamps on the barrel only (not on any other parts).

Four ZB39's came out of Zimbabwe a few years ago which I inspected before deactivation.These too had replacement barrels that had waffenampt 63 markings.I believe there were a couple of separate contracts for spare barrels from 42> to Bulgaria.

Kevin

**Warren** · 03-21-2017 09:49 PM

Here is another ZB 39 barrel with German icon

markings and the castellated flash hider of which they speak.
Also the receiver markings and the cancelled Czech icon

(??) inspection marks under the mag well cover
This one is still in 8 x 56R and has been scrubbed of markings (country crest) on the top of the receiver.
Attachment 82031 Attachment 82033 Attachment 82034 Attachment 82035

**Peter Laidler** · 03-22-2017 05:03 AM

I can only assume that the castellated nut on the f/e was so that it could be removed using the ZB type combination tool and replaced by a blank firing adaptor. Why oh why didn't we just follow the ZB ideas regarding barrels. Stepped flash eliminator that was bound to clog up from day 1. BFA idea that was too complicated for words to even describe............

**mrclark303** · 03-22-2017 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

I can only assume that the castellated nut on the f/e was so that it could be removed using the ZB type combination tool and replaced by a blank firing adaptor. Why oh why didn't we just follow the ZB ideas regarding barrels. Stepped flash eliminator that was bound to clog up from day 1. BFA idea that was too complicated for words to even describe............

It looks like a really good idea, plus if we had to pay for any design changes, why on earth make a retrograde step ... and pay for the privilege?!
I suppose our FE mod was a manufacturing concession, though it seems a curious thing to cut corners on, especially when the initial Mk1's had all optional extras going, the only thing it didn't have was a cigarette lighter!

I'll wager the end user wasn't consulted on this one!

**Brit plumber** · 03-22-2017 11:42 AM

I've got one of the ZB blank fire devices, I can take photos of anyone's interested.

**Warren** · 03-27-2017 08:42 PM

The one on the bottom is the ZB 39 BFA and the one on the top is a standard flash hider.Attachment 82274

**Brit plumber** · 03-28-2017 09:41 AM

Warren your BFA looks a little different to the one I have. Mine has the castellated collar for the tool to screw the BFA on to the barrel. Has yours been machined off for some reason or is this a different version I wonder?

Attachment 82289

**Kev G** · 03-28-2017 12:33 PM

BP's flash hider is the early castellated collar type and Warren has the later plain type.
The two types are NOT interchangeable due to the thread being slightly different in some aspect.
This also applies to early (Czech icon

controlled factory) and later (German icon

control) flash hiders and barrels.
Not sure if this was due to German tooling being slightly different if brought in for other armament manufacture and used on later barrels and f/h's ?
The threads do run OK for while but will then bind.

ATB Kevin

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