Bren MKI humpback wood stock

[Peter Laidler]

There is a lot of photographic evidence to show later production Mk1 Brens with Mk1 butts fitted from new. The Mk1 butt was declared obsolescent at some date unknown, probably when Enfield ceased producing them and started using the far superior no-frills Mk2 butts*. Obsolescent = use up existing stockpiles. The Mk1 butt was probably NEVER declared obsolete because obsolete = withdraw from service and we know that it was never actually withdrawn. So, in short, there will NEVER be an actual number of Mk1's with Mk2 butts. But I can tell you that the Mk1 butt was a load of tat and the bane of any Armourers life!
* Mk2 butts weren't made at Enfield so far as we know but by a woodworking firm in Ipswich who made Sten Mk5 butts