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  1. #1
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Bren Vest

    I recently purchased this Bren magazine vest which I believe to be an original example. I first became aware of these vests in the late 1970's when a collector friend of the family produced a similar one. When in contact with the vendor of this example it would seem that this one came onto the collector's market in the late 1970's too. I wonder if this was the time period that any remaining Bren vests held in UKicon military storage were sold/disposed of?

    Please feel free to comment on this example although I don't really know much about them other than they were a vest intended to hold Bren mags.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    I don't see a size marked...the one I know of here is exactly the same. It's a size of very small stature.

    They wouldn't be of much use only holding two though...the #2 had a chest of ten and the men all had one or two. I'll bet they were a flash idea that sat in crates until disposal.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    It's a size of very small stature.
    My example would seem to be designed to fit a slim person.

    I wonder if most of the left over examples held in storage after the war were the small sized ones?

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    Hard to say, there don't seem to be many or not many here have seen them.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
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    Does it have a small broad arrow stamp and 2 numbers like ‘29’?

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brit plumber View Post
    Does it have a small broad arrow stamp and 2 numbers like ‘29’?
    Not that I can see, only what is stamped on the label, last pic, post 1.

    There are several chalk markings that I can't really make out.

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    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
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    Did you get it from eBay recently?

    For what it’s worth, I think it is genuine as quite a few of this variation have turned up with provenance and in experienced collectors articles. It has been suggested that these are the left over unpopular sizes that sat in stores for years. You would have to be a midget to where it over your blouse and everything else and lets face it, even in the 40’s, men always wanted to be taller/bigger. I still tend to go one size bigger for my uniform, gives me lots of erm....wiggle room.

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    It would fit me, if I went on a strict diet or I wore it without the straps done up.

    I had to use my judgement on whether or not it was genuine and as far as I could tell it looked like an original before parting with my cash.

  13. #9
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    I'm quite sure it's original...the one I know of has been in collection here since the '70s.
    Regards, Jim

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    I have to say that I never saw or even heard of something like this in my time, from Cadets at my boarding school in 1960 or so onwards. 2 mags wasn't going to make a difference as BAR says. Everyone in the small rifle sections had 12 distributed among them and at platoon level more! In platoon or section in defence each gun would have its full compliment plus some more carried by the platoon Sgts and Commanders - plus bandoliers. 2 extra...... Nope, me neither!

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