What are the Bren mag. box sizes ?

[tr63]

Are the 8mm and the .303 cal. metal magazine carry boxes the same out side size ? Do they only have the canvas carry handles or did they have steel carry has well for the .303 ?

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[breakeyp]

Carrying handles were web and steel.

[Flying10uk]

Are the 8mm and the .303 cal. metal magazine carry boxes the same out side size ?

I've got a Canadian made metal magazine box that is smaller because it is for 20x 8mm round magazines, i.e. the magazines are shorter because they are 20rnd mags.

[Daan Kemp]

Not having the answers I can only speculate. Both 8mm and 303 magazines should have the same outside dimensions, thus the containers for additional magazines should be the same size. However, each army and user in that army will have different requirements and have different dimensions for use, and purposes. And then, of course, manufacturers' differences, lot no differences, etc. Should be interesting to see what they are!

A quick Google shows photos of many different boxes.

[Flying10uk]

The point that I was making in post 3 is that I know that there is a mag box to hold specifically 20 round mags of 8mm calibre, because I have such a box, but I don't know that there is one for 30 round 8mm mags.

[WallyG.]

Who made or used a 30 round 8mm Bren? Smaller magazine carry boxes for 20 round 8mm mags - for Chinese / Inglis 8mm guns. Larger 30 round mag carry boxes for .303 (several UK/Commonwealth versions) Redesigned larger UK versions for Commonwealth .308 30 round magazines. Presume that there was a bulk mag container for the 8x56r metal 30 round mags which would have to be about the same dimensions as the standard 30 round .303 - the mags are very similar in size... but I've only ever seen the loose magazines and not a carry box for them.

Short answer for the original poster... No, 8mm and .303 Bren mag boxes were different sizes - a smaller 20 round straight sided box vs. a 30 round curved banana mag.

[breakeyp]

Attachment 112917Attachment 112918Pictures of the carrying handles encountered on BREN chests.

[tr63]

Attachment 112917Attachment 112918Pictures of the carrying handles encountered on BREN chests.

Thanks for the pictures of the handles .