ZGB33 303 light machine gun

[jdm1964.58]

Hello bren gun buffs.
Does anyone know how many ZBG33 light machine guns where made to take the british 303 round.

Information

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[Woodsy]

Approximately 145 for British trials with various modifications introduced along the way. There may have been others made for foreign orders. #96 is the highest serial number I have seen mentioned in the books, although I am fairly sure the example in the NZ Waiouru Army Museum is round about #105 (I have a note of it somewhere in my reams of paper). It is fair to say they are rare!

[desperatedan]

I've got one of the ex-Irish DP guns that came onto the market a few years ago. I'm not sure how the serials should read but mine is numbered 198 and I'm aware that there were some numbered into the 200's for sale when I bought mine.

[jdm1964.58]

Thanks for your reply's.
If i had a chance to buy a deactivated ZGB33 303 would you approve due to its rarity.
Apparently 80 ZGB33 303's where sent to ireland along with 920 brens before 1940, i've got a chance to buy one of these 80 ZGB33's should i go ahead are they worth it ?.

[Woodsy]

You would be silly not to! Super rare in civilian hands, even as a de-act. I have a live 1938 Mk1 and they are rare enough, but a ZGB33would be the Holy Grail to a Bren collector.

[desperatedan]

I'm aware of one for sale at present with a dealer in the UK. IMO it's way overpriced at the £2400 (no offers) he's asking for it. When I bought mine just over 4 years ago they were being listed for under £700.
In terms of more recent prices there was a collector in the UK with 4 of them for sale just over a year ago. He was asking £1200 for each which I think is more realistic.

It's also worth keeping an eye out for the spare barrels for these. A batch of them (deact) came up for sale in the past year or two. They are numbered to the guns. I was unfortunate to have missed the numbered spare for mine so if anyone has number 198....

[Melanie_Daniels]

Here is No. 156:
Scarce 1937 Dated Brno Production Trials Bren Gun - MJL Militaria