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  1. #1
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
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    Bren Transit case

    I have a friend that has a bren transit case that he is willing to either give to me or sell have not gone that far yet but he has offered it to me.
    Is it at all possible that it could also be made up to a Sniper T transit chest without to much hassle modifying the internal layout.
    As I have been trying for the last 10-12 years to find one here and they just don't turn up or those that sell them want a small fortune for them.
    TIA
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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.
     

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    Advisory Panel Lance's Avatar
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    Converted Bren chests are rare, at least to me. I purchased the only one I have ever seen, ex-Greek. I do not know if they did it or if it was done in the UKicon. It has been repainted on the outside without any other markings.

    If anyone can translate the paper inside I would really appreciate it as I have never researched it.
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    Thanks for the reply Lance so I gather from your post that it is at least feasible to convert the internals of a bren chest to suit a No.4 T, hopefully PL or BD may help as well to the enquiry.
    The only thing is he said he'd have to dig it out so its condition may not be all that flash but anything is better than nothing but I've come unstuck with that philosophy before...!

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    You've already have the drawings here on this forum which should give enough information to make or get made the transit chest from scratch. DS Solutions militaria in the UKicon sell repro hinges and catches.
    https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...S.A.-No.15-Mk1
    Reproduction, Metal Hardware Set for Chest No15 Mk1 (No4(T) Sniper Rifle)

    I would have thought that you would want the Bren transit chest as is, as a militaria collectable, if it is in reasonable condition and the price is ok.

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    Thx F10 I'll download that pdf as the other I loaded from here years ago the plans are virtually unreadable so we will see how this goes.
    Getting things from the UKicon or the USAicon postage costs are through the roof and our $ is very weak against the GBP & USD I think our $ is only worth 55 pence so what ever the item costs pretty much double it plus then add the postage cost onto that to get the item here.
    Then there is the time frame, one book I procured from the UK took 6 months to get here.

    I was hoping that some of the guys that have had these chests and converted them would have been able to at least advise me if it is feasible.
    We can never own a Bren here and even a deactivated one if we could own one in our state would cost in the region of $15,000/Aud.
    If you think that's expensive a chap was selling over east a fully functioning and licensed MG42 for the cheap price of $40,000/Aud so yeah things here are exponentially more expensive than anywhere else in the planet.

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    Hi mate. I have several Bren chests of a couple of different types. There are differences in the internals (those that have bits left) and mainly only the bump boards on the outside in different set ups. But there is another chest almost the same, but a bit wider.
    I have found these can have been repurposed a couple of times, evidenced by the marks on the inside where previous fittings have been removed.
    I think your best bet would be to look at the overall dimensions of the No4T chest in comparison with the particular one you have your eye on, and then, if there is more than a little difference… See if the baffles from the T chest diagram can be adapted to the size of your chest.
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    The Bren chest I have is also Greek in origin. Am I right in thinking that the No.1 HT snipers actually used converted Bren chests for their transit chests, as opposed to the No.4 'T's which had special cases made?

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    Cinders, best take along a No 4 rifle to test the fit?
    The interweb tells me a No 4 is 44.5 inches long, whereas a Bren Mk1 & Mk2 is slightly longer at 45.5 inches but a Bren Mk3 & Mk4 only 42.9 inches.
    Last edited by RobD; 01-16-2023 at 05:53 PM.

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    Thanks Rod I'll get onto my mate to dig this thing out of his shed he is pretty good with stuff but I have no idea as to its condition this will decide if the project gains fruition.
    I snagged a set of binos that are part of the CES for the T they are in refurbed condition and appear to be as new, the stadia in the Rt eye piece are crisp with only 2 tiny bits of lint specks which are not affecting them in any way.
    I got a scout draw scope years ago and repro sight can for $200 all up so happy with that the leather container for the scope is grey/blue colour to me that sounds like RAF.

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    Quote Originally Posted by newcastle View Post
    The Bren chest I have is also Greek in origin. Am I right in thinking that the No.1 HT snipers actually used converted Bren chests for their transit chests, as opposed to the No.4 'T's which had special cases made?
    No, the Bren chest is narrower than the HT chest. The rifles were boxed in pairs. Upside down with scopes removed, in their cans, in fittings set up to hold them
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