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Post by tom on Nov 29, 2005 23:57:59 GMT 1
Although mainly assocaited with the Bren, the Can, oil M.G., Mk. III was also used with the Besa and appears in the later parts lists. A number of versions of this can exist (If any one has any other types could they post pics please?) In UK service (I'm not sure when when it stopped being practice, the last version of the Mk 3 came painted green as standard) cans containing "Oil, low cold test, No. 1" were "painted GREEN by the units concerned to identify them from those used to contain existing oils" I have come across only a few green painted cans so I am not sure how often this was actually done. The Mk. 3 Oil can was also used in the OML 2 inch mortar kit and with the M20 3.5" Rocket Launcher and no doubt others. The Canadians produced plastic versions in several colours (although the milky white ones you come across are actually proper to their C1A1 rifles cleaning kits I am told). These cans were used in UK issue kits from 1944 onwards. ATB Tom |
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Post by Kev on Dec 2, 2005 21:14:16 GMT 1
Any ideas Tom ? Cannucks in Korea with ? type of oil can   |
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Post by missingsomething on Dec 2, 2005 23:04:34 GMT 1
That looks like a US Rifle Bore cleaner can. Can has: POISON Do not use as food container 2 oz. CLEANER - Rifle Bore Shake Well Before Using Spec. U.S.A. 2-117 P.O. No. (28-024) 44-40700.6 S.C.Johnson & Son, Inc. Racine, Wisconsin on other side it reads: CONTAINER MAY BE CARRIED IN CARTRIDGE BELTS OR POCKETS Run saturated patches through the bore until it is thoroughly scrubbed. Follow with dry patches to pick up the fluid with the dissolved salts. If the gun is to be used shortly runa freshly saturated patch through, leave the bore wet. Otherwise, oil according to regulations. At least thats what my can has on it. Sorry for the poor Pic but my camera isnt the greatest for closeups. The can measures 2 3/4 inches by 1 inch by 1 2/4 inches high.  |
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Post by Kev on Dec 2, 2005 23:17:51 GMT 1
Well thats solved that mystery ! Thanks missingsomething  Tom will sleep easy tonight ;D |
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Post by tom on Dec 7, 2005 1:44:51 GMT 1
Sleep? I don't actually sleep... On the topic of oil cans, heres a few more with some questions. This is the Can found in GPMG tools and spares rolls, "Oiler, Hand No. 1, M.K. 1" 4903-99-960-4547 Now, apart from proving that not everything looks good on red fleece, does the colour of this one signigfy anything or is it a civy job? This can, Came out of a batch of standard Mk 3 cans at beltring last, theres no brush and no markings except what looks like a partial broad arrow on the base. Any ideas what it was for? And finally, I got this From a very reputable source as a can for the L7 GPMG. Can anyone confirm this and give details. It is very well enginneered. ATB Tom |
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Post by tom on Dec 22, 2005 14:07:50 GMT 1
Once upon a time I was convinced that the oil can fitted into the middle pocket inside the Bren wallet since the earliest referance I could find which specified what went where was the 1948 manual and that said it went there. Also some of the wallets I have examined had top pockets just too small to get the can into, or if you did manage it it was impossible to get it out again.
However I have since seen the drawings for the wallet and holdall (which includes patterns for the wooden blocks to be used to test if there was room for the parts to fit in) and that clearly shows that the can goes in that top flapped pocket. This is quite odd in itself as the practice was to alter the drawings rather than redo them from scratch. For example on the drawing for the Mk II cylinder rod you can still see the faint traces where the rod was stepped to stop the ferule sliding too far down and they had failed to remove the dimension markings for where this step was to be.
So to cut a long and dull story thankfully short if you are representing a wartime wallet, stick the oil can in the top flapped pocket, if post war, stick the pullthrough and 4 by 2 in it insted!
My apologies to anyone I misinformed in the past.
ATB
Tom
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Post by britplumber on Dec 22, 2005 16:30:58 GMT 1
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Post by tom on Dec 22, 2005 16:55:32 GMT 1
I think its the roll (the bits are all Bren of course) for the very early L7 GPMGs, or more probably trials MAG 58s.
Theres something similar# on page 298 of "Gun Tools"Volume 2 by Dorsey and Shaffer, and thats definately MAG 58, as one of the tool shown is definately for that. My example of that tool came from NZ so they may have made rolls/kits or it may have come from Belgium.
Sorry I can't be more precise.
Want one, even if I'm wrong!
ATB
Tom
#Well, dead the same but the pic has been reversed, oops!
Tom
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