Bren Parts Variations

[timebandit]

Not sure if that's the best way to title this topic but you get the idea?

I've seen mention to early and late barrel locking nuts, different types of telescopic bipods (British and Australian ones? MKI telescopic bipods, MKIII telescopic bipods etc) but I've had a search of the site and can't really find anything about the differences as such - I thought there might of been like a picture thread showing the different types of fittings for the Bren (ie 'this locking nut is the early type and was fitted until such and such date', this is an early carry handle sleeve, this is a British telescopic bipod, this is a Canadian one and so on and so forth?) - though that could be down to me not really knowing what to actually look for due to lack of knowledge on the bits.

For my MKI in particlar, it's a 1940 dated DD, Serial No. E6477 (with the Enfield logo on the left hand side like the later MKIM style guns) what would be the correct fittings etc? My bipod is telescopic as it should be but how do I tell it's the correct one for a 1940 Enfield? The carry handle barrel sleeve is the type with the (lightening?) holes in it, it's marked BSA with the 3 rifles logo so I guess it's earlier rather than later so would this be correct (the handle etc is a MKI style JI marked Inglis one so this is a non original later addition to the gun)? The barrel lock nut, what is the difference between the earlier and later ones and what would mine of had originally?

So basically I'm curious to what should of been fitted to my gun but also in a wider picture what were the different variations in fittings and looking at the Enfield DD MKI's in particular these seem to have a few differing patterns for the guns themselves thru' from the original guns until the last of the DD's? Is there anywhere on here that documents the changes and rough serial numbers when these changes took place? I'm guessing mine will be quite a late MKI due to the style of it, any idea how late it is in relation to the change to the MKIM style and when it was built during 1940 (late on I guess?).

I've never really took much notice of Brens in the past other than I knew the differences between the different Mk's of gun but I never realised that there was so much variation in the actual bits fitted for a particular MK of gun and now I have a Bren I'm interested to find out more.

Thanks for any help and info you can fill me in on.

Mike

[Kev]

OK here's a start for you on the barrel nuts.
Early MKI's would of originaly had the safety lug on the barrel nut as a fail safe device.This was to not allow the piston extension and breech block to travel forward to fire the weapon unless the barrel nut was fully locked down.



ATB Kevin

[timebandit]

Hello Kev, many thanks for that.

I can see exactly what the difference is now between the barrel nuts. I'd seen the different types mentioned whilst browsing thru' some of the posts on here but couldn't find any pics that showed the difference but your picture clears it up perfectly for me!

I now know that mine is fitted with a MKII barrel nut.

Once again, many thanks it was really helpful.

Mike

[richardw]

That's a very nice photo of the barrel nuts. Thanks

Peter Laidler's Bren book should be published, one of these years, and I expect that it will catalog all the variants.

I've found Ian Skennerton's Small Arms Identification Series volume on the Bren to be very helpful in sorting out my parts. It has exploded view drawings that identify each part by its mark.

It's in the left hand column on this page:

www.skennerton.com/sais.html

[Gripweed]

Hello, would like to ask you about the usage of Mk.2 barrels in Westen Desert and generally in North Africa campaign. Is it possible? Thanks!

[peregrinvs]

Good question. However, I'd guess the North Africa campaign was mostly over (May 1943) by the time MkII guns produced by the Monotype Scheme were entering supply channels in quantity. The British spec Mk2 barrel made by Climax Rock Drill would only fit on a MkII receiver, so the barrels wouldn't be used as spares with MkI guns.

I believe the Canadian Mk2 barrels weren't produced until after the end of the North Africa campaign. I'm not sure about the Australian Mk2 barrels. (Both will fit on a MkI receiver) Hopefully Britplumber can clarify.

[britplumber]

I think the only Mk2 barrels that may have got to North Africa would be as fitted to the Daimler/monotype Mk2s (Production started in 1941). The Lithgow Mk2 barrels appear to have been produced from either very late 1942 or early jan 1943, and the first Mk2 Inglis barrels appeared at the end of the first quarter of 1943. I've had a look through my period pics and all the North African photos show Mk1s.

[peregrinvs]

Britplumber did indeed clarify.

A thought occurs: how about posting timelines for the Enfield, Inglis, Monotype and Lithgow Brens linked to approx serial number ranges? I.e. Date of commencement of manufacture, approx dates of production transitions, date of end of manufacture. etc. It could be quite a handy reference.

Cheers,
Mark

[Gripweed]

Thanks for all suggestions! So far I have found this picture from late November 42, Mateur, Tunisia (Blade Force). In the front Mk2 Bren with Mk2 barrel fitted, in the back propably Mk1* barrel. I am still wondering about the troops comming "from the East" (8th Army)...

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