TRANSIT CHEST MARKINGS

[pongo]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help me out,one of my transit chests is one of those chests from Withams and inside among the grease i found the usual Australian paperwork so the chest has been Australian,but the markings on the outside of the box "CHESTS BREN 303 IM MK 1" has had a line through it and above this a British NSN number has been added in black "1005-99-961-8442" the question being why would there be a British stock number on the case ?

[tom]

The NSN number just refers to the part having originated, design wise in the UK, not long since I had boxes of Mk II barrel handles, definately Aussie made (was it iron wood?) and they all still had the 99 UK designator.

I believe South Africa also used the NSN system, they certainly did in their 7.62mm Bren illustrated parts lists. Did they use 18 as their code? Sorry minds a blank today!

ATB

Tom

[Kev]

I think allot of Aussie 'gun furniture' is Coachwood,whatever it was it must have some good characteristics as the butts never had the anti crack splices let into them.

[tom]

Ta, thats what it was, coach wood! Must be good stuff if it can survive down there ;-{D)

All the best and Merry Christmass to one and all!

Tom