Bren Tripod info.

[woodsy]

The Mark I tripod has the AA extension legs slid into the two rear upper legs of the tripod, and early ones have a set of spring clips to hold the butt handle when the gun is mounted. The swivel head should have some markings which will indicate the maker, year of manufacture, and serial number.

[brenman303]

mines a mk. 1 tripod.

maker/year unknown, the only marking i can find (which isn't a part number) is R152.

any help identifying it would be great

[mkvsten]

Chris,

A little bit of info on my Tripod for you...

BSA is stamped on all the blued parts, the S/N is I 2437 dated 42 followed by a /|\ with two little circles under the broad arrow. #16 stamped on the top.

Original sprayed brown finish below the brushed on green paint.

I added Kev's reproduction clips on it as well. The holes were already there for the clips which surprized me. The clips line up and fit like a glove!

Any additional info you may have on this one would be great...is it a BSA tripod ? I don't actually see the BSA logo stamped on the tripod, just the blued parts.

Mine also had painted R152 in white paint on the top rails just forward of the front sling mounts...hard to make out from these photos, but thats what is there...any ideas what this is for?

Hope this helps

[BIG MIKE]

OH Brad your such a cad! Dibble

[rickshaw]

pongo said:

Was the Mk 2 tripod kept in service until the L4 went out of service in the 1990s

Not that I am aware of. The AWM has pictures of Brens on tripods being utilised in Japan during 3 RAR's pre-embarkation training in Japan before the went to Korea in 1950. There are a few pictures of their use in Korea after this. Unfortunately, the Korean War veteran I once served with and knew well, passed away last year before I could ask him to confirm their use in Korea.




I know that by the 1970s they had completely disappeared from use. In cadets and later the Army, while training on first the Bren and then the L4, the tripod was never mentioned and didn't appear in any of the Army Pams in use at that time, for the weapon.

I'm interested in their employment both in WWII and after. Does anybody know about their issue and employment?

[tom]

The Mk 2 an Mk 2* tripods were still in the MG VAOS in 1960 and I've seen pics in some book on The RAF regt of a Bren on a tripod in the Gulf (Aden, somewhere like that) in the mid 60s.

Certainly they were still being used for training and particularly for fixed overhead fire a long time after you stop seeing them in active service use. The 1969 Handbook covers them briefly but a quick look at the CES for the L4s I have don't mention them.

The 1963 IPL for the L4A4 and A6 still lists them.

ATB

Tom

[mudeng]

A newcomer to this site, but with a keen interest in Bren carriers (sic), the early war Scout and Bren carriers carried the tripod mounting as standard. The Universal carrier, Infantry platoon etc, had fittings for the tripod. These were normally fitted to the rear of the engine deck.
The later produced T16 (American produced carrier), also had fittings for the tripod as standard.

I can furnish some pictures etc if you email me off line.

Hope this helps.

George.

[bud2612]

I'm the proud new owner of a MK1 Tripod with the AA extention, in reading some of the threads I saw mentioned a spring holder for the butt handle using springs made by a guy named Kev, does anyone have a contact e-mail or number for him.
Thanks

[Kev]

Email sent to you.

[todd]

I’m attempting to identify the manufacturer of a MK2 BREN tripod. The only markings I can find are:

K1976 (Broad Arrow) 43
The blued parts are marked “B”.

A few of the cast parts have "B4MF" cast into the item.

Any help is appreciated.

[britplumber]

Hi Todd,

I assume you mean Mk1* tripod as the Mk2 is quite scarce.

The letter B indicates a BSA produced item but the serial number K1976 would indicate 1941 or 42 production rather than a 1943 item. The B4MF must be a sand mould number at a guess.

Have a re-check on the date and let me know if it is 41 or 42.

Cheers, Chris.

[Kev]

My BSA MK2 is an I prefix serial number and is 1942 dated so a K at 43 would be about right

ATB Kevin

Edited to add - what have you got on changeover dates/serial numbers Chris ?

[todd]

Mar 24, 2010 17:28:44 GMT 1 britplumber said:

Hi Todd,

I assume you mean Mk1* tripod as the Mk2 is quite scarce.

The letter B indicates a BSA produced item but the serial number K1976 would indicate 1941 or 42 production rather than a 1943 item. The B4MF must be a sand mould number at a guess.

Have a re-check on the date and let me know if it is 41 or 42.

Cheers, Chris.

I might be wrong, but it looks like a Mk 2 to me.



Here is a picture of the serial number and date.

[britplumber]

Hi Todd, Appologies I've sorted it now, K1976 fits perfectly now, I had a L serial number in the 1942 year when it should have been a I number.

I've not got many tripod numbers,

1938,

A1307 (Relic found in the sand dunes of Dukirk with a 1939 Bren and Enfield Rifle)

1939,

A8655
B7240
B9691

1940,

None as yet

1941,

F1128
F7934
H4700
H7659

1941,

I2437 (Mk1* to Mk2 happened after this number but before I5174)
I5174

1942,

K1976

As you can see there are some big gaps.

[michielvr]

just had a look at my tripod

its 42 dated , serial is R906

BSA made ,has holes for the but handle clips and has an AA leg.

hope this helps