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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 19:56:47 GMT 1
First off, let me introduce myself. I'm Aaron Green and I'm from Missouri USA. I am an avid member of the FalFiles, and have just recently become interested in the Bren Gun. I recently purchased two kits and a bunch of spares. I am looking for information on one of the barrels I picked up. This barrel has the following markings: F456 6T 6311 55948 another 6311 s then crossed flags, then a 43 Large 7.91 I know this is a Canadian Barrel, 6311 is the serial number and 43 is the date. What I don't know for sure is the calibre. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. I also have a bolt that appears to be 7.62x51mm. It is marked HK. I didn't know HK made Bren parts. Any info on this would also be appreciated. Pics can be seen at www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163573I hope that works. Thanks In Advance for helping a lowly newbie! Aaron |
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Post by Kev on Feb 25, 2006 21:19:33 GMT 1
Hi Aaron the barrel you have was originally made for a rimmed cartridge, rimmless 7.92x57 and 7.62x51 barrel bullet leads are a completely different design. That is not to say it hasn't been 'bastardised' by some US gun dealer to take a 7.62x51 round  Inglis manufactured 7.92 barrels are marked 7.92 at the top of the back of the barrel not 7.91. They were either prefixed OT,CH or number from 1 to3 followed by - with a max of 4 more numbers. HK markings can be found on various components of Czech ZB guns, ZB26 breech blocks,ZB39 magazines etc. |
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 21:57:10 GMT 1
There is a Large 1 close to one of the 6311 #'s. So the bolt is not a Bren bolt? Thanks for the help so far!!
Aaron
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 22:32:01 GMT 1
I just edited my post, it was not a 6L, it was a 6T. Also, there are numerous JI marks on the barrel.
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Post by Kev on Feb 25, 2006 22:39:11 GMT 1
Aaron, breech blocks for prototype / trial 7.62x51 Brens used modified Inglis 7.92 breech blocks which will be clearly marked. Have never seen an Enfield made breech block for 7.62x51 NATO to the design of your one. I will post a pic of 7.62 NATO breech block tommorow so you can compare.
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Post by Kev on Feb 25, 2006 22:45:06 GMT 1
Have you got the extractor and extractor stay ? if so are they marked or can you post a picture ?
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 22:58:09 GMT 1
Kev,
No extractor, the bolt was stripped when I got it. The only mark is the HK, which after looking at the ZB series makes me believe it may be for them. Now I just have to determine what the barrel is.
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 23:00:48 GMT 1
Whoa, I just noticed one of the kits I have (43 Inglis) has a serial number with 10Txxxx. What other markings are on the Chinese types?
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Post by Kev on Feb 25, 2006 23:44:48 GMT 1
Hi Aaron markings on Inglis 7.92 Barrels will be the serial number ranges allready mentioned. The easiest way to identify a Bren barrel for 7.92 or 7.62 rimless ammunition is to look at the design of the chamber face and bullet lead guide. Barrels for rimless ammo should look like this - With a flat face and a chamfered bullet lead.  Rimmed (.303) will look like this -  with protrusions to the chamber face. Yours looks to be for rimmed ammunition -  |
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 25, 2006 23:56:41 GMT 1
Thanks Kev,
Any idea what it would be for. It's obiously not .303. The muzzle end alows the .308 bullet to go in easily. The rifling in this barrel is the best I've got. It is very sharp with no pits. I don't think it's been bastardized. It's too nice and clean for that. The leading bastardizer in the USA, Century Arms, wouldn't be capable of work this nice.
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Post by Kev on Feb 26, 2006 1:09:35 GMT 1
Have you any Russian 7.62x54R to try to see if it will chamber ?
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Post by aarongreen on Feb 26, 2006 2:01:46 GMT 1
The Russian isn't even close. About half of the cartridge will fit and that's it.
Aaron
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Post by Kev on Feb 26, 2006 2:23:45 GMT 1
By the looks of things your breech block might well be from a ZB39. L4A4 7.62x51 breech block -  Your breech block , ramps at back of different hight and design-  ZB39 breech block - (picture is not mine,so anyone with a ZB39 ....Warren can you help , with a better picture ?)  Top views showing differences - 2 L4A4 breech blocks   .303 left , ZB39 ? right Bottom view - L4A4 .303 left and on the right ZB39 ?  As you can see apart from the cartridge seating face there isn't that much difference between a .303 and 7.62x51 Bren breech block. |
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Post by Kev on Feb 26, 2006 12:14:41 GMT 1
Picture of 1943 Inglis 7.92 Bren barrel markings (has been overstamped with deac proof mark  )  Interestingly this barrel is in 7.62. But is a Chinese sleeved conversion to take the 7.62x39 AK round. |
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Post by Kev on Feb 26, 2006 14:17:49 GMT 1
Aaron as for the barrel markings on yours I have been going through some old emails from a few years ago about 7.91 markings on Bren barrels. In the US they seem to be all .303 Barrels with protrusions to the barrel face.Even MkI barrels turn up with 7.91 stamps. Pic of 7.91 marked MkI Bren barrel -  Your Mk2 barrel -  As to why they are stamped 7.91  |
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