Barrel serial numbers

[1916holton]

Hi Guys,
Have a question that I hope someone will be able to answer. I have been buying Bren barrels here and there for the past month, some of them are in great almost unfired condition. One thing I've noticed it some of them seem to have a serial number ground off and then a new number stamped on them. Was this done as part of an import thing here in the U.S or was this done at the factory? Like I said, some of them are like new and have had this re serial numbering. Can someone shed some light on this?? Are barrels with only having one set of numbers more valuable??

Thanks,
Jeff

[britplumber]

Hi Jeff, The barrels are originaly matched to the gun and the number of the gun is stamped on the the left of the barrel (Looking from the rear) to ensure this. If a barrel was re-issued to a diffrent gun, the old number would be removed/ or the number obliterated and the new number stamped in its place. It is possible to find barrels in mint condition but with altered markings, or barrels that have been refinished and matched to a new gun.

There is also a Barrel serial number which is unique to that barrel and should be at the 12 o'clock position. This would never be removed as it is unique.

[1916holton]

OK, guess that answers my question

Thanks!
Jeff

[1916holton]

Ok, but got another question now, two of my barrels have the serial# at 12 o'clock but the other number has been ground off and no other number added. Was this barrel just on the shelf as a potential spare??

Jeff

[britplumber]

Probably, or perhaps the army that used it didnt care to much?