Bren Gun - Plessey Fixed Line Sights

[woodsy]

Just to add to the Canadian supplier subject, my one was one of two that were bought in from Canada several years ago. I bought mine with a gun at auction about three years ago. Perhaps Collectors Source got onto the only remaining stock of them? At the moment, the total is still in the vicinity of 20! ;D

[cmpman1]

I sent an email to Collectors Source thanking them for the sale and asking if they could recall how many of these they had.
Here is Fred's reply:

Rob;
As I recall there was not more than a dozen we got out of England probably 15 years ago.
Glad it went to someone who will appreciate it.
Fred

Here is mine on it's new perch....an Inglis mk1(M) double dovetail. Only problem now is I will have to put together another Bren so I have somewhere to keep my 100 round drum.


The very observant may be able to spot my Boys rifle peeking in to the photo from under it's canvas cover.

[Kev]

Very nice

[Kev]

My guess to the rationalisation of the serial numbers is that there were either 16000 + produced, or else the sights were being produced along with something else similar and were all being serialised sequentially. Did Plessey produce other similar sights for another weapons system?

Apart from Vickers sights the only info on Plesseys war time production that I can find is as follows -
18 million shell and bomb cases, 11 million Breeze connectors, 28 thousand aircraft pumps, 74 000 wiring harnesses and 23 000 engine cartridge starters.

As the sights were made in 39 they must have been manufactured at Ilford in Essex.It wasn't until the 40's that they started production at Swindon and other locations including the Central Line tube between Gants Hill and Wanstead, which had been completed but not opened just before the outbreak of war. In this tunnel, with a total length of 5 miles, 2 000 people were continuously at work and it became one the most successful underground factory in the country.

[horsa (David Gordon)]

Hey Kev,

Have another number for you and it comes from Rod Bellars, a friend in Australia.

His details as sent to m:

sgt.f.l bren .303 in
pl 11132 then big circle with what appears to be pl over32.? next 1939 with 1/1 above bar

[Kev]

Thanks David,I have added the serial number given by you in Australia (11132) and also added another in Canada (15020)

Cheers

[gerolykos]

Hello folks, please have a look here 160198303162 (ebay). optical sight on Bren Guns???

[woodsy]

I see there are already some bids on this! It is, of course, absolutely nothing to do with a Bren. It is an artillery direct line sighting telescope (as used on 2 Pdr, 6 Pdr & 25 Pdr guns) fitted into a set of commercial rings, possibly a post-war attempt to fit a 'scope to a hunting rifle. This would be frustrating because these 'scopes have no windage or elevation adjustments. These adjustments were all in the gun mounting as originally issued.

[gerolykos]

woodsy said:

I see there are already some bids on this! It is, of course, absolutely nothing to do with a Bren. It is an artillery direct line sighting telescope (as used on 2 Pdr, 6 Pdr & 25 Pdr guns) fitted into a set of commercial rings, possibly a post-war attempt to fit a 'scope to a hunting rifle. This would be frustrating because these 'scopes have no windage or elevation adjustments. These adjustments were all in the gun mounting as originally issued.

yeap all these are correct but just think how ppl can be easily misleaded.