Anti Aircraft handles

[norfolk]

Dear all,

Why is it that the Bren Anti Aircraft butt handles are so hard to get hold of and so expensive? Surely many handles were produced early in the War - were they added to the weapon at manufacture, or in the field?

Kind regards,
Norfolk

[Tim]

Hi thier,

The AA handles for collectors has always been a bit of a bug bear,
at least now that the bren thing has expanded.

The handles were fitted at source and issued with the guns. So
assuming the suspect figure of some 30,000 Mk1 guns built and in france when it all kicked off we have that quantity of handles.
In use the majority found these items a bit of a pain and none essential. This was of course fed back as info for the supply guys.
Germans arrive we all get kicked out of france and a given figure of some 26,000 guns lost .Meantime work progresses to speed manufacture ( MK1m ) One of the first things to go is the handle.
Those that were left were withdrawn and a lot were actually used on the 2" mortar as carry handles.
The australians however did like the handle and carried on issuing, where they all are god knows cos ive never seen one.
British issue are rare , a few more canadian ones are in evidence,
as said never seen a aussie one.

Some very good repro,s around and of course some dire pathetic ones. The handles will only fit a Mk1 or Mk1m Mk2 and Mk3 have different fittings.

Regards
Tim

[andrewupton]

I haven't had any dealings with the following, but a link to this website/seller in Canada was posted on another forum, and they have a Bren AA handle listed for sale at $295 (slightly less than £150) if it's of any use to someone:

www.collectorssource.com/category.asp?catid=9

[norfolk]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your thoughts. I had forgotten about the amount of arms that were lost at Dunkirk.

The Bren I hope to be getting is a 1941 dated example. It is a mark 1 but without the dovetail, does this make it a mk1m??

It is also covered in a large amount of protective grease, is this simple to remove or is it best to leave it as it is??

Many thanks,
Norfolk

[missingsomething]

The Mk1m is the gun with the dovetail removed on the side.

As for the grease, hot soapy water.... pressure washer at a car wash works great (may not be politically corect in all locations , then remove remaining grease with some type of grease cutting solution and then re-oil.

[norfolk]

Thanks for that mate. Dont think my local garage would be a good place to take it! ;D

Before I take the plunge, can you just give me a ballpark figure for a 1941 dated Enfield Mk1m bren?! It is a nice looking gun, I just dont want to pay way over the odds for it.

Many thanks again,
Norfolk

[missingsomething]

If you clean up... you can also use a shower...... In Canada a dewat usually goes for $1000 - $2000 CDN

[norfolk]

Thank you so much for your help. Hopefully the Mrs will allow me to use the shower!!

[Kev]

Doesn't seem an unreasonable request ;D ......good luck !