Please help ID- barrel handle

[richardw]

I received a Mk 2 barrel in the mail this week (Enfield manufacture), and it had this handle attached to it. It's not like any I've seen before. Am I correct that it is the special handle used for the bottom bracket on Mk 1 buttstocks?

I've scanned both Dugelby and Skennerton's SAIS books, and I can't find a good picture to positively ID it.

Also, how does it disassemble? Does the end-cap pry off? What is the hole in the middle for?

Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me.

[woodsy]

It is definitely not a butt handle. It has the normal barrel handle end fitting but I have not seen the cap or hole before. The normal barrel handle is sprung loaded and can be pulled back to alter its position relative to the barrel (i.e. carrying or straight out for holding when AA firing). Usually access is through the back of the grip where the retaining nut can be seen (possibly now covered by the cap). Wild speculation on my part is that it may be for tropical use with the hole to allow lubrication and the cap to help keep out water. Tropical conditions could allow the normal handle to rust in place.

[tom]

Witness the magic of a Illustrated Parts List Nerd! ;-{D)

Its the second pattern of barrel handle for the M1919A4! I don't know if its been modded or they modeled it on the Mk I Bren
one and it still fits the Brens stem.

Grip carrying handle assembly Federal stock number 1005 731 3098

ATB

Tom

[richardw]

Wow, a Browning? I wonder who did that.

This parts set came from a vendor that doesn't know which end the bullet comes out of, so it must have been modded by whoever they imported it from (India, possibly).

When I line it up next to my real Bren handles, there are very slight difference in the profile of the wood, but it does fit the Bren barrel stem perfectly.

Thanks very much, guys.

[richardw]

With the lead Tom gave me, I went searching for information about Browning handles. It seems that these were also used on BAR's.

The hole in the side is for a screw that fixes it to a stem when it's being properly used. I believe the cap is glued (?) on, and not meant to be removed.

I found this picture on the Web.