Inglis Chinese script Bren

[cmpman1]

I'm working on a deal to get one of these (it will be deactivated, but is presently live). My side of the deal is done, I am now just waiting delivery to a local liscenced dealer. I don't see a lot of the Chinese script 8mm Brens in this part of the world; are they common elsewhere? What about things like the magazines? This one will come with 2 mags, and the 7.92 mag chests are routinely available on ebay, but are the 7.92 mags available anywhere? Are there any other accessories I should be on the lookout for that are specifically for this gun?

[tom]

Not sure what dedicated 7.92 bits the Canadians made but theres some interesting Chinese made holdal and wallet clones. Mines buried, Kev, do you have a pic? And of course there will be a Chinese manual/handbook.

Apart from the extractor the original spares and tool kits will be as the .303 unless someone knows different...?

Does it come with its original chest?

ATB

Tom

[cmpman1]

No original chest; just the basic gun and two mags. It has that mystical aura about it that only a little used Inglis Bren can have. It is a crime to deactivate it, but with the present laws and the anti-gun climate here in Canada, the Full auto guys just aren't buying guns like they used to.

Speaking of chests, I did pick up a Bren chest for the 1A MG a week or so ago. It is only just over 3 feet long, and looks pretty cool with a bren tucked away inside it.

Any photos of Chinese accessories along with sources for the same would be appreciated,.

[Kev]

Look forward to some pics of your Chinese contract Bren when you get it
The odd 7.92mm mag box turns up once in a while with the original Chinese mandrin characters on them (stenciled upside down) The other ones George Mefford is selling on Ebay with English writting are also genuine items although they have no handles or felt this can easily be rectified.
Look out for the ammo boxes too.


JI marked magazines are available but at a price,better to search through ZB mags and find the odd one or two.


There are 2 Chinese printed manuals 43 dated ,one is English text with Chinese titled diagrams with the other manual the other way round.Unfortunatly these show the .303 version that was also exported in large numbers.


The holdalls and wallets Tom spotted (cheers Tom) and got first are bellow.Not sure what date they are from though ?
They vary quite it bit on the material used but are an interesting addition even if they are 50's dated.
I will take some pics of a holdall with Chinese characters on but they have been translated into meaning 'boat'




ATB Kevin

[woodsy]

Hi Kevin. A very tasty set up! ;D A nice selection of accessories too. I am getting a Chinese Inglis Bren in the next couple of months that has been converted to 7.62 x 39. I will send some pictures when I get it.

[cmpman1]

And here I thought I was picking up something rare....seems like everyone has one. I'll have to draw the line at factory conversions....the 7.62X39 is going to be a tough find in Canada.

I'll order in a couple of those 7.92 English only mag chests to tide me over until a Chinese script one comes along. I have plenty of the Chinese script Long Branch stens to go alongside the CH Bren. I may have to pick up one of the Chinese marked Inglis Hipowers when I get a chance.

I am starting to think this purchase is going to cost me a lot more than the initial sticker price.

[Kev]

woodsy,mine also has been converted to 7.62x39 but it only takes few seconds to whip the ejector block out and refit the 7.92 catch etc , so we have the best of both worlds ;D.
Look forward to hearing about yours when you get it.

Have you much of a wait until you get yours cmpman ?
Do you know if it still has the Mutual Aid transfer still on it ?

I wish a few more of them would turn up over here as they are bloody hard to try and find !

Kevin

[cmpman1]

It was shipped yesterday from the owner to my dealer's. It should be there tomorrow or Monday. I'll head down there then to oversee the deactivation.
I only saw the right side of it when I was at the owners store. I have some copies of the Mutual aid decals, so I will likely reinstall one onto it if one isn't there now.

[Mongo]

kev said:

woodsy,mine also has been converted to 7.62x39 but it only takes few seconds to whip the ejector block out and refit the 7.92 catch etc , so we have the best of both worlds ;D.
Look forward to hearing about yours when you get it.

Have you much of a wait until you get yours cmpman ?
Do you know if it still has the Mutual Aid transfer still on it ?

I wish a few more of them would turn up over here as they are bloody hard to try and find !

Kevin

I assume the magwell has been modified to accept the wider AK mags in it. The Chinese converted many ZB26 to 7.62X39 and they milled out the front of the mag well to do this. I have a conversion kit for my ZB26 but instead of modifying the mag well I intend to modify the mags.

I would like to see pictures of your gun if possible.

[privatefjordy]

cmpman1 said:

I have plenty of the Chinese script Long Branch stens to go alongside the CH Bren.

cmpman, do your Chinese script Stens have mutual aid stickers? If they do, do you know where I can get a copy of the sticker for my Chinese script Sten?

Kevin, I haven't forgotten the photos, just not had time to get the Sten and mags out. I will try to do so before the weekend.

George

[Kev]

What size decal do you need George 1 inch or 1& half inch ?


Does anyone know who the original decal manufacturer/s was ?
I have a 1 1/2 inch decal that I would like to know if its genuine or repro.If its repro I will do a bit of sticking

front


reverse


poster courtesy of Grant Rombough,Canada

[privatefjordy]

Kev.

I don't know if I need a decal or not, as I don't know if the Stens bore one, or just their packaging. If they did have a decal, I would guess at the smaller size, but I also don't know where it would have been applied.

I think you answered your own question about the manufacturer as the document in your post states "DECALCOMANIA TRANSFERS Supplied by - CANADA DECALCOMANIA COMPANY, LTD"
Seeing the partial stamp on the back of yours "ANIA CO. LIMITED" I would say yours is genuine with the "CANADA DECALCOM" part of the wording appearing on a neighbouring transfer.

[Kev]

Cheers George,I feel like a right muppet now !
I will get my eyes checked out Monday !

Will have to do a bit more research as the leaflet mentions Toronto but the back of the transfer says Montreal ?

[privatefjordy]

Kev.

"Decalcomania" is apparently a technique originating in England, and derived from a French word. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decalcomania

Other companies use the word in their company name. I found this one in Montreal by a google search, "Artistic Decalcomania"

Their website, www.artisticdecal.com/index-a.html says since 1937, so they were in existence at the time. Maybe they made the decals as well as "Canada Decalcomania". You could contact them and ask if they have an archive.

[cmpman1]

To the best of my knowledge, the Chinese script stens did not have the decal. At least I have never seen reference to them having it. The ones I have were all part of the batch towards the end of the war that were made for the Chinese but then not sent when mutual aid to China was put on hold. The guns then remained in Canada for the rest of their existance, although I have heard they could be found in British service as well.

While the decals can be bought in reproduction, you can also buy the decal kits for models. You capture the image off the internet, size it, and then print your own with an inkjet printer.

One of the guys over here made up a bunch and started selling them at the gunshows and on ebay. He was charging something like $5 for a strip of 8. Lots of guys put then on the grips of their Inglis hipowers. I have just about worn my original decal off my hipower, so a replacement will be going on once the remnants are gone.