South African 7.62mm Bren

[Kev]

A few pics of the latest lodger ;D

An SADF 7.62mm conversion of a Bren that started off life as an Inglis 1943 MKIm.Shown here with a 20 rnd metric FAL mag which was the norm so as to be compatible with the S.A. issue R1 rifle.

Magazine markings showing S.A. ownership,M inside U




LH view shown with a 30 rnd Rhodesian metric mag.



The R1 flash hider was utilised on a new manufacture 4 groove 7.62 x 51mm barrel.The front sight blade has been replaced on this conversion with a eccentric type front sight.



LH side of receiver showing 7.62mm markings and the barrel nut serial number that has been stamped onto a plate then silver soldered to the lever.



The barrel carry handle has had a replacement molded black polyamide handle.Unfortunatly it does not have a nylon pistol grip and butt which were also substitute replacements


A few pics of barrel markings including the S.A. proof mark,P inside a circle.







Pic showing the machining for the magazine retaining lug,this comes very close to bursting through into the barrel nut detent spring.The top of the spring coil can just be seen.



The ejector block is very similar to the UK inch or commonweath L4A1 ejector block with a manual hold open device.


UK L4A1 ejector block on left and S.A. ejector block on right.Similar but not inter-changeable.


Thanks go out to Mark,Peter,Dennis and Tim who put me on the trail of the odd flash hider Bren



Many thanks also to Peter Wells in South Africa who has undured my questions and helped enormously in identification and information.


More detailed information regarding the 7.62 South African Bren convertion can found here -
www.saaaca.org.za/links/SIG/bren/762bren.htm

Any further info or pics of SA 7,62mm conversions most welcome !

[Peter Wells]

Well done Kevin.

One of only a handfull (literally) known to have survived the ravages of time and Ops Mouflon when, acording to the records, the remaining 3637 guns in SANDF inventory were destroyed.

Based on Kevin's pics I have been able to confirm that it is correct for an SA Bren in all respects (other than it's current location - d**n!).

Rgds to all.

[303mal]

Hi Kev,

Very Nice mate well done. ;D

Looks great and thanks for sharing with us all.

You Lucky Sod.

All the best.

Mal.

[missingsomething]

Yes... very nice...... Thanks for sharing.

ME WANTS ONE

[wallyg]

Cheers Kev: ;D

That is a very nice SA example... I was hoping to find someone with one...

Tom R. and John C. have been very gracious in sharing their Bren bits and info... can I ask you a favor?

I will anyhow and hope you won't mind. I have two of these SA ejector blocks... but none of the assorted bits... but I do have two machinists that can make any part if I have images and dimensions... Can we possibly work out a deal such that your parts can provide the pics and dimensions needed to replicate the SA mag well conversion for standard FAL mags? I would be willing to compensate for time and materials for this documentation...

Thanks for considering my request...

WallyG. (American with Bren fever)

[Kev]

Wally I'll help if I can but I only have nothing more elaborate than a micrometer and vernier calipers.

Some more pics of the conversion -

The guides in the body have been filled and machined to lower the guide height to correct and assist in feeding rounds into the chamber.



The horns on the breech block have correspondingly been machined to take material from the top of them so as not to foul the filled guides.The machined portion of the horns are parallel to the block now rather than continuing to rise as per the original .303 configuration.



ATB Kevin

[wallyg]

Kevin:

Thanks for the offer of assistance. Sounds like you have all that will be needed... the additional pics are great... Thanks!

You don't have to post them all here unless it is easier... It makes them easier for me to copy...

I have several of the barrels...but

Like I said I have the rear conversion block and no mag catch, hold open... springs? etc.

Can these missing parts be photographed and the major dimensions noted?

Were the internal mag well lips modified/removed/reinforced (along side wall of mag well)?

Thanks again... W. Gery Hackney

[wallyg]

Can you get a view from the underside of the guide modification to the front of the mag well?

[Kev]

Wally I'll email you with some stuff and put some pics up of the modification to the magazine well lips.

ATB Kevin

[Kev]

SA Bren showing magazine lips in relation to mag well lips of FAL mag



Bottom view of mag well lips 7.62 SA Bren TOP - 303 Bren BOTTOM






Top view 7.62 SA Bren TOP - 303 Bren BOTTOM





ATB Kevin

[Kev]

A few more bits and bobs in case it's of interest

Training manual -



Canadian Bren wallet with SA ownership mark -


SA pattern wallet -

[clark]

Nice find there Kevin, you allways get all the real neat toys I,m jealous (as usual)

Best ican do is this

heres a pic of one of my very rare Brens made at Long Branch back in the 50,s and was chambered for the 9mm para round.

They called it a STREN

Nice gun to fire if you can get used to the recoil, it kicks like a .50



www.pbase.com/mrclark/image/101528582.jpg

[Kev]

Nice one Clark ;D

I believe another rare variant is the Brenikon that was chambered for the 20mm Oerlikon round.

[woodsy]

Hi Guys

Keeping with the theme, I believe the .303 Brickers exists in small numbers, but I am sure the .45/70 three-barrel Bratling is rare! ;D ;D


i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/bongomania/brat.jpg[/IMG

[woodsy]

This is the Bratling!! ;D