tinweasle Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Can anyone tell me if there is any other bits I need to find or bits I need to lose to get my Bren kit accurate? Cheers ShaunShaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 In the spare parts tin you will need: an extractor, an extractor stay, Extractor stay spring. Firing pin, firing pin spring. The firing pin must be deactivated by being shortened by approx. 3mm to be legal. :yawn: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enfield1940 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Shouldn't the wallet have a pocket on the left to store the multi-part cleaning rod? I'm also gradually putting together an L4A4 holdall set. I'm currently missing the cleaning rod, tube of grease and contents for the spares tin. Probably some other bits as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Shouldn't the wallet have a pocket on the left to store the multi-part cleaning rod? I'm also gradually putting together an L4A4 holdall set. I'm currently missing the cleaning rod, tube of grease and contents for the spares tin. Probably some other bits as well. Yep, the tan '37 pattern webbing wallets later had a 'Pouch' for all the cleaning rod sections. And the later green webbing variants had this also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Ok thanks for that, I have the small parts in the tin do you happen to know the full length of the firing pin so I can make sure mine is on the right side of the law. My wallet is one of the 50's made ones so I wonder why it's missing the cleaning rod holder, other than that is it all looking complete, I think I need another oil bottle and the barrel bag is for a MK3 bren but apart from that? many thanks shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 You may find this useful. Credit to my friend Tom B for the pretty pics and Kev G for the scan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I should have added that from L4A4 onwards (Lets not get onto the A3/A5 debate) that there wasn't a second barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Ok thanks for that, I have the small parts in the tin do you happen to know the full length of the firing pin so I can make sure mine is on the right side of the law. My wallet is one of the 50's made ones so I wonder why it's missing the cleaning rod holder, other than that is it all looking complete, I think I need another oil bottle and the barrel bag is for a MK3 bren but apart from that? many thanks shaun EASY to check. When they have been ground down below a usable length. There may well be blued/discolouration near the tip. Due to the heat build up of grinding back. BUT, the instant way to see it has been Deactivated. Is look at the Point of the Tip (The thin long section) is it ROUNDED. Or FLAT? If it's rounded & not discoloured, it has NOT been touched! If it's flat & looking CLOSELY under a magnifying Loop. There are small grinding scratches/Marks. It's been ground down. If you are in doubt, take a close up photo, & I will be able to confirm for you Mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Those photos are very handy thanks, I will have to take a photo of the contents of my small parts tin as I'm not completely sure what all the bits are:blush: But I have some bits not in the photos and to be honest I don't know if they even belong to a bren let alone my L4A2 many thanks shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 Those photos are very handy thanks, I will have to take a photo of the contents of my small parts tin as I'm not completely sure what all the bits are:blush: But I have some bits not in the photos and to be honest I don't know if they even belong to a bren let alone my L4A2 many thanks shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I take it from the description that the firing pin is for an SLR, not the LMG? Or are they the same thing? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I take it from the description that the firing pin is for an SLR, not the LMG? Or are they the same thing? Andy NO, the Firing pin is from the LMG/ Bren. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 NO, the Firing pin is from the LMG/ Bren. :-) That's why I'm confused. Look at 21A© in the manual page reproduced in post #6 - there's a firing pin spring for the LMG, but the pin is apparently for an SLR. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 That's why I'm confused. Look at 21A© in the manual page reproduced in post #6 - there's a firing pin spring for the LMG, but the pin is apparently for an SLR. Andy The idea is for the spare parts tin to contain the parts that may commonly break, the firing pin spring on the LMG was obviously prone to breaking or becoming weak so there is a spare. The Firing pin of the L1A1 was obviously prone to the tip breaking off so there is a spare L1A1 firing pin. They are seen as two separate items, you will notice there are 2 extractors, one for the L1 and one for the L4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Those photos are very handy thanks, I will have to take a photo of the contents of my small parts tin as I'm not completely sure what all the bits are:blush: But I have some bits not in the photos and to be honest I don't know if they even belong to a bren let alone my L4A2 many thanks shaun Shaun, any chance of some photos of your L4A2? Has it been re-marked as a L4A4? Any chance of the serial number? Cheers, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 The idea is for the spare parts tin to contain the parts that may commonly break, the firing pin spring on the LMG was obviously prone to breaking or becoming weak so there is a spare. The Firing pin of the L1A1 was obviously prone to the tip breaking off so there is a spare L1A1 firing pin. They are seen as two separate items, you will notice there are 2 extractors, one for the L1 and one for the L4. Thanks Chris - it seemed slightly odd that instead of the obvious LMG spare firing pin there was an SLR one. So would you bother carrying one in an AFV with only the LMG and some SMGs, I wonder? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 Sorry Chris mine is an L4a3, I was suffering from fat fingers you, you should have the numbers from an earlier thread. This is is what I have in the small parts tin, no SLR parts yet. But can anyone tell me what's what? many thanks shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Sorry Chris mine is an L4a3, I was suffering from fat fingers you, you should have the numbers from an earlier thread. [ATTACH=CONFIG]86461[/ATTACH] This is is what I have in the small parts tin, no SLR parts yet. But can anyone tell me what's w many thanks shaun Container spare parts: Piston Post Buffer spring Spring, Firing Pin Firing Pin Gauze (For removing rust from the bore) Flannalette, 4" x 2" Stay, Extractor (the pin to the right of the F.P. is a pin retaining Firing pin. It fits into the piston extention & should NOT be in the tin!) Firing pin spring The black pin to the right of the F.P spring is a pin, retaining Piston. & also should NOT be in the tin!) Extractor cartridge These 'sets' were sold by certain dealers after Deactivating the Guns Proper. As the piston SHOULD have been removed from the piston extention upon Deactivating. They were put in these 'set's' to bulk them out a bit more, & the retail price for the 'Set' seemed a little more 'Reasonable'! Also, when Deactivating LOT's of weapons. It is a fact that some of the components that are removed. Soon build up & require much needed storage space! Some are of a class that HAVE to be destroyed. Or sold/Traded with other Sec.5 dealers to remain Legal. Some like these Bren/Lmg sets, Can be sold on. They SHOULD morally be left in the Weapon. As the 'Customer' SHOULD get as much back as he is Legally entitled to own! The 2 pins I mentioned above. Were ONLY fitted/Exchanged by the Unit Armourer. As they required the heads to be riveted over, to retain their respective components. Certain clearances would have to be observed known only to the Armourer. That would enable the weapon to function correctly. I have fitted 'Quite a few' of these parts whilst I was a serving Armourer, during my Service time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Oh Yes! THAT picture of 'Your' (?) Firing pin is showing an untouched example!...I would just grind approx. 1/4" off the thin section of the tip If I were you!..............:-X Whilst I remember, If your spares set up is for the L.M.G & NOT a Bren (.303") the extractor SHOULD be marked 7.62 underneath. A standard .303" variant is left blank. Hope this helps you? Edited January 20, 2014 by ferretfixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Ok, thanks for the conformation, I will take it into work and get the end ground down in the morning as I have nothing that will do it at home. many thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.