BREN Gun

Combat Diver

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2017
Messages
4,150
Location
Supply NC
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Had this brought into the shop today for an inspection. RSAF BREN Mk II in .303 made in 1942. Just missing the buttplate and is broken down sitting in the solvent tank at the moment. Hopefully will test fire tomorrow with some 1942 dated MkVII ammo. The BREN gun is a British version of the Czech vz26 light machine gun. Gun is capable of semi/full auto firing and has a 4 position gas regulator. Normal cyclic rate is about 500 rpm using a 30 rd magazine. Post WWII models were in 7.62mm and used FAL mags.

IMG_6052_jpg-762549.JPG

IMG_6053_jpg-762550.JPG

IMG_6056_jpg-762551.JPG


CD
 
You’re taking on some interesting projects, but I gotta ask what anyone is gonna do with this? It’ll never get back into the US and you’re not fixing it up to return to the locals. Fix it, shoot it, destroy it?
 
You’re taking on some interesting projects, but I gotta ask what anyone is gonna do with this? It’ll never get back into the US and you’re not fixing it up to return to the locals. Fix it, shoot it, destroy it?

He could get it to Bragg if he wanted, but locals are using guns that are 100 years old....
 
That BREN looks like it was tied to the bumper and dragged to you for 50 years through sand storms.

And like many a Bren before it will work with a bit of care and continue to do so for many more years.

I've always loved the Bren after my dad got me a 50% scale replica/toy as a kid.
 
Status on the gun will be put on display here on the FOB till we leave. After that more that likely giving to the ANA. I'll be here till Dec 2020 that's when I'll plan on hanging it up for good. First time I've ever taken one apart, time to put it back together now.........

IMG_6060_jpg-762631.JPG


CD
 
Last edited:
Any change you can post a video of the test fire?
 
That I do however I did find one of the Carriers out in the Kuwaiti desert in 94' sitting out there with all of Saddams destroyed armor.

CD
 
Both rounds KF dated 1942 MkVII ammo. Case on left was the one that separated first and then left separated and that case jammed into other neck piece. Scratches on left case was from when I removed it. What was amazing that the gun still fired after the first separation.

IMG_6116 rz.jpg


CD
 
I've seen a fair number of old military rounds do this, corroded on the inside or the brass has gotten brittle. Even had it happen with a LC69 round which was a real surprise.

You haven't lived until you've had a base separation through the extractor groove and into the primer pocket. I've seen it with Austrian (OJP) and Korean (PS) .30-06 as well as French M2 ball. It happened to me with a Yugo 54 dated 8mm round. Fortunately it didn't badly damage the FN49 I was shooting.
 
I've seen a fair number of old military rounds do this, corroded on the inside or the brass has gotten brittle. Even had it happen with a LC69 round which was a real surprise.

You haven't lived until you've had a base separation through the extractor groove and into the primer pocket. I've seen it with Austrian (OJP) and Korean (PS) .30-06 as well as French M2 ball. It happened to me with a Yugo 54 dated 8mm round. Fortunately it didn't badly damage the FN49 I was shooting.
Hearing that an FN49 wasn't damaged makes me thank God that he created Belgians to make firearms and beer.
 
Hearing that an FN49 wasn't damaged makes me thank God that he created Belgians to make firearms and beer.

When the case let go it turned the next round in the magazine 90 degrees point down which penetrated the bottom of the magazine case. Other than a pinpoint hole through the metal, no other damage occurred which is incredible.

YkT5sqLl.jpg
 
Last edited:
Status on the gun will be put on display here on the FOB till we leave. After that more that likely giving to the ANA. I'll be here till Dec 2020 that's when I'll plan on hanging it up for good. First time I've ever taken one apart, time to put it back together now.........

IMG_6060_jpg-762631.JPG


CD

I especially like the blue tape on the carry handle.
 
That thing has the most straight up & down pistol grip I've ever seen, even on pistols.

And I understand all the other tools, but an electrical meter? Checking for continuity between the barrel and receiver? :D
 
That thing has the most straight up & down pistol grip I've ever seen, even on pistols.

And I understand all the other tools, but an electrical meter? Checking for continuity between the barrel and receiver? :D

Multimeter is used to check the batteries for the 7.62mm Miniguns as they are electrical driven and mechanically fired. That's my primary system I work on.

Mk44 and power pack
IMG_6177.jpg

CD
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom