Bren Gun Identification

[m3bobby]

I'll round the tripods off then with my Mk2*. Not to many of these around, I think there were only 170 made in total to be dropped at Arnham.

[Dutchie]

One more thing I forgot to post when i got my Bren. Very nice collection Phoenix! Are they live guns?

[Dutchie]

How do I tell what mark of Tri pod I have? There is not stamps anywhere I can see...Or I'm not looking in the right place. Thanks for the original description. I was looking for that!
I can't make out the serial number here. But it looks to me to be a "41" on the far right.

[m3bobby]

Its one of the very last BSA made Mk1 Tripods, by H4700 the Mk1 production had finished. I have H4775 and its a Mk1 intermediate (A Mk1 not finished, in the transition to the simpler Mk2). Does yours have any NZ or NZA markings with some number after it? Most of the Tripods with H4xxx serial numbers are Ex New Zealand Army Stock.

H3602 Mk1 With Butt grip Clip holes.
H4627 Mk1
H4700 Mk1* NZA1113
H4775 Mk1* NZA1140
H4888 Mk1* NZA1139
H7659 Mk1* NZA1904

[phoenix]

No Not live I'm afraid, The Mk2* tripods are rare, I see you quote from the "The Other Battle , the history of BSA in WW2, the first tipods were delivered to 6th airborne in Normandy about a week after D day,I believe they were all conversions.
Here's a couple of pics to round off the Bren identification, a Mk 4.
Pete.

[m3bobby]

Thats a nice one Pete, I take it its a Mk4/2? Does it still have the original serial number?

ref. Mk2* tripods, as far as I'm aware, they were all conversions, but done by BSA with Mk2 tripods that were being assembled. All the examples I've recorded (Not many) have serial numbers very close together whereas I'd expect random serials if they were converted from recalled assemblies.

[dogdog47]

Hi All
love this thread very good.
i can add that when you have the tripod in anti aircraft mode the third leg can be replaced by a SMLE rifle via the muzzle cap.
Andy

[Dutchie]

Its one of the very last BSA made Mk1 Tripods, by H4700 the Mk1 production had finished. I have H4775 and its a Mk1 intermediate (A Mk1 not finished, in the transition to the simpler Mk2). Does yours have any NZ or NZA markings with some number after it? Most of the Tripods with H4xxx serial numbers are Ex New Zealand Army Stock.

H3602 Mk1 With Butt grip Clip holes.
H4627 Mk1
H4700 Mk1* NZA1113
H4775 Mk1* NZA1140
H4888 Mk1* NZA1139
H7659 Mk1* NZA1904

I can't seem to find any NZ markings anywhere, but there is like 3 coats of paint on it, and they might be in there somewhere. I'm glad it's a mark1 with AA legs. People will ask more questions about it when i set it up for display for sure. I don't think it's going to be used to shoot down ME109's anymore. I's rather it be a CCM AA Mk1, being it's going to have a Canadian Inglis Mk2 on it.
Dutchie

[m3bobby]

I'd love to get my hands on a CCM too, not many here in the UK, quite a few went to New Zealand.

[donoghue]

have to say thats a pretty cracking set up you have there! ive got the MK1 and case with most of the kit just struggling to find the mk1 tool for less than my soul to finish it off