Bren gun carrier found
 

Good evening, I'm not one of the regulars here but registered so I could pass on some information. I was combing through the local scrapyard last weekend and came across the hull of a bren gun carrier. It was on it's side leaning up against some other scrap. I could peer around the ends and saw the pulpit in front and an empty engine bay in back but that's about it. There were just the dual road wheels on it. Over all it's beat up but looks like a whole hull, couldn't see everything the way it was positioned. I told the owner of the scrapyard what he had, but I don't know what he'll do with the information.

It's at J R Salvage & Son Ltd in Sussex, NB and the phone number is 506-433-6680

Stephen Peuramaki
Mount Hebron, NB
506.432.3554

Good info but too far for me. Hope someone saves it.

Steel prices
 

Considering the price of scrap steel these days, you might want to take one for the team and drag the carrier home for safe keeping. They aren't making any more. Old vehicles are a disease, but you may find other Maritimers who need some part or another (like the top armour), and will be glad you did the right thing.

As an example of the steel business, I hauled a small utility trailer load with 850lbs of snow-crushed garden shed panels, snow-crushed driveway shelter poles, leftover steel porch railings, steel rebars, ie. misc steel. The local steel recycler gave me $56.00 for my trouble. They were buying a metric tonne for $140. I have never seen their yard as full or as busy. They had dozens of piles of crushed cars easily 40' high. And there was a big gang of very sweaty labourers at the bus stop at quitting time.

Re: Steel Prices
 

What's the average weight of a bren gun hull with no engine? To buy from the scrap yard is 50 cents a pound.

Stephen

Photos
 

Here's some photos of the hull, and I believe there was some track as well.

Stephen

Carrier Track?
 

I found this track under a pile, is this for the carrier?
Stephen

Yes sir that track is definitely for it. I already see some goodies on the hull, Muffler insulator plates in very good condition, for one. Also, it's a MKII. "PLEASE SOMEONE SAVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Yup! That is carrier track. They are a simple steel casting (?) forging (?) dry pin connected by dry pins. There is a limit on how much wear track links can safely tolerate. After that point, I believe they are considered unsafe to drive or at least untrustworthy.

Someone more knowledgible on carrier components will have to jump in on what parts are scarcer than others.

Beware, there are no vaccinations available for the ROT* disease. Rusty Old Trucks will give you nothing but grief!

Unfortunately I'm already infected with another serious disease, blacksmithing. Heat it and beat it :bang:!
But if there's someone serious about the hull/track I can have a chat with the scrapyard dealer to see if he'll set it aside.
You know you're a blacksmith when you have an account at the scrapyard. :)

Stephen Peuramaki
1.506.432.3554

Hi :)

I phone you to night :D

Oi Vey! god only knows what you'll find underneath that pile!
I can already see a set of Dozer Tracks in the background (Top Right, first photo).
Some people have all the luck! :(

Yep, those tracks go with the base of the excavator that's underneath that pile. There's been some interesting stuff going through there in the past year or 2. On the vehicle side of things, an old 50's Canadian deuce and a CMP but it had already been crushed .

Stephen

Re: NORTH-SHORE(CANADA)
 

Eric , I spoke with the owner this morning (25 Jul) and he'll not crush the hull and track for now. You have until the 15th of August, so when you're down for the giant flea market, you'll need to make a beeline for Jr and talk it over with him.
Unfortunately one track had already been crushed earlier. So there's the hull and one track. I spoke with the guys in the yard and the unit had come in that condition so there were no other parts.

thank :thup:

To bad for the order track i supose to sell one of my landrover if everyting go wel i will have the money :D to bad i have to many project :bang: and a wife that know how to count :coffee

Acquisitions
 

That's too bad on the project side of things, perhaps you need to read Advice on Acquiring tools it could come in handy, well it might be humorous :yappy:.

Stephen

It's purchased
 

Picking it up on Saturday.

Excellent, Chris! Good to see one saved through MLU. Thanks to Stephen for posting it here!

I´m amazed at what still turns up in Canada and gets turned in for scrap. Sad really when you realise 9 out of 10 don't get noticed by someone who recognises what that rusty hulk is.

H.

Good Chris :thup2:

My wife is happy now :fry:

That's fantastic. I really hate to see something like that go . It would at least make a good half track for parades.

Well done Chris,look forward to seeing more pics of it.

Out of the yard
 

Well I'm glad I posted the info to this forum. Chris, have fun with the rebuild. It's good to keep history and the memories alive.

Stephen

I will post some pictures soon. My priority is to have all parts removed, preserved and cataloged before the winter. Already I have found parts that are not in the parts book. Those numbers and pictures will be posted as well.

Pictures
 

As I promised here are some pictures of this carrier. Many parts have already been removed and restored and primed.

Attachment 22805 Attachment 22806 Attachment 22807 Attachment 22808 Attachment 22809

Pictures Con't
 

More Pictures:
Attachment 22810 Attachment 22811 Attachment 22812 Attachment 22813

another one saved
 

Morning Chris,
Well done,you are certainly getting on with the job, thats good to see, yet another one saved,and to get it out of a scap yard is even better,thats one in the eye for the scrappies, its going to be very interesting to follow your progress, Thanks for the pics,
Regards Ron

Extra track
 

Chris, Jr. found the other track, and they've set aside for you. It's been cut up but there's usable lengths.

Stephen

are you going to restore it or strip it and sell the components ? if so the front plate and steering wheel cover may be of interest to me :)

just goes to show even now these things are turning up.