Bren Transit Case

[Jon Skagfeld]

Appears that you have a later production of the case, with web handle straps. Originally, I believe the straps were roped.

Looking at the case, with the lid up and away from you:

Far right, side closest to you...slot is for spare magazine.

Centre, side away from you...fitments for containing the spare barrel.

Side closest to you, just under the front lip...fitment for wooden swabbing stick.

Far left of case, at bottom...two drilled holes. The one with a wooden keeper is for a spare gas plug, the other one's purpose escapes me right now, but I think I've got reference material for it.

Just to the right of the above, still at floor level, bevelled cut-out area was for the Lensatic Sight, used only on the Mk 1, but still retained for Mk11,etc, use.

On inside of lid, holes in both padded "holding gun in place thingies", and two leather straps contained a metal cleaning rod.

BTW, this item is/was commonly referred to as a Chest.

How's this for starters?

Regards from an ol' Bren gunner.

[japes]

How's that for starters? What else is there , that sounds like just about everything. Thanks very much. Now I have to start finding all the bits and pieces to complete it. Another question since we're on the topic, why did they paint the inside of the chests orange? The Canadian case isn't this way but the other chests are. A friend who has researched Ross rifle chests found that they too were painted orange so it sounds like it was a standard practise. Thanks again.

J.P.

[Doug Lavoie]

Japes,
I have a Bren gun Chest for my 1944 Mk11 Ingklis Bren gun. It has the ropes, and a rib that runs around the out side curcumference of the box, half way up it. It must have been to give added protection to the box. It is in the old, origional colors. I traded one of my 4t boxes for it, a couple of years ago.
Doug

[derk derin]

I have an original tag pasted on the inside lid of my bren chest which says;

Chest . . . Bren 1.
containing-
Guns M.G. Bren 1.
Serial No. _______
Barrels spare 1.
Serial No._______
Rods cleaning 1.
Slings web 1.
Springs return 1.
Rods cleaning gas cyl. 1.
Tools cleaning gas reg. 1.
Cans oil 1.
Clips bipod 1.
Tools combination 1.
Barrels rod cleaning
gas cylinder 1.
Brushes wire 1.
Mops 1.
Wallets spare parts 1.
Boxes spare parts 1.
containing
Springs pin firing 3.
Pins firing 1.
Springs stay extractor 1.
Springs plunger post
piston 2.
Stay extractor 1.
Extractor 1.
Plugs clearing 1.

Pullthroughs 1. (handwritten in)

This tag was typewriter made and is very oily but still readable.
Derk.

[Doug Lavoie]

Derk,
Any chance of a picture of the tag and it`s dimensions? I have to check inside mine and see if there is one!
Thanks,
Doug

[derk derin]

Hi Doug,
I wish I knew how to post pictures but haven't been able to figure it out yet as everyone found out when I tried to post pictures of my Ford 3 ton! I am hoping my sister and brother in law can sit down and show me soon, as I have alot of pictures I want to post.As soon as I am able to figure out how,I will post a picture of the tag.As I said,it was soaked in oil and not sure it will show up clear in the photo but it was probably done by the local unit that had the bren.The tag is just a piece of thick paper 3'' wide and 6 3/8'' long and the information was entered by typewriter with black ink.The serial number of the bren and barrel were handwritten in as well as the last entry at the bottom of the list ''pullthrough 1.'' which must have been added after the lists were made up.I have all 3 chests,The Mk1,Mk1* and the Mk2 but the tag was only on one of the lids.My Mk 1 chest has the web strap for the handle as well as my Mk 2 but my Mk 1* had the rope handles.None of them were painted orange inside but my vickers chest is orange as well as my sten crate that held 20 stens.
Derk.

[KEV]

Derk
Is your Bren chest contents list dated ?
I'm very interested to see it has - Clips bipod 1 ,in the list


I would also very much appreciate a picture if possible.

Thanks in advance,Kevin