Bren Carrier in a Crate

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by andrew honychurch

Years ago, well about 1978 to be approximate, I often heard of a few crated new Carriers in crates. In fact, I did know where there was one, at Crook Brothers near Preston where I bought a Half Track from. I seem to recall that when that was sold, the owner made a video/cine film of the cracking open of the crate. Now that would be a seriously great movie to get on here or Utube. Can anyone recall this? What about other brand new Brens, does anyone have one out of a box?

Andrew,

I knew of one out of a crate, in Sussex, the owner used to bring it out on occasions, last I saw of it was on a RBL Parade at Cranbrook, it was still as it left the factory, with the maple leaf transfers on the side......sadly it broke down with a duff coil.

[pzrwest]

Many many years ago there was an army surplus store in Toronto Ontario called Hurcules, that had jeeps and harley davidson and tryumph motor cycles brand new in crates. You could buy one for 495$cdn. They still had the original packing grease on them.... if one only knew.... what they would be worth today!

[peter simundson]

...their bike shop was on Wellesly just east of Yonge. Just bikes no vehicles.
Nortons were $99. We bought one used for $75. Harleys were $199.
But don't forget that was 6 weeks take home. Some Harley's were very low mileage.
They had 15 cwt's and jeeps out on Dundas St. near Runnymede and later
Triumph TRW's at their other Dundas St. location.
No. 1 Mk. 3 curved guard bayonets were $2.50, .303's were $9.99.
38 sets $10.

You're right..the good old days.

[pzrwest]

King Sols had enfields and mausers all mint condition with matching numbers for 29.95cdn. They came with bayonets and slings. They had them standing in wooden barrels

[martyn]

Hi there is one that i know of still in its box its in a very poor state.
its at jacksons the old rocket site there on milweb i asked if it was for sale and got a very short and sharp NO.
cheers martyn

[andrew honychurch]

come to think of it, I recall them having one. They would have bought it at the same auctions that the Crook Brothers bought theirs I assume. Like all things, by the end of the war the war machine was churning out paraphernalia at a rate of knots much to be left unused. I recall my father having sales catologues for crated Spitfires for something like £800. A story he loves to regale to me. However, one forgets that £800 back then was a serious ammount of money. Anyway, I wouldnt mind guessing that there are one or two carriers in crates still left. I do know where there is a delivery mileage Windsor. Sitting in a shed, its actually in gloss green but has 87 miles , from recollection on the clock and has its full tilt still erected. The man will not sell but he wont ever do anything with it either, so rest assured it will appear one day. I am monitoring it.

[RichardT10829]

people like that frustrate the hell outa me, like the crated item by the time those guys want to let go (of their nest egg) it will be totally rusted out and worth a whole bunch less... reminds me of the spoilt kid back at school "Its my ball and you cant play with it" hehehehehe.

i have heard of a pair of spitfires buried in a concrete box here in Northumberland not far from an airfield...similar stories all around the UK it may seem. might have to do a bit diggin......now that would be a nest egg and a half.