Bren guns, anyone?

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Originally posted by Steve Guthrie
When these guns were issued, was a spare included?

If so, was it always kept as a 'spare' or were the two barrels rotated ?

I guess SOP with all armies were:

1. Two barrels issued with each gun
2. Barrels rotated after firing max 200 rounds
3. Chests only used when stored or transported

Myself I had as a L/Cpl a 6,5 mm m/21 (top picture) in 1960. This is a modified US Army M 1918. My gun was made by Colt Firearms Inc; Hartford, Conn 1918 (One of the 500 bought from USA together with the license rights). In 1963 my unit instead got m/37 (lower picture) but by then I was Quartermaster Sergeant and not a LMG gunner.