Bren Transit Case

[japes]

We (some of the 519 guys)recently came in possession of a number of Bren transit cases. Apparently they came out of Greece at some point. When I started looking a little closer at mine, much to my surprise and delight...a C broad arrow stamped on the side. Would anyone have and be willing to post a pic or schematic of the contents of these cases? There are all kinds of little brackets etc in the case that must have a purpose, figuring them all out will now be the challenge. Thanks.

J.P.

Also from the home of the Ford CMP

[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

[Doug Lavoie]

Derk,
Just checked the inside of my transit chest, it is painted orange!
Doug

[derk derin]

Hi Kevin,
The clips,bipod listing baffled me when I read it because I did not know what they meant by it.You have a sketch of this clip that I have never seen before.My list had no date on it nor was it an official form that was filled out but looks like it was locally typed out by whatever unit had the bren on it's supply and glued to the inside lid of the chest.The only thing I can tell you is that it was in the chest for the bren Mk1*.What can you tell me about this clip?I have taken pictures of the chest,it's contents and the list but will have to go to the brother-in-law's tomorrow for lesson #2 in how to download pictures from a digital camera to the computer!I will post the pictures then.
Derk.

[KEV]

Hi Derk
The clip was designed at Enfield in 1938 for use on/in AFV's but could have been used on any mounting.



I pressume to make sure that even though the bipod legs may have been folded that there was no way they could fall down and foul on anything under battle conditions.



The one I have in the pics just happens to be Canadian.



Look forward to your pictures.
Kevin

[derk derin]

I am slow in responding with the picture but trying to learn to post pictures by myself has not gone well.I have tried this many times and failed.The last time I tried,I shut the computer off with my fist! Now I have had a few weeks to cool off and will try this again.

[Jordan Baker]

Any idea on whereabouts I could get one of those clips.

[Stewart Loy]

Jordan,

I have a bren transit box for you in my garage.


Stewart

[derk derin]

Here is a shot of my transit case with the items placed in there cubby holes.The only spot I don't know what goes there is in the middle section,there is a square area with 2 strips of wood screwed to the bottom and a strip of wood screwed to the front section of the box that hinges sideways to hold the item in place securely.The square area measures 3 1/4'' x 3 1/4'' x 3 1/4'' high.Any ideas?






Here are all 3 boxes,the bottom box is a MK 2 which is 1'' longer than the MK 1 boxes to compensate for the longer butt stock strap of the MK 2.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Not nearly as exciting, but I have sets of that hardware (hinges, hasps and keepers) for sale. $25 a set in Canada. I don't know what the sweet young lady at the Canada Post counter would exact from my hide for shipping overseas?

[peter simundson]

...is there a Bren Case in your garage for me?? Would have E mailed you sooner but I tripped over the pile of Bren Tripods in the Garage and sprained my wrist when I hit the 3" mortar. Nothing serious.

Peter Simundson

[Stewart Loy]

... that you would even ask!

Of course there is.

Can you wait for the show in Acton, or shall I bring it to you in 'the Big Smoke'?


Stewart

[peter simundson]

...I take back all those bad things I said.

I have some 3" motar pams. You should be the proud owner of one.
Canadian 1940 with excellent foldouts on martar and bombs.
Say the word and I will mail you one.

See you in March for sure.

Peter S.

[KEV]

Derk,many thanks for the picture of the contents.

The middle compartment held the grease tin.

All the best Kevin

[Stewart Loy]

Originally Posted by peter simundson

...I take back all those bad things I said.

I have some 3" motar pams. You should be the proud owner of one.
Canadian 1940 with excellent foldouts on martar and bombs.
Say the word and I will mail you one.

See you in March for sure.

Peter S.

Peter,

I think that I may have missed my chance to get a mortar , so I will pass on a pamphlet.

I look forward to seeing you and the CMP gang in Acton.


Stewart

[derk derin]

Peter,
If Stewart is not interested in that 3'' mortar manual,I would like to buy it as I do not have that manual for my mortar.I have a copy of a 1939 3'' mortar manual and an original 1943 manual but Don't have the one you have.Please let me know.Thanks,
Derk.

[derk derin]

Hi Kevin,
Would you have a picture to post on what oil bottle I need to find so I know what to look for,thanks.Are all my items in the proper places in my chest or have I got anything wrong?
Derk.

[derk derin]

I mean grease tin,not oil bottle! (damn diesel fumes)

[SteveF]

Holy crap Derk.... that is an impressive set up you have there. Any chance of some photos of the whole room? Or rooms, or bunker, or whatever you got going on there. Guess I'll have to make my way back to Manitoba one of these days as apparently that's where all the good stuff is.

Cheers from Edmonton. Steve

[Jordan Baker]

Im almost done re-finishing my Bren Transit box. The paint job was in pretty bad shape when I got it. I stripped it down to the wood and then primed it with the red-oxide stain. I mixed tremclad primer with Lynseed oil and turpentine. Painted on a few coats and let that dry off for a couple of weeks. All the metal bits that could be removed were taken off and sandblasted and primed. I found a paint chip at Home Depot that was very close to the original layer and had a quart mixed up. I most recently added the back piece of canvas as the original was completly shot.

Anyway enjoy the picture.

[Ralph Volkert]

Will be restoring my own original Bren transit chest once it arrives. Are the boxes and interior bits made of hardwood or softwood?

The thick felt padding used in these boxes and grenade cases where can you source that? I have used felt boot insoles in a pinch.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Ralph Volkert

Will be restoring my own original Bren transit chest once it arrives. Are the boxes and interior bits made of hardwood or softwood?

The thick felt padding used in these boxes and grenade cases where can you source that? I have used felt boot insoles in a pinch.

The British 'draw-rings' for the No.15 Sniper Rifle Chest specify what we colonials call spruce, pine or fir. Not hardwood. There are copies of the drawings on the Military Surplus Collector's Forum. Yes, the wood does seem to weather out to look like oak, but it is coniferous and softwood. There is a note on the drawings about the thickness and weight of the felt too.