Bren gun 100 rd magazine box

[Chris Camfield]

Hi all,

First post and apologies because compared with restoring vehicles this is kid's stuff!

I decided to bring this home from the cottage this weekend. Earlier this year I got re-interested in WW2, started up scale modelling again, and doing a lot of reading. So far as I know, this box has been at the cottage since the original owners - who were vets - built it. Obviously it's a box for the 100 round AA magazines for the Bren. Original canvas straps and there are some pads still extant inside the box.

I washed it off a bit, but it seems that if I actually wanted to get off the bits of other paint which have collected over the years, I would probably just have to scrape back down (if that's advisable) and repaint. I assume these were painted in SCC 15 Olive Drab?

What do you guys use to match original WW2 paint?

But if I wanted to even consider this I would need a replacement stencil, which is probably beyond my ability to create. (Apartment dweller, no workshop... I don't even consider myself very handy.)



I can post more pictures if anyone would like.

[David Dunlop]

Hello Chris and Welcome!

In addition to the four 100 round drum magazines, this chest would have held the crank for winding the drums while loading, and a metal support plate the drums would have been mounted on during the loading process. I cannot recall if it also would have held the adapter for mounting these drums on top of the Bren Gun.

Personally, I think your find has survived rather well and I would be inclined to let it show its age gracefully.

If you had to go a repainted route, my personal choice would be to take the item in question to a local Home Depot, or equivalent, and have them scan the item to mix up a modern full flat or eggshell indoor/outdoor latex.

David

[Robin Craig]

The patina and wear are wonderful.

If saw that one and a shiny repainted one beside it I would take yours every time.

[Chris Camfield]

Well, fair enough then I do wish I could get the other bits of paint off...

I suppose this belongs in a separate thread, but I am also going to Library and Archives Canada every couple of months doing WW2 paint colour research, so if anyone wants something looked up, I would be happy to poke around a bit on your behalf.

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Chris and welcome. Because most interested people are like Robin (that's not always the case. Hi Robin ) you box is worth (considerably) more like it is, than if you spent money on it, repainting it. Just my unqualified opinion.
Paint for us guys is a challenging part of a restoration. There are those on this forum who have done massive amounts of work on researching the topic. There is plenty of room for you to be involved.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Of course once you have the box you need a few accessories to go with it.

I agree with the 'don't paint it' crowd. If there's paint splatters better to gently work them off with a hobby knife and a tiny bit of paint thinner.

[rob love]

Don't repaint it.......


also, this thread is now useless without photos of what is left inside your box. The vast majority of them are completely gutted as part of the re-purposing.
I have come across a number of the boxes which indicates there were a lot of these magazines floating around at some time. I suspect they all went to the smelter.

At one point, the magazines were worth more than the Bren. Maybe not anymore, but it is certainly a lot harder to find a drum magazine than a Bren.

[maple_leaf_eh]

It is your box, and yours to do with as you please. That said, as is is always preferable to refinished. If the kids and aunties have splashed pink or white house paint on it over the years, do you best to get rid of their handiwork without changing the underlying finish. Remember, there aren't any new Bren magazine chests being made anymore.

[T Creighton]

Hi Chris and welcome.
That is a nice looking box as it is. Can anyone explain how the drum magazine feeds the rounds in. I remember the Brens we had during compulsory military training in the 1950's had the banana shape magazines that slotted down from the top. They came in a box just like yours but I can't remember how many. The sergeant instructor would lay two alongside one another and then jump up and down because someone had mixed up the long and short magazines. (optical illusion) The Brens were great to fire and very accurate. Lying on the ground with bi-pod legs to steady we could usually get the 15 shots grouping withing a 3'' circle on the target.
Best regards, Terry

[Michael R.]

See:

http://mapleleafup.net/forums/showpo...56&postcount=2

Thanks to Lance.

[Chris Camfield]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

See:

http://mapleleafup.net/forums/showpo...56&postcount=2

Thanks to Lance.

Oh wow, so THAT is what it looked like originally! Thanks for the link! Well, sadly the only thing on the inside of mine are pads on the top and bottom - I'm not sure if those are original now or not.

Sadly, one of the canvas straps tore a bit today. Clearly they aren't in as good shape as I thought. But after I get it home - I'm posting this from the train - it shouldn't need to be moved around too much. Will post more pictures when I'm home.

[James P]

Do not paint, try very carefully to remove non original paint as much as possible and then colour match the original paint and with a small modelers brush go over anything that cannot be removed. It really looks fine as is.

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Of course once you have the box you need a few accessories to go with it.

Hi Bruce,

I see you have lost a leg. My bren tripod is set up with the .303 in place of the third leg as well. A lot of thought must have gone into the possibility of losing one or both of the parts to the third leg with this as the result. Smart thinking!

regards Rick.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Hi Bruce,

I see you have lost a leg. My bren tripod is set up with the .303 in place of the third leg as well. A lot of thought must have gone into the possibility of losing one or both of the parts to the third leg with this as the result. Smart thinking!

regards Rick.

Yes, I limp along missing a leg. But even so, you can't deny the rig looks way cooler with an SMLE filling in. Heck, I bet there was even an official drill movement to set it up. "Place, two three...clip, two three...stomp..."

[Chris Camfield]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the long delay before replying. Here finally are pictures of the inside of the box. Are these pads original? (I can't really tell from lssah2025's pictures) I am guessing the screw holes in the side are not!

There are some little wooden pegs fitting into holes in the bottom of the box. Were those part of the original interior framework?