Robski

Greetings Recently bought this 1942 Inglis Bren MKIm Dewat and I have a few questions for the community. It has a MKII Stock, Barrel and Magazine presently, but I would like to know how the Canadian Army version of the Inglis would have been outfitted when put into service. Everything has the "JI" stamp on it. Receiver is 1T.5033 and has the Canadian "C" Broad arrow and the DPC crossed flags proof mark. Also has a cartouche of what looks like a broad arrow/'C" and 43 in it (see below). Lastly, a big '42 stamp. Barrel is 6T.2343 and is stamped 43 with a poorly done double DPC crossed flags proof mark as well as an "L" and "JI". What could be a smaller "C" broad arrow stamp also appears. Bi-pod is what I understand to be a Canadian MK3 non-adjustable unit stamped "JI". Both legs move together. From the limited info I can find on the Canadian Bren's these were standard on the MKIm for the Canadian Army. Thoughts? Were these issued with a sling originally? What style / type was issued in this case? Finally will that sling work on the current configuration with the MKII stock? Overall, this Bren is in great shape but I would consider swapping the Buttstock for a MKI unit (If I ever find one of course). The barrel is welded in so it is permanent. This thing is cool as hell and I enjoy looking at it (in front of my TV) haha. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Best Regards Rob

I feel a bit foolish. There are subtle English London Commercial Proof marks on the Right side of the barrel that looked like scratches. They are almost identical to the ones on Page 115 of Great Britain - the Tommy Gun Story. The write up says these were Post Military service. The '900' is a bit messed up but the '45' and the '7 Tons' are nice and clear. There is also a stamp that is MP with a line below it and '36' or '86' below that. The London Proof mark on the receiver described earlier is on the Right side also. I am wondering if this might have been a Home Guard weapon? The absence of the Broad Arrow mark and other British Military marks is curious. Best Regards Rob

Here is the link. Found it on the NRA museum site. http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf Cheers Rob

Agreed But that is a pretty convincing London Proof mark. Cheers Rob

Hello Thanks for all of the great information. I knew the Canadian origin was a long shot but a British one is great too. This Dewat is surgically done with the only changes visible is the bolt welded to the receiver in the Mag well and the trigger welded to the frame. All moving parts are locked internally (selector and safety). Mag release still works. At another Gun auction they quoted about $300cdn to get a Thompson Dewatted (there were two originals in the auction ). Here is the Frame AO Serial number. I will start to gather the relevant books. For now I can run around my house going "Buda-buda-buda". Best Regards Rob

Greetings All I just bought this Dewat Thompson 1928A1 at a local auction up here in Canada and I couldn't be happier. Indeed it is one of the coolest weapons ever made. The receiver has Savage 186411 stamped on it and has a mismatched trigger mechanism stamped AO 7211. It has the usual proof stamps on the left side including the GEG and RLB as well as the little flaming bomb stamp. There is a "TOMMY GUN" stamp on the top also. It also has a small proof mark on the Right side of the receiver near the barrel (Included a blow up photo below). It looks to be a Crown with a monogram below it?? The sling is stamped NoBuckl and has a Patent date 7-21-14. Also included is a pistol grip style fore grip and an oil can in the stock. Mag looks modern and is unmarked. 1) My big question is could this be part of the Canadian Army Contract? From my limited research it appears that most contract Thompsons didn't have Canadian Proofs. 2) Besides the mismatched serial numbers are there any glaring problems with the originality of this weapon? Which fore grip would it have been issued with? Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Best Regards Rob