pitfighter Posted June 30, 2023 Report Share Posted June 30, 2023 (edited) I bought these kits when the going was good and they sat languishing, I realized they are suddenly enjoying their time (they are getting more expensive and desirable.) So I snapped up some receiver chunks from BRP. Two mag carriers fell into my lap at Sturmgewehr.com , the canvas barrels came from Ebay I think along with the tools in a large lot from Australia, that took some time to arrive. I had Sean Prasky build the guns, this took a very long time as I guess the strikers have become difficult to locate now, anyway, they're not beautiful, but they run and go bang. I qualified on the .303 Bren as a cadet in the UK about a thousand years ago (1980's, yes the L4 (7.62x51mm) was being used by the regular army at that time, but snot nosed cadets were using No.4 Lee Enfield and .303 Bren Guns), so these brought back memories and they are just fun to shoot. The toughest part was finding ammo, and then... ...I walked into a local gun store and discovered they had a huge stock of modern .303 at about $ a round, so I stocked up, and can now see off an invasion of Square headed Waffen SS or black painted steel plates at my leisure. 1. 12 X magazine chests - one chest contains unused mags still in grease paper. 2. 2 X first pattern Fairbairn Sykes daggers 1941 - more valuable than the two Bren guns. 3. Winchester WW2 .303 - I have read this Winchester ammo was very un reliable. 4. The Bren Gun Saga book - a really good read, technical and anecdotal. 5. 2 X Canvas spare barrel carriers, with spare barrels and cleaning tools, parts., etc. (The barrels are individually head-spaced so I doubt these spare barrels will ever work with my rifles, but they are fun accessories.) 6. Royal Marines Commando beret. (not mine.) Edited June 30, 2023 by pitfighter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEXgunparts Posted June 30, 2023 Report Share Posted June 30, 2023 AH, the BREN LMG, every British schoolboy dreamed of having one of these! The WW2 comics had many pages loaded with action featuring the BREN gun. Lots of history in those two firearms! I am sure you enjoy having them. In case you need more slings, barrels, tools, spent brass catchers, canvas carriers, tool rolls or gun covers, here is the link to the category on our web site. BREN LMG category I wish I had those first pattern Fairbain daggers! Mine are the later issue ones. Richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2023 (edited) Thank you Richard, I have Apex stickers all around my gun desk, and I believe plenty of my Bren parts (L1A1, MP5) came from your company too, my apologies for leaving you out of the original post. Always, excellent service, turnaround and prices, highly recommended. I love the First Pattern FS dagger, the others patterns do accumulate while you hunt for the First Patterns, but they are the special ones IMO. Thank you, Jesse I believe some my L1A1 (flash-hider) parts came from you, or parts for the MP5 MP5 (trigger grip parts) or both. Edited July 2, 2023 by pitfighter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted July 3, 2023 Report Share Posted July 3, 2023 Nice! When I was hunting mag chests, I actually offered more for one that was not in cosmoline, since that is a project of hours if you ever need to clean them! I have a complete MK1 tripod for sale on sturm should you feel the need? I have a case of that Canadian Winchester 303, but have not given it a shot yet? Sure does look nice though. The two Bren gun saga books are great, but dated. Supposedly there was an update in the works, but I have not heard anything for quite some time? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2023 Cheers Johnsonlmg41, Hah, indeed I appreciate the dislike of cosmo - these mags are not in cosmo, just unused, like new and in wax paper, I shot one, so they are no longer unused, hah. I just won another Bren Mag Crate (my third one) on GB for under $200.00 - As I literally only use a max of four mags at the range, it is all in preparation for the impending North Korean attack on the suburban US mainland, I am ready to do my part. I love the Winchester .303 boxes, but a quick search on line and I gather it was unreliable at best and dangerous at worst. The English troops did not dig it. I didn't know there were more versions of The Bren Gun saga book, this one was expensive enough and I am only a beginner stage nerd. But I liked it and the read was interesting, though a bit dry. Happy Fourth Guys - ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEXgunparts Posted July 3, 2023 Report Share Posted July 3, 2023 Here is a unique bit of WW2 Winchester 303 history. 303 pressure test barrel It will be relisted on E-Bay shortly. Richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BPinFL Posted July 4, 2023 Report Share Posted July 4, 2023 Welcome to the Bren world! I recommend the brass catcher. When shooting my FA MKII from the bipod the downward ejected brass is very hot and will burn your arms for sure. Also easier to collect your empties. Also, a Bren Drum is really cool. It speeds up the ROF compared to magazines. The greek .303 runs best for me. Good Luck, BP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2023 7 hours ago, BPinFL said: Welcome to the Bren world! I recommend the brass catcher. When shooting my FA MKII from the bipod the downward ejected brass is very hot and will burn your arms for sure. Also easier to collect your empties. Also, a Bren Drum is really cool. It speeds up the ROF compared to magazines. The greek .303 runs best for me. Good Luck, BP Thank you, indeed there are quite a few more interesting Bren items to collect, including a tripod. Feel free to post your Brno + Enfield, or ZB pictures here folks, would love to see the other Brens, Bren variants and accessories out there. I had a ZB26 adapted to BFONG when I started out, we never could get it to cycle right and no one ever rented it (it went out on one music video), so I traded it for work on another project. Of course I miss it now, and have tried to trade it back, lol. ZB in music video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted July 8, 2023 Report Share Posted July 8, 2023 (edited) An early double dovetail Bren. Edited June 29, 2025 by johnsonlmg41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2023 That is a great set up you have there, Johnsonlmg41! How did you determine the markings were incorrect or correct for your Bren, via markings on the mags, or the mag chest? I agree on the book prices, however, we're in the minority now, as the act of buying a book is an anathema to this new generation. I love my book collection, regularly inherit books people "can't give away." Interesting times. The music video guys are fine, they're all just working hard making a living, they know they're playing a game for the most part, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted July 9, 2023 Report Share Posted July 9, 2023 (edited) A lot of the time between the books, the net, and other collectors you still can't find an answer on certain parts/ guns/ accessories that are obscure? Edited June 29, 2025 by johnsonlmg41 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 13, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2025 On 7/3/2023 at 1:31 AM, johnsonlmg41 said: Nice! I have a complete MK1 tripod for sale on sturm should you feel the need? I am actually looking for a tripod. I didnlt even read or digest your comment, not sure how I missed it. I was circling the one(s) that Saracen has in the UK - But if you have one for sale, I wouldn't have to have that really heavy, suspicious looking luggage situation again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APEXgunparts Posted July 14, 2025 Report Share Posted July 14, 2025 APEX Gun Parts has a couple of BREN tripods in stock. They are located in Colorado Springs and we are happy to ship you one, or you can pick it up at our office. Richard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted July 14, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2025 15 hours ago, APEXgunparts said: APEX Gun Parts has a couple of BREN tripods in stock. They are located in Colorado Springs and we are happy to ship you one, or you can pick it up at our office. Richard Will have to wait until I'm back in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted July 19, 2025 Report Share Posted July 19, 2025 Yes, I have the one available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted October 13, 2025 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2025 (edited) Snagged a tripod (that was apparently in Rhodesia) from Gunboards - I should visit this site more often. I will PM you, I do have a second Bren, lol! Edited December 4, 2025 by pitfighter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfighter Posted December 4, 2025 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2025 (edited) Some pictures of my Brens with the new "old" tripod. The Tripod is "B" BSA marked like my MKI 1941 era - which is also almost all "B" marked, too. But 1943 dated. The MKII is a frankenstein - but fun. Edited December 4, 2025 by pitfighter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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