Bruce, I have recently seen an early British U.C. with one of those long skinny clips on the rear deck under the battery box (been there for 74 years, I mean)

I'm thinking it is for the Boys bipod. Perhaps the one you saw was positioned to take the Birish 'T' version? Below I'll post pics of the Boys on its side. The monopod fits but would have to come off if you want access to the stowage locker. In Otter recce cars the bipod most certainly came off and there was a separate stowage bin for it. But in that case the Boys was to mount out the front and not be used on the ground. Carriers were designed for the lads to jump out once near the enemy and engage them like regular infantry.

I think we've got it.
 

Mounted on its right side and with and without accessories (just to see what you can get away with).

Stowage
 

Bruce, That looks good, how does the monopod sit attached to the gun but swivelled forward, which i think the connector allows you to do?. Did you try this?, if so can you still open the locker box?.

Kev.

They are such gorgeous rifles. It is only a matter of a week or so before my carrier is ready to hold her boys.

I know what you mean, and no I didn't try it but I don't see why it wouldn't work. There's lots of room forward of the swivel and the monopod does fold up quite a way between the carriage rails. My next challenge for tomorrow evening!!

Gorgeous and addictive. Once you want one you REALLY want one and with their scarcity (and price) that becomes almost painful!!

I found that the bipod removed from the carrier almost lines up with the clips on the rear. I may have been a bit off with my measurements when drilling the holes. Furthermore if you unscrew the bolt/screw that the bipod attaches/pivots from and keep it with the bipod that part fits nicely in the round bracket with the felt.

Pictures
 

Bruce, if you take a picture with the monopod folded that should complete the mystery. Also another member mentioned the wood spacers that go under the long locker box, we think they should be 1/2 " thick, this could influence the locker lid clearance when the Boys is stowed. The picture below shows original spacer in position.

In the Pre Universal Bren carrier they were stowed on their side (and in the other side of the carrier too)

Lynn, That's an interesting picture, I notice the shape if the jack, I have a wartime jack that shape, do you have any other pics of what that jack should look like?.

Kevin.

Hi Kevin, there are a few different types, Some alloy bodied, some steel, some are marked 4 ton while others are marked 4 1/2 ton. Britool is one brand name. they come with a handle, and a two piece rod. I suspect the early ones had a 1 piece rod. The bracket that fits these is the one that dictated the size of the block for the Canadian carriers Same bracket for both types)

Spacers, huh? Looks like I have more items to add to my 'to do' list. A half inch lift would not make much difference, the lid would still open.

Here's a shot of the monopod folded. No problem with the fit at all.

Mystery solved?

The spacers lifted the crew stowage locker up above the rivets along the left side of the vehicle. There should also be a spacer under the smoke generator bin and the open topped bin on the right side. I just worked out the spacer thickness for the open topped bin as 1.25"

Yeah I know off topic once again. ;)

12975
 

Chilwell indicates there is at least one wood bearer for the large kit locker, FUC-03 may indicate two (2) 'strips, bearing, wood' under the same part number(s).
As for the Inglis Canuck Boys bipod fitting the three factory stowage clips of the differential cover under the armoured wireless battery box, any suggestions?

With photo credit (3&4) thanks to Mr. Steve Tegner, Ditsong Museum, J'Burg, RSA

Michael, Have you a mk1 bren bipod with exstendable legs you can offer up aswell?.

Kevin.

Kevin, I think A Bren MkI with extendable legs on the bipod, has a MkII bipod on it.
The Mk I has fixed length legs, as I recall. I guess we shall find out.



Here is a pic to clarify where the third mount is, to support Michael R's post. The third mount is near the top center of the picture. It has a round tube with a rubber liner. Credit to the unknown photo owner(It could be me!)

Extendable legs on the Bren are from the early version, and are a direct lineage to the CZ parent guns. It was later that the feature was dropped as cost/time saving measure.

The bipods do not come off easily from a Bren, unless you take the ring with it that goes over the gas cylinder, in which case it won't fit into that little felt piece. I cannot imagine any reason that you would want to remove one.

I think some of the early monopods from the Boys was adjustable in length....I'll check out that avenue. Perhaps extended to the proper length it will fit these brackets.

Thanks Rob for the reality check. Apologies to Kevin.

Boys receivers.
 

Had a friend do so milling on the cast receivers. This week will assembly all the moving parts, it's been machined to almost take an original bolt. Will post some more pics up at the end of the week.

Assembly
 

Started assembling the gun, safety, bolt release, sight second paint tomorrow.

very nice indeed

Finished.
 

Assembled one of the rifles, just need to get some engraving done on the receiver after W&P.

Very nice Kevin.

Notable that here in Canada, if it was able to shoot there would be no problem in making one as long as you had a firearms license. However, if you made it just for display as a non shooting firearm, it would be a prohibited device. Make sense?

Thanks Rob, couldn't of done it without help from the guys on the forum, you know who you are......I need to get this weighed, a Boys Rifle is listed at 16.3 Kg, this has a part solid barrel so has to weigh nearer 18 Kg.

Kevin.

As for the weight, just pretend the mag is fully loaded. ;)

Looks good though.

Weight
 

Jordan, trouble is the mag is fully loaded as well with fired rounds, I will let the carrier do the transportation, hey any you guys got a spare rear sight?, need one for the other gun.

Cheers kev.

Boys collapsing cleaning rod
 

Gents, I managed to get a cleaning rod but the screw on partly knurled end piece is missing, has any one got one I can copy?.

Complete rod picture
 

Here is what the complete rod should look like.

Replica Boys Anti tank rifle
 

Finally finished the first Boys rifle on Father's Day, check out the YouTube link to full working action.

http://youtu.be/VvtJGbJN_wU

Safety catch applied :

http://youtu.be/dkn_DfunGdE