Unusual gun mount??
 

This casting looks suspiciously like a gun cradle. No casting numbers. No moving parts except the removable pin. The other bolt looks like an anchor point. Any ideas? ... Brian

Could it be for a bren gun

Niels: not being a gun collector I do not have samples to try to fit the bracket.

It doubt it would be for the Bren gun.

Is there any retainer on the removable pin? It might not stay there if things are shaking around. What is the internal dimension across the opening for the removable pin?

Tony: good point about the pin. It does not have a way of retaining it (typically a spring-loaded ball etc). The width between the opening is 2-9/16". It is a 1/2" pin. The width between the 2 stubby tabs is 2-3/8". I carefully washed off all the preservative and found a casting mark "X-144". At this point I suspect it may be a manufacturing jig use to test fit parts.

Brian,

The X-144 number lead me to think that it might be a Ford Special Service Tool so I started having a look and I found it. It is part of a Spring Spreader. At some point prior to 6 Aug 1940, Wasco changed their tool numbering system. The Old tool number (for the complete tool) is X-144-FR while the new tool number is X-5560-A. I could not find it listed in MB-F1 as a service tool for the CMPs but it may have been used with some of the Modified Conventional Pattern Vehicles.

I have taken images and I intended to attach them but the "manage attachments" button is not working right now. Hopefully I can add the images soon.

Colin

Apparently a reboot was what I needed to solve my problem!

Here are the images:

Amazing! Thank you Colin. (I think I still would have preferred it to be a gun mount). .......... Brian

Fascinating.......but I have a problem with the manufacturers claim "with ease"

Isn't this forum great!, who would of thought it was used for that....well done!