Mk1 bren carrier boxs

[Paul Dutton]

Originally Posted by kevin powles

Gents, anyone got details of the strap used?, I've an original tray it sits in and the strap guide at the back of it is to narrow to take the standard 1/2" utility strap. The bandolier stowage makes sense as 250 rounds would rattle around in there.

Paul, I made an offer on them and the guide accepted, he was only to happy to sell when he knew they were going back in a carrier - history preserved !

I messaged him and got no reply at all!!

[Jim Burrill]

The bottom of the angled tray has a strap "trap" underneath it. Measure the width of it and then the length by what it takes to wrap around the box in the tray and then add a couple of inches for "ease".

From memory, it is the same width as the Large Pack straps. I would cut and stitch 2 of those to give me the length and still have the factory brass tab and buckle already there.

Or, you can order the tan cotton webbing and salvage the tip and buckle from some dead bit of Mills webbing and use some brass eyelets to reset the tip.

[Lynn Eades]

Carrier straps were firstly leather and rubber, but soon became mostly webbing.
Some of the straps were very impractical. I think this is why active service carrier photos never seem to show tools on the board.

[charlie fitton]

[QUOTE=Lynn Eades;carrier photos never seem to show tools on the board.[/QUOTE]

Perhaps, as with the Kangaroos, the infantry kept stealing them..

[Lynn Eades]

Charlie, I have as new old stock, about 3 rubber straps with the part numbers.
They are for the pick handle. They are rubber with a canvas layer in the middle.
They bolt onto the channel shaped bracket, but if you try and thread them through the hole in the bracket, it is almost impossible to do.(with the handle in it) The same parts are used to locate the shovel.
Who ever designed and approved that set up, was working for the enemy.
This time, I couldn't blame the grunts (inf)

[kosbie]

sten gun slings are 3/4in, certainly fit John Bizal's repro trays and are cheap and plentiful (in the UK at least). If you cut to remove the barrel attachment hook they are plenty long enough and you are left with a buckle at the other end.
Kevin - if you need one I have several spare, ask me when you come over

Rick

[Michael R.]

The original British buckle and strap is identified in the Chilwell manual as 3/4" x 30".