Unusual gun mount??

[BCA]

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

[Niels V]

Could it be for a bren gun

[BCA]

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

[Lynn Eades]

It doubt it would be for the Bren gun.

[Tony Smith]

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?

[BCA]

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.

[Colin Alford]

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

[Colin Alford]

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

Here are the images:

[BCA]

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

[charlie fitton]

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