canadian carrier mk1 gun rest

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Sam Tremblay

hi im starting to reuild a canadian bren carrier mk1 i was just wondering if somebody have the measurment for the gunrest also the type of steel and wood . . .

Greetings Sam!
The eight (8) firing rests on your early MK-I* carrier were topped with rubber, the rubber being cast into a shallow metal base, then mounted on angle iron supports. The length of each firing rest is indicated in the Canadian Illustrated Parts Manual, FUC-03.

The metal angle iron supports and their fastener placements will be a challenge for you, that I do not believe have been previously covered in MLU. Perhaps someone can fresh my memory if Nigel Watson in his UC Volumes I-III provided any details?

[Lynn Eades]

I think I have all the rubber rests but not the angle iron for all of them. They are made from 2 x 1/8 (50 x 3mm is the available size,here)
Are they all mounted on the outside or inside of the hull or is it a mix?
As a note, i think all the U.C.s that came here were early and had rubber rests. never seen a wooden one here.
The other thing I have trouble with is the high and low ones.Were the high ones from British carriers and the low ones for Canadian carriers. Michael R. has told me there are both in Canada. I wondered if the high ones might have been made for British contract carriers? Any thoughts or answers?

[Lynn Eades]

Ok. Working on answering my own question:
There are two on the rear plate. Two on the right side. Two on the div plate, One in the gunners slot, and one on the engine deck.
The right side ones have the angle iron riveted to the inside. (there are rivets still in the angle iron and the holes in the upper hull side plate are countersunk on the outside (rivet head fits here)) It makes sense that the rear ones are the same. Am I on track?

Sam I can probably answer your questions.

[Kirk Armitage]

Nice to see another early example, 6 1941 does the serial number start with T L ? F
Regards K Armitage

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Kirk Armitage

Nice to see another early example, 6 1941 does the serial number start with T L ? F . . . . (edited)

Certainly an example of an early data plate attached to its original fender. Now to verify the fender and data plate belong to the hull, using the identifiers particular to those carriers. There are a few visual indicators that point to an early production carrier, such as the correct track adjuster wheel arms, mounting bracket for the early track adjuster ‘crook’, and the lack of a modification to install the sighting vane.

The data plate does not appear to hold the TL XXXX F one may anticipate seeing. Perhaps the 1790 serial number, in addition to the month/year window.

I agree with you, Kirk: it is nice to see these early examples. I am jealous, and Samuel already knows that from our discussions on his FB UC group.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Aren't you glad we met on Facebook? And that fellow Bob, great resource!

Next trip I take to the Townships, I will do my best to coordinate a visit to see your handiwork.

[Sam Tremblay]

the serial number 1s only 1790

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Sam Tremblay

the serial number 1s only 1790

That is swell!

The firing support for the gunner apeture remained a rubber/composite material throughout the MK-I* production series where so equipped. For example, the factory production mortar carriers built on MK-I* hulls deleted this firing rest. The thickness changed through the applicable part numbers, TL 13009, TL 13009C and TL 13009B, in that numerical/alpha replacement order.

The two firing rests on the rear protection plate were mounted on the exterior of the plate, facing rearward. (provides clearance for the rear passenger when seated against his backrest).

The two firing rests on the driver side, long protection plate, rear compartment were mounted on the interior of the plate, facing inside the hull.

The image of a 1943 production C01UC MK-I* shows the major portions of eight firing rests. Image credit of Ditsong Museum, Joburg, SA.

CTL 13003D Divisonal plate, Right Hand: 16”
CTL 13004C Divisonal plate, Left Hand: 51”
CTL 13005D Side Plate Front: 14”
CTL 13006C Side Plate Rear: 26.5”
CTL 13008C Engine Cover: 22”
CTL 13009B Gunner Loophole: 5”
CTL 13010C Rear Plate, Right Hand: 11”
CTL 13011C Rear Plate, Left Hand: 10.5”


As mentioned earlier, these measurements are published in the Illustrated Parts Manual, FUC-03.
The firing rest measurements may assist with making the necessary firing rest supports, but you will need detailed measurements of the firing rest support angles, engine support bracket and loophole assembly to produce the entire assemblies.

See also two images showing the gunner loophole rest in the two Canadian produced variations showing the change in the height.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Sam

Now that you see the correct parts, you have a difficult decision to make. Do you work on locating these perishable parts which haven't been made since the 1940s? Do you attempt to make replica parts from modern rubber? Or, my advice would be, make replica parts from hardwood.

You need to keep momentum on your project. Every restoration is a series of compromises. If you can accept a visual simulation of small parts, you can always come back (or a later owner) can come back and continue the restoration to a higher standard.

Bonne chance!