Clip, Rifle, Double - Dimensions

[Ron Pier]

In Nigel's books VOL1, on pages 101&102 are drawings which show that bracket. Skip says the rifles are stowed vertically with the muzzles in that bracket. I'm having trouble visualising this? How are the butt ends stowed? Ron

[derk derin]

The weapons mount hold a spare Bren gun and a spare service rifle. On the floor in front of the battery is a double gun butt holder where the butts fit into. The muzzle ends of the weapons fit into the top clips. Originally they were rubber straps that secured the weapons in but as they failed the web straps were fitted to the mount.
Here is the top part of the mount shown on my carrier;
What I would like to know is if there was anything intended to be stowed in the tray. I have a spare Bren mag sitting in it but curious if it was an actual spot for a specific piece of equipment?

[Ron Pier]

I get it now! Ron

[Skip Inge]

Somewhere in the Carrier Forum I have seen a photo (can't find it right now) where someone suggested that the tray portion of this upper bracket is sized well for 50 round boxes of .303 ammunition. This seems ok, but perhaps not a great place to store cardboard boxes as they are exposed to the elements, especially rain. If anyone runs across that photo, please post it.

[derk derin]

If anything was stored in that tray it would have to be protected from the outside elements otherwise it wouldn’t last very long.
There was a metal bin that the .303 cartons of ammunition was stored in so I don’t think the tray would have held more.
I believe Rob heard reference of a part of the early 11 set radio was stored in that tray like an antenna mount or spares box. The fact that the 11 set was replaced early in its life for the installation of the 19 set meant the tray became redundant when this happened.
Does anybody have documents on the mounting of the 11 set in the Mk 1 carrier that could confirm this theory?
Derk

[kevin powles]

Watch this video, I don’t believe anything was officially designed to be stowed in there otherwise it would be shown in this video, it’s other use apart from supporting the rifles is to mount a radiator expansion tank below it.

https://youtu.be/-nTsnfEAjzI?si=x1xB_wcJ9Ea8NPPl

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by kevin powles

Watch this video, I don’t believe anything was officially designed to be stowed in there otherwise it would be shown in this video, it’s other use apart from supporting the rifles is to mount a radiator expansion tank below it.

the drawing shown is from Dr. Wm Gregg Profiles book, showing the Canadian factory production C21UCM, (Nov 1942/July 1943) with No. 4 rifle models that did not exist prior to 1941. What is particular about this stowage is the fact the Canadian factory C21UCM did not provide any Bren gun stowage whatsoever. No gunner loophole firing rest, no spare barrel bin, no spares wallet hooks, no Bren AA pole, no AA pole sockets. Due to the lifting jack being relocated over the steering cam cover, the vertical Bren gun stowage location formerly in that location was deleted, the redundant fastener holes in the radiator blanking plate were riveted closed.

The C21UCM crew of five were established to be armed with rifles, which required stowing one across the radiator air intake in the front compartment, another along the right side engine cover protection plate, the fifth in the former Bren gun ready position to the right side of the gunner loophole in the front compartment.

Factory installed CMP style radiator recovery tanks were redesigned to install under the double SA bracket on the C21UCM, as well as a small number of custom orders placed with the Canadian Ford factory.