Bren gun loader

Ralph Volkert · #1 19-09-11, 19:59

Well I finally found a Bren Gun magazine Loader to go in the stowage box on top of my Battery Box!

Does any one have a picture of inside the box to show how the loader is secured? It cant just rattle around!

Ralph Volkert · #2 19-09-11, 20:08

Oops here is the picture!

kevin powles · #3 19-09-11, 21:39

Hi, Here is my mag box with original 'one piece' rubber liner, held in with split rivets, one piece being if you were to remove it from the box it would form a 'cross' when layed flat with the corners scored but not cut right through to form the bend.

To get the lid shut you may well have to grind the feet a little of the loader, I know two other people who had to do the same.

kev.

Ralph Volkert · #4 19-09-11, 22:18

Kevin That's great! Thanks! Are the rivets copper or brass?

kevin powles · #5 19-09-11, 23:46

Hi, The original split rivets were steel as they rusted out and stained the rubber,I used copper, cant remember the length but enough to go through the steel box and rubber with about 3 to 4 mm splayed out each side. Rivet diameter to suit the holes.

Used copper as mild steel ones are rare.

kevin.

rob love · #6 20-09-11, 17:29

I have seen variations to the loaders: some you have to grind the feet and some fit right in.

The loaders seem to have become more common in the last few years....hard to say why. Likely just the power of the internet and it's search engines.

nigel ward · #7 21-09-11, 14:56

If anyone has a spare one of those boxes for the loader I'd be interested.
Sell, swap. I'm in the market. I have a few spare bits of things kicking around to swap.
Ps Sorry for hijacking the thread for my own needs.
Nigel

horsa · #8 21-09-11, 15:52

A lot of loaders appeared on the market starting around five years ago. But the majority of them were actually Czechoslovak ZB magazine loaders. The Weapon and most of the special combination tools and the loader were essentially copied for the Bren designs. Places like IMA and Sportsman’s Guide had tons of ZB parts kits with the tools and loaders available until fairly recently.

The Czech version will have a small circle mark with a "Z" in the middle.

IMA still shows to have the loaders in stock for $29.95 with a teaser that some have Nazi WaffenAmt inspectors markings. A real bargain if you need one to fill a box. Not sure if the ZB loader will accept Bren magazines or not for actual use. The last pattern ZB had curved magazines that looked identical to the Bren pattern but earlier designs were straight due to using a different cartridge.

Link below for the IMA version:

http://www.ima-usa.com/zb-magazine-loader.html

Marc van Aalderen · #9 21-09-11, 23:20

I was told by a dealer that the Bren loaders came from the Irish police force. They dumped some 5000 Brens with accessories.
I don't think a Czech loader will accept the rimmed .303 cartridge as these are for the 8x57 German round. But I only have a .303 loader so can not test this.

Cheers,

horsa · #10 21-09-11, 23:29

Figure either way its cheap if someone only needs one for display with their carrier.

I've got a wartime British version but still prefer to use my Number 1 Mark I Thumb loader for filling magazines. Much faster and less to mess with at the shooting range when we take the Bren out.

Ralph Volkert · #11 06-10-11, 15:24

Nigel I bought the loader box from John at midwestmilitary.net
It is a reproduction but it is top quality!
This part wasnt listed on his webage anymore but he either had some still in storage or had the pattern from his last run and can make one up. The price was very reasonable.