M3A1 AOP Scout Car gallows Bren gun mount

[Big D]

Hi all,

I am in the process of fabricating the gallows Bren gun mount for my M3A1 AOP Scout Car. I am hoping to get some measurements of the mount from another AOP owner but I have questions about how this mount on the AOP actually works.

I haven’t seen one of these mounts in the flesh and I am curious about how the Bren is fitted to it.

I’ve attached photographs of the gallows mount. I see it has some sort of cable arrangement on the mount with what appears to be a handle on the end of the cable. The bent part of the mount appears to have a cutaway in it so I presume the cable runs through the pipe part of the mount?

How is the cable attached to the Bren? I am familiar with the Bren but can’t see how the Bren is attached to this.

Can anyone enlighten me or send me some detailed photographs please?

[matilda IIA]

I have a few of these mounts that are made into the sun shade frame on a modified Matilda dozer, I can take some close up photos if you like. the cable travels down the tube to a weight via a couple of pulleys.
Kind Regards

[motto]

There is a weight inside the vertical part of the tube. The cable is attached to this weight and comes out of the tube at the top of the bend and around a pulley. It runs across to another pulley on the end of the horizontal section of tube then down to a cradle which the gun sits in.
I have not seen a gun mounted so cannot tell you exactly how or where the cradle locates but from memory it consists of a bar with a 'U' shaped hook at each end as though the barrel of the gun could sit in it.

David

[motto]

I think you can see the shadow cast by the cradle in the middle picture. It looks like two loops.

David

[Big D]

Hi Matt and Dave,

Thanks for the replies. That makes sense now with what you are saying. I'm guessing the weight is a piece the inner diameter of the outer pipe? Does this counter-balance the weight of the Bren?

That is, is there some sort of locking arrangement for the cable or does it just work solely off the weight at either end?

Matt - if you can post some close up photos, that would be appreciated please. That will allow me to get my head around it a bit more.

[lynx42]

Darryl, It works on the same system as the old sash windows. You might even be able to find a sash weight the right size to balance the Bren.

Regards Rick.

[Mrs Vampire]

I have mine down at the sand blaster now and will pick it up later today. Happy to measure and get any details you need .

I will post some photos but maybe pvt e-mail for bigger more detailed photos if you want.

lets know .