English Bren Carrier for sale in Oz

[Eric Szalanda]

I am selling my English carrier to make way for another project. Another English carrier! It is a 3 inch mortar carrier, hull number T58471, built in 1941 by the Sentinel Wagon Company . It has been cut, and has not much internals, but I have new Bisalloy side plates cut and an original front sloping armour to add. It weighs 2.2 tonnes to move. I will add photos when I can.
It is located in Stratford, eastern Victoria ( Gippsland). I might have a couple of copies of manuals to go with it and ongoing tech support , as I will still have one to restore.
If not sold through this forum, it will probably end up on Epay.
Offers over $1500 considered, as it owes me that, especially for the bisalloy sides!
Please respond by email as I don't log on very often.

regards

[Tony Smith]

Hi, Eric, don't really mean to hijack your thread (*fingers crossed behind back, pants on fire*), but in this thread on T58482, I asked:

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Now comes the begging:

How many of these British built Carriers are getting about in Aust?

This is very close to your Carrier's WD No, and I wonder if a complete batch was ordered direct for Australia, or if it is just coincidental that these 2 were bought in the ME and shipped to Aust.

If only David Hayward and Nigel Watson could get their heads together on Contract Numbers!

[Lynn Eades]

I just re read your thread.
T58482 was one of batch of 360 3" mortar carriers, contract no.t2035. the serial number range was T58225 to T58584. yours being the 257th built, the builders being Sentinel Wagon.
This info is from page 290 of Nigel's book.
I enclose two mortar carrier plates. The first (Wolseley)belongs to a forum member from the deep south, and the second (Sentinel Wagon) is mine ( sadly,I own the plate only)

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

T58482 was one of batch of 360 3" mortar carriers, contract no.t2035. the serial number range was T58225 to T58584.

So were T58471 and -482 just a random 2 that went to Aust out of 360, or was the contract an Aust one?

T58482 looks to be "built as" a Universal carrier? Eric, would you have a pic of your carrier and it's plate?

[Bob Carriere]

...from my picture collection.... I touched the UC but it is not mine....

Strange plate....... can one read this serial number as the 3rd made in 1941 or is it March 1941........

BooB
...... not a UC expert!!!

[Lynn Eades]

Nigels book refers to 2000 Universal, Mk1 Carriers being allocated to Australia.
The numbers allocated were T75594 to T77593. This was contract no. A1071.
I doubt that orders always equalled deliveries, and maybe the balance of Australia's order was filled from a later contract. The fact that your carrier is badged as a universal, and it's T number is allocated to a Mortar carrier, is probably indicative of many such anomilies.
As it happens, there is very little difference between a Universal and a 3" Mortar. It's common to find carriers with holes for fittings from other models of carriers, which have been blanked by rivets. It would be easy to convert a Universal to a Mortar on the production line.
Back to your question,in short, I can't answer your question.
How about some photos of your carrier?

[Eric Szalanda]

I don't mean to be rude guys, but I am just trying to sell it.
The next owner can worry about the details.
I am in the middle of a family crisis, so please bear with me.

[Justin Pollard]

Hello Eric,I have sent a PM as i dont know where your email address is.
regards Justin.

[Lynn Eades]

If you click on Erics name (on one of his posts) it will give you some options. One of those options allows you to E mail him. ( He may respond quicker to the E mail)

[Justin Pollard]

Thanks for that Lynn,i clicked on his name but when i went to send email it said that i couldnt do it,so guess i,ll have to wait.
Cheers Justin.

[Eric Szalanda]

Here are some photos.

I think that I have the hang of this.

[Justin Pollard]

Hello All,Does anyone have a pic of one of these complete,that they can post up for me. so i can see what needs replacing etc.
Thank you.
Justin.

[sth65pac]

Justin,
Google British Bren Carrier for a picture. In google pictures. Your ability to complete a carrier is based on ability and time.... for 66+ years old, and asking price, it is not in bad shape.

Eric,
you know I would buy your carrier if I had the time. Its too hard to drive home

Ian

[Darren Witty]

Put it on EBAY!

[Lynn Eades]

As no one else has posted a pic,here's a bad repro of one from Ellis and Chamberlin's book "The British Carrier Story"

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Darren Witty

Put it on EBAY!

It's already sold! It has been border-raided and will become the stablemate of T58482 in NSW. Together again after 65-odd years!

[aj.lec]

Congratulations Tony
well done on the slight reversal of border raiding trends also

[Lynn Eades]

You are obviously in the tertiary stages of this terminal disease.
I guess you'll be looking for stuff like this.

[Justin Pollard]

Thanks for the pic Lynn,I,m going for an Aussie one now,
Tony well done,I,ll have to have a look when you get it home.
Justin.

[Tony Smith]

Sorry to say folks, but it's not me.
T58471 and T58482 will be residing a few clicks from here, but I will post progress shots of the reunion and restorations.

Poverty Pete.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Sold! It has been border-raided and will become the stablemate of T58482 in NSW. Together again after 65-odd years!

Arrived in the post today. Eric, where did you find the number T58482? Looked all over it and found no sign.