Dewat Bren Marked 'DEWAT'

[Rob Dekker]

I picked up this Bren yesterday at a local show. Needs a bit of TLC but what I like about is that it's officially marked 'DEWAT' with a C-Broad Arrow.

[rob love]

I have seen many many Brens marked with DP (Drill Purpose) serial numbers. Dewat is a new one on me. Did the seller have some history on when the markings were applied?

The butt would appear to have been changed to an earlier version. The marking disc was on the earlier mk1 guns.

[Rob Dekker]

No history. It's certainly unique, I've never seen marked like that before.

[maple_leaf_eh]

DEWAT is an American term, no? DEactivated WAr Trophy.

If may have been a unnecessary necessity in the face of officialdom. There is a story about a Canadian full-auto collector who is subject to home inspections as per the details of the Firearms Act. The bureaucrat arrives at the man's house at a prearranged time, and starts ticking boxes on a checklist form. Locks, check. Alarm, check. Gun safe, check. etc To expedite the inspections, the owner has magnetic stickers that say, 'Gun Safe' and 'Ammunition Locker' and 'MG bolts'. Perhaps a previous owner of the BREN had had enough stupid questions that he engraved DEWAT in the body of the former firearm as a way of deflection.

[Rob Dekker]

The gun has never been in the hands of a collector.

Gov't-->Crown Assets-->Dealer Warehouse

[rob love]

Not so sure I would say that "dewat" is purely an American term. I have seen it on some official Canadian Government documents.

[rob love]

What are the two "blocks" forward of the nomencalture forward of the "Inglis 1941". I can't say I have seen those before.

Can you give a photo of the area forward of the barrel release, as well as a photo of the lower receiver behind the pistol grip?

[Rob Dekker]

The reinforced areas of the receiver?

Some generic pics I gathered...

[B. Harris]

Very nice find regardless!

Harris

[Rob Dekker]

It's a toy!!! Also, picked up a decent old school cock & click Long Branch Sten at the same show.