Bren Light Machine Gun
The Bren light machine gun was first issued in 1937 and it served as the section automatic weapon of the British Army until it was replaced by the belt-fed L7 GPMG “Gimpy” in 1958. However, the Bren LMG was well liked by the troops, and having been re-chambered for 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition in the 1950s and designated L4 LMG, it was used as a section automatic weapon alongside the L7 GPMG until 2006.
Miniatures with Bren Light Machine Guns
- British Commandos, 1:32 Airfix 02705
- British Paratroops, 1:32 Airfix 02701
- British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Airfix 01763
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 1:72 Atlantic 1564
- British Infantry, 1943–1945, 1:72 Caesar H055
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 1:72 ESCI P-200
- British Infantry, 1944–1956, 1:72 Revell 02523
- British Infantry, 1944–1945, 25 mm Valiant VM001
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 20 mm Hinchliffe
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 20 mm Lamming
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 1:76 Airfix 01703
- British Infantry, 1941–1945, 1:76 Matchbox 5001 (40901)
- British Commandos, 1940–1945, 1:76 Matchbox 40906
- British 8th Army – 2nd Edition (1974), 1:76 Airfix 01709
- British 8th Army, 1:76 Matchbox 5005 (40905)
- British 8th Army – 1st Edition (1961), H0/00 Airfix 01709
- Australian Infantry, 1:32 Airfix 02709
- Australian Infantry, 1:76 Airfix 01750
- Australian Infantry, 1:76 Matchbox 5008 (40908)
- Gurkhas, 1:76 Airfix 01754
- British Paratroops, 1:72 Airfix Reproductions 02701
- British Paratroopers, 1:72 ESCI P-208
- British Paratroops, 1942–1945, 1:72 ESCI 8034 British Paratroopers, 1:72 Revell 02509
- British Paratroops, 1942–1945, 1:300 Heroics & Ros BR3
- NATO Paratroopers, 1:76 Matchbox 5009 (40909)
- British F.V. 603 Saracen APC
Bren gunners were instructed to fire single rounds so as not to prematurely alert the enemy to the presence of an automatic weapon.
In small arms training, the prone firing position with the Bren LMG was instructed as follows: “Lie down with body straight behind the gun, legs together. Left hand holds small of butt with over-hand grip; right hand holds the pistol grip with first finger outside trigger guard. Put change lever to ‘A’ or ‘R’, raise butt and move shoulder forward to meet it. Put forefinger on trigger and grip gun firmly with both hands pulling downwards and backwards into the shoulder. The cheek should rest lightly on the butt. The bipod legs can be adjusted for height if necessary.” The left eye was closed, and both elbows rested.
Unfortunately, figure manufacturers and sculptors appear to be quite unfamiliar with British Army Small Arms Training, which is why most of them get the prone firing position wrong. Notable exceptions to this rule are Almark, Caesar, ESCI and Lamming.
One particularly bad habit is to sculpt prone Bren gunners in painfully contorted poses with feet crossed, which makes for a highly unstable firing position, and puts the soldier at risk of being hit in the heel. The 1:32 scale Matchbox soldier above is said to be a No. 1 Bren gunner of British Commandos. His weird posture with twisted hip, crossed legs, and loose grip on the Bren LMG seems to suggest otherwise. How desperate can you be to recruit people like him into your elite formations?
Technical Data
- Designation: .303-inch Bren Light Machine Gun
- Type: Light Machine Gun (LMG)
- Developers: Václav Holek, Zbrojovka Brno (Weapons Factory Brno)
- Action: closed bolt, recoil with gas boost
- Length: 1160 mm (Mk.1/2), 1090 mm (Mk.3/4)
- Barrel Length: 635 mm
- Weight: 23 lb (with bipod)
- Calibre: 7,7 mm
- Cartridge: .303 British (7,7 mm × 56 mm R)
- Ammunition Feed: 30-round curved magazine, 100-round pan magazine
- Muzzle Velocity: 740 m/s
- Effective Range: 1000 yards
- Maximum Range: 2000 yards
- Sight Settings: 200 to 2000 yards
- Operation: single shot, automatic
- Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute
- Production: 1937–1971
Bibliography
- Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 4, Light Machine Gun (The War Office, 1942)