British, WWII - Dated 1941, Enfield Bren Mk I .303 Light Machine Gun, Serial No. L4181, FTR 5/52, Old Spec Handling, UK Deactivated

*British, WWII - Dated 1941, Enfield Bren Mk I .303 Light Machine Gun, Serial No. L4181, FTR 5/52, Old Spec Handling, UK Deactivated*

- Early Bren Mk I manufactured at RSAF Enfield in 1941
- Desirable Mk I configuration retaining drum rear sight, telescopic bipod and wooden barrel carrying handle
- Documented Factory Thorough Repair (FTR) completed in May 1952
- Receiver serial number L4181; Replacement barrel officially renumbered L4181 during military service; Barrel release lever electro-pencilled L4181 during refurbishment
- Bolt moves, cocks and dry-fires
- Earlier UK specification deactivation, re-certified by Birmingham Proof House in 2025
- Numerous British Broad Arrow ownership marks, Crown inspection stamps and Enfield inspection marks
- Original wooden butt, pistol grip and shoulder strap

An original British Bren Mk I .303 Light Machine Gun manufactured by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, in 1941. This is an attractive and honest military example retaining the desirable early Mk I features together with documented post-war military refurbishment, making it an excellent representation of Britain's iconic Second World War light machine gun.

The left side of the receiver is crisply marked:
MK I
D
1941
identifying manufacture by RSAF Enfield, while the receiver carries serial number L4181.

This early Mk I retains the features omitted from later wartime production, including the drum-adjustable rear sight, telescopic adjustable bipod, wooden barrel carrying handle, wooden pistol grip, original buttstock complete with shoulder strap and the quick-change barrel assembly. Numerous British Broad Arrow ownership marks, Crown inspection stamps and Enfield inspection marks remain visible throughout, further documenting its military history.

Unlike many surviving Bren guns, this example tells the story of continued military service. The receiver remains numbered L4181, while the barrel now bears the same serial number. Examination shows an earlier barrel serial has been officially cancelled beneath the current number, demonstrating that the barrel was replaced and renumbered during military refurbishment. The barrel release lever is also marked L4181, although by electro-pencil rather than factory stamping, another recognised feature of British Factory Thorough Repair programmes. The receiver is clearly stamped FTR 5/52, recording an official Factory Thorough Repair completed in May 1952. During these rebuilds Bren guns were completely stripped, inspected and rebuilt using serviceable components, with replacement parts frequently renumbered to match the receiver before returning to military stores.

Approximate Measurements: Overall Length: approximately 45½ inches (116 cm). Barrel Length: 25 inches (64 cm). Calibre: .303 British

History Note:
Developed from the highly successful Czech ZB series of light machine guns, the Bren was adopted by the British Army in 1938 following trials and modified for manufacture at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. Combining the names Brno and Enfield, the Bren quickly established itself as one of the finest light machine guns ever produced, renowned for its exceptional reliability, accuracy and robust quick-change barrel system.

The Mk I represented the original production model and incorporated numerous finely machined features, including the adjustable drum rear sight, telescopic bipod and wooden carrying handle. As wartime production expanded these expensive components were simplified on the later Mk II to reduce manufacturing time, making surviving Mk I examples particularly desirable today.

Following the Second World War, thousands of Bren guns remained in British and Commonwealth service and underwent Factory Thorough Repair (FTR). These comprehensive rebuilds returned weapons to serviceable condition by replacing worn components, refinishing metalwork where necessary and renumbering replacement parts to match the parent weapon. This Bren, rebuilt in May 1952, is an excellent example of that process, retaining visible evidence of its official refurbishment while continuing to display its wartime origins.

*Condition*
Presented in excellent overall military condition with an attractive, even finish throughout. The metalwork shows only light service wear, scattered handling marks and minor edge rubbing consistent with military use and long-term armoury storage. The wooden buttstock, pistol grip and barrel carrying handle remain particularly well preserved, displaying an attractive aged colour with only honest handling marks and no significant damage. Markings throughout are clear and well defined, including the MK I / D / 1941 manufacture mark, serial number L4181, FTR 5/52, numerous Broad Arrow ownership marks, Crown inspection stamps and Enfield inspection marks. The replacement barrel has been officially renumbered L4181, with the earlier serial neatly cancelled beneath the current number, while the barrel release lever has been electro-pencilled to match during refurbishment. These are entirely consistent with British military workshop practice and should be regarded as part of the gun's documented service history. Mechanically, the gun retains excellent display functionality. The bolt moves freely, the action cocks and dry-fires correctly, and the principal controls operate as expected for an earlier UK specification deactivation. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.

Deactivation:
Previously deactivated to an earlier UK specification and accompanied by a Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Re-Certification Certificate dated 30 April 2025. The certificate records the firearm as an Enfield Light Machine Gun, serial number L4181, calibre .303, with a 25-inch barrel, country of origin UK, under certificate number CG 187906. The certificate confirms that the firearm has been re-certified under the UK Home Office specifications in force at the time of its original deactivation and specifically notes that it is not certified to the later Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 standard. Accordingly, the gun retains its earlier specification handling characteristics, including a moving bolt together with a cocking and dry-firing action

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