*Canadian, WWII, John Inglis Bren Light Machine Gun Magazine & Mixed Inert .303 Cartridge Display Group – JI Marked – Radway Green, Royal Laboratory & HXP*
An original World War II Canadian-manufactured Bren light machine gun detachable magazine accompanied by a mixed display grouping of inert .303 British cartridges and empty cases spanning British and Commonwealth production from the 1950s–1980s. The curved steel magazine retains its original blackened finish with expected service wear and bears internal production markings including a “15” within an oval together with the important “JI” maker stamp, identifying manufacture by the John Inglis Company of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, one of the principal wartime Bren producers for Commonwealth forces.
The magazine displays the pronounced curvature characteristic of Bren magazines designed around the rimmed .303 British cartridge, allowing reliable feeding under combat conditions. A white-painted “7” inventory or rack marking remains visible externally. While the accompanying ammunition represents post-war production, the magazine itself is a genuine wartime component dating to approximately 1940–1945.
Included are nine .303 British examples in total, consisting of four complete inert cartridges and five empty cartridge cases. Four empty cases are headstamped RG 65 L.9Z, denoting Royal Ordnance Factory Radway Green, 1965, Ball Mark 9Z loading. The four complete cartridges comprise a mixed Commonwealth grouping including R⌃L 54 7 (Royal Laboratory, 1954), RG 61 7Z (Radway Green 1961), RG 55 7 (Radway Green 1955), and HXP 86, representing later Greek military production by Pyrkal. One final empty case is unmarked or too worn to identify. Together these examples illustrate the long service life and widespread international use of the .303 British cartridge.
Approx. Measurements – Magazine length: approx. 23 cm. Width: approx. 9.5 cm.
History Note:
The John Inglis Company of Toronto became one of Canada’s major wartime arms manufacturers during the Second World War, producing Bren light machine guns and associated components for British and Commonwealth forces. The Bren earned a reputation as one of the most reliable light machine guns of the war, serving across every theatre from North Africa to Northwest Europe. Due to the rimmed nature of the .303 British cartridge, Bren magazines required a distinctive curved profile unlike many contemporary box magazines. Although wartime Bren production ceased after 1945, both magazines and .303 ammunition continued in reserve and Commonwealth service for decades.
*Condition*
Magazine shows age and service wear with areas of finish loss, scattered oxidation and surface rusting. Internal production stamps remain visible. Cartridge cases and rounds display mixed age wear, tarnishing and storage marks consistent with military surplus examples. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
Completely inert display items, empty and free from all explosive or energetic materials.
JAQ#3165D_3753242082
