*Czech / Irish, 1937, Bren Trials Light Machine Gun (ZGB-33 Pattern), Serial 209, Matching Spare Barrel, Irish “FF” Property Marks, Matching Nos, Deactivated*
An exceptionally rare early Bren trials light machine gun from the first batch of Czech-manufactured guns supplied to the British War Department in 1936 for evaluation prior to full Bren production, then issued to the Irish Army and bearing Irish “FF” property marks. Manufactured by Československá Zbrojovka A.S., Brno, these weapons represent the ZGB-33 pattern, the final developmental stage between the Czech ZB-series machine guns and the standard Bren Mk I that would enter mass production at RSAF Enfield in late 1937.
Also present are the “FF” property marks, representing Fianna Fáil (Soldiers of Destiny), the Irish state ownership stamp used by the Irish Defence Forces (Na Fórsaí Cosanta). Ireland placed one of the earliest foreign orders for Bren guns, and because British production had not yet begun at RSAF Enfield, the British Government supplied a small number of these early Czech-manufactured trials guns to fulfil part of the Irish requirement. As a result, these weapons display the distinctive and historically significant combination of Czech manufacture, British acceptance marks, and Irish “FF” ownership stamps, confirming their issue into Irish military service.
This example, serial number 209, forms part of the first shipment of approximately 200 guns sent from the Brno factory to the United Kingdom in 1936 for official trials and testing. The receiver is clearly marked “ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ ZBROJOVKA A.S., BRNO”, confirming manufacture at the original Czech factory before British production commenced.
The gun retains matching serial numbers, including the receiver and barrel assembly, and is accompanied by a matching spare barrel marked “209 A”, an increasingly uncommon survival as spare barrels were frequently separated during service. Both receiver and barrel carry British Enfield inspection and acceptance marks, together with the date stamp “37”, indicating inspection during 1937 when the Bren was being formally adopted into British service. Visible inspection and acceptance marks include Crown over GR over crossed flags proof marks, confirming British military inspection. The safety selector is marked A-S-R (Automatic, Safe, Repetition), reflecting the British terminology used in early Bren manuals.
At some stage during its service life the gun was designated “D.P.” (Drill Purpose), meaning it was withdrawn from operational service and retained as a training aid. This designation often contributed to the survival of early examples such as this one.
This results in a fascinating cross-national weapon — manufactured in Czechoslovakia, inspected by Britain, and ultimately issued to the Irish Army.
The gun remains in .303 calibre configuration with a 25-inch quick-change barrel and is supplied with EU-specification deactivation certificates issued by the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House for both the gun and the spare barrel.
Approx. Measurements – Overall length: approx. 115 cm. Barrel length: 63.5 cm (25 in).
History Note:
The Bren gun originated from the Czech ZB-series light machine guns, particularly the ZGB-33 prototype, which was tested by the British Army in the mid-1930s as a replacement for the ageing Lewis gun. Following extensive trials, the design was adopted by Britain and the name “Bren” was formed from BRno and ENfield, reflecting the collaboration between the Czech manufacturer and the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield.
Before Enfield production began in late 1937, a limited number of trial guns were supplied directly from the Zbrojovka Brno factory to the British War Department for evaluation. Approximately 200 examples formed this early trials batch, and only a very small number are believed to survive today.
Ireland was among the earliest foreign adopters of the Bren gun. Due to delays in British production capacity, the British Government supplied a small quantity of these early Czech-manufactured trial guns to the Irish Defence Forces, where they received Irish “FF” property marks. Many remained in Irish service for decades before being relegated to Drill Purpose (DP) training roles.
Today these so-called “Irish Trials Brens” represent one of the rarest and most historically interesting variations of the Bren gun, illustrating the transitional stage between the Czech ZGB-33 prototype and the standard Bren Mk I that would become one of the most famous light machine guns of the Second World War.
*Condition*
Deactivated to current EU specification with certificates issued by the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House for both the gun and spare barrel. The gun displays expected service wear, patina, and handling marks consistent with military use. Receiver markings remain clear, including the Brno factory address, serial number 209, British acceptance marks, and Irish “FF” property marks.
This example retains several distinctive early ZGB-33 trials features, including:
• Early Czech under-butt sling swivel, inherited from the ZB-series machine guns and later replaced by side-mounted sling fittings on British production Bren Mk I guns.
• Early Czech-pattern bipod assembly, differing slightly in construction from later Enfield-manufactured Bren bipods.
• Czech receiver manufacture and machining, bearing the original Brno factory marking together with British acceptance stamps dated 1937.
• A-S-R selector markings, characteristic of early Bren terminology.
• Matching spare barrel marked “209 A”, an increasingly scarce survival.
Magazine present and removable. A very well-preserved example of an exceptionally rare trials-pattern Bren, combining Czech manufacture, British inspection, and Irish service history in a single historically important weapon. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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