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The Bren was developed from the Czech 7.92mm ZB26. Prduction started at Enfield in 1937 and during WW2 it was also produced by Inglis in Canada where in addition to the .303" version they also made a 7.92mm version for Nationalist China. So accurate it was claimed to be a fully auto Sniper Gun, Last used in Gulf War 1.

The .303" Bren went through five marks:

Bren Light Machine gun Mk 1, Mk 1a, Mk 2, Mk 3 and finally Mk 4

Calibre----------------- .303 (7.7mm Rimmed)

System of operation----- Gas, Selective fire

Overall length---------- 45 inches

Barrel length----------- 25 inches

Feed device------------- 30 Box magazine, 100 "Hi Speed" Drum magazine for AA use

Muzzle Velocity--------- 2440 feet per second (Mk 7 ball)

Cyclic rate------------- 500 rounds per minute

Weight of gun----------- 22.2 pounds

There was a tripod and AA mount manufactured.

The 7.62mm Bren replaced the .303 Bren in British service and there were 7 marks:

Bren light Machine Gun L4A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and finally L4A7 for the Indian Army.

.303 Bren Gun Mk 1

L4 7.62mm version of the .303 Bren Gun.

[edit] Taden gun

There was also the Taden, Basically a belt-fed bren gun with spade grips, Reliable but got turned down due to the 7.62 NATO round.

[edit] See Also

• Vickers K Gun