Maker's presentation model of a prototype BREN gun in 1/6 scale : Zbrojovka Brno

Presentation model of a prototype BREN light machine gun made by Ceská Zbrojovka in Czechoslovakia. The model is realised in about 1/6 or 1/5 scale and has been machined from a number of separate components which are screwed together. The gun has a pivoting bipod and removable magazine. It is mounted on a tripod with adjustable legs, traverse and elevation. The model is mounted on a chromed base, impressed with the Ceská Zbrojovka trade mark. Both the base of the magazine and the underface of the forward mount of the tripod are impressed with the number 26.

Model depicting the ZGB30 version of the Bren gun. The Bren gun was developed from a requirement to replace the Lewis and to a lesser extent Vickers Mk 1 machine guns. During the 1930s exhaustive trials were conducted and the final choice fell on the Czechoslovak Zb26 made by Zbrojovka Brno, modified to fire .303 ammunition with a slightly improved gas system. This gun became the ZGB30 and after another series of trials and modifications was forwarded to the War Office Acceptance Committee. The committee was satisfied with the weapon, and arrangements were made to produce the gun at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. The gun was named the BREN from BRno and ENfield. The gun was made from conventional machining and the first one was completed in September 1937. Bren guns were also manufactured in Australia and Canada during the Second World War. The Bren gun is considered to be one of the best light machine guns ever produced and served with distinction during WW2, Korea, Borneo, Malaya and was still operational during the 1991 Gulf War with second line units in the British Army, having been rebarreled to 7.62 NATO during the 1960s. This presentation model was made by Zbrojovka Brno in their Uhersky Brod factory. The use of this particular iteration of the company's 'Z' trademark dates the model to post-January 1950 manufacture. Interestingly, a number of separate parts on the gun and tripod are numbered, suggesting Zbrojovka Brno numbered their models.