It seems from the following extract from a Dail Debate in March 1947, that the Irish army adopted the Bren Gun before the British Army.
This suggests that the initial order would have been for the MkI model. Anyone know when the MkIIIs were purchased? (Presumably post WWII)
Is this the longest serving weapon in Irish service?
Mr. Traynor: It is complete balderdash from the point of view of the suggestion which the Deputy tried to convey to the House-that it was done out of pique or something of that sort. We purchased in Czecho-Slovakia a number of Bren guns and I think it is to the credit of the Army authorities that they were the first to see the value of this type of gun. They went to Czecho-Slovakia and purchased quite a large quantity, as much as it was possible to purchase, but not as much as they would have liked to have got. They were very pleased with themselves and at a later stage England was so satisfied with the value of this gun that I understand the authorities there purchased the right to manufacture this particular weapon in England.
Is this the longest serving weapon in Irish service?
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