It appears to be a BREN gun with a severe rust problem, it's buttstock is completely corroded away. There also appears to be a tri-pod and a propellor blade. Things I would like to find in my basement!
I don,t see an area for a clip on the top and the brens sights were on the side the sights on that appear to be on the top.
I concur - looks like a Bren to me. The shape of the trigger area (its not the stock, don't know what to call it) and positioning of the tripod give it away. I don't think some WD-40 would help the OP bren gun though!
My limited knowledge of weapons always had me believing it was a German weapon. Thanks for the feedback. I have attached another 2 pictures taken at the same time. You may want to see what you can find amongst the rust!! All I can really say to respect the owner's property & privacy as asked, is that the pictures were taken by me in Normandy whilst I was researching my Grandfather's military history.
If only that Bren could talk. Did the owner of the property give you an idea of how he acquired it? I could see in that picture a German helmet along with what appears to be mortar launches. I would guess that he or someone else just collected remains and stored them over the years. Those items are historical artifacts.
It's great to have the responses - thank-you. Everything that's pictured was stored there after the battle and has remained there since. Whether they are still there, I don't know. You may also have noticed the 'Tommy' helmet as well. As a complete variation. I went to the WW1 Gallipoli battlefields about 8 years ago. It was a really rough and ready trip. One morning we were taken by our guide to a small village and then to an outhouse where there was the most amazing store of battlefield relics I have ever seen. It even included personal effects such as jewellery and the like.
do you think you could refurbish that gun to be able to use it or not it looks like it is beyond repair