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Post by woodsy on Sept 15, 2009 10:29:40 GMT 1
I no longer need the Mk V trigger cover as I have now got the original from the previous owner. I thought some of you may be interested in my Sten collection. It is not totally complete but does have most of the production guns (without getting into different makers). From the top: Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, MkV, New Zealand ARMAF Mk I, New Zealand RCNZ Local Pattern, Austen by WT Carmichaels, Austen by Die Casters. Now if you know of a live Mk II(S) or a Mk 6, let me know.   |
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Post by Kev on Sept 15, 2009 17:33:05 GMT 1
Very nice indeed Rod  |
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Post by missingsomething on Sept 16, 2009 13:36:59 GMT 1
Nice stuff Rod... I have a Mk IIS but its a made up dewat.... (cant own them here.. Live ones anyway..)   |
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kiwi
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Post by kiwi on Apr 11, 2010 23:53:46 GMT 1
Hi, I am looking at purchasing a MK2 Sten at what seems to be a good price. I have been told that this is because there is no British markings making it less collectable. I was told that this particular gun was probably Zew Zealand made?
Can anyone please confirm this or provide some information so I can learn more about these interesting SMG's. Thanks.
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Post by woodsy on Apr 12, 2010 1:35:14 GMT 1
The NZ made Stens are marked 'ARMAF MkI' and NPZ for the first model (1,000 only produced by Precision Engineering in Wellington) or 'RCNZ' and 'STEN LP' for the second model (10,000 produced by the Radio Corporation of New Zealand). Both are rare.
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kiwi
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Post by kiwi on Apr 12, 2010 3:00:01 GMT 1
Thanks for your prompt reply. As you have pointed out the N.Z models are rare so I doubt it is one of these, especialy considering the price does not reflect this.
There are no markings at all apart from the S/N. I guess the only place they are marked is the top of the mag well? I have only seen it in pictures, so not a lot of detail.
It also appears to have a brass bolt assy. Do you have any idea about its possible history?
Is it possible it is a copy? I have seen plans on how to build one so perhaps its been made up of bits.
Any help you could offer would be of great help. Thanks.
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Post by woodsy on Apr 12, 2010 6:21:10 GMT 1
The bronze bolts were used on some of the UK production Stens, although they are considered scarce. The NZ Stens were prominently marked on the top of the mag housing.
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Post by britplumber on Apr 12, 2010 22:23:46 GMT 1
It sounds like Kiwis STEN is a run of the mill Brit STEN. A canadian STEN would have Longbranch stamped into it and mentioned by Rod, the other colonial STENs are also manufacturer marked. If you know the serial the prefix will give you a indication as to who assembled the gun (I say assembled as the Mk2 was assembled from component parts made in garages and workshops around the UK).
Theres been a number of Mk2 'S' on the market in the UK and so far I've not found one of them to be original. I think there is a well known UK dealer who has sold a number of representations on to the market and many people now selling these guns genuinly believe they are the 'S' version. Lets face it, its not hard to copy one.
Rod, I love the Mk1, I was offerd one a few years back, but I rejected it as a copy at the time and Peter L has recently confirmed his suspicion at its authenticity so I'm glad I didn't buy it.
Is your Mk5 marked Mk5 or MkV? I'm guessing MkV?
Its generally believed in the US that the Bronze bolt is rare and used in the Mk2's' but this is rubbish, its a economy bolt that dosn't last as long a steel version.
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Post by britplumber on Apr 12, 2010 22:27:44 GMT 1
P.S. I see you have a No9 bayonet for the Mk5, I dont think the No9 was used on the STEN, the bayonet for the STEN would have been the No7 as it was designed for the STEN and No4 rifle (Later prohibited from being used on the No4 due to an accident apparantly).
Are you going to knock up a Mk5 forward pistiol grip?
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Post by woodsy on Apr 13, 2010 1:58:08 GMT 1
Hi Chris
My Sten is MkV made about May 1944 (ROF Theale). I have since picked up a front grip wihich is a good match in the wood. The grip looks good and is very well made but I have doubts as to its originality. It came from IMA as 'new old stock' but it could be a very well done repro. Although the No9 was not 'officially' for the Sten, a great many were used nonetheless. I have been trying to find a No7 but without success as yet.
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kiwi
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Post by kiwi on Apr 13, 2010 3:58:14 GMT 1
The serial number of the Sten is 0702 which is under the magwell. The only other marking is LB which is on the gusset part of the stock just in front of the hole on the R/H side (strut type stock).
The gun has been refinished, blued and parkerized and looks good, probably too good.
The seller has confirmed that bolt is steel, not brass as it appears in the photo's.
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Post by britplumber on Apr 13, 2010 20:12:34 GMT 1
Rod, If its come from IMA, I would suspect its a copy. They appear to have a number of 'original items' sourced from the UK and are identical to the copies in the UK. They perhaps have no idea and bought them as NOS, but I'd be happy with a copy. I've got some of the perfect reproductions of the Bren AA handle sold by Kev, and there spot on for me, I'm quite happy to use NEW parts if they are as good as the original.
Kiwi, LB is the mark of Lines Brothers (Triang) a Brtish company who made parts for the Mk2 before going into production of the MK3. Again, many people believe LB is the marking of Longbranch but its definatly Lines Brothers.
Does the STEN have sling swivels on the butt and barrel nut? and does the cocking handle have a big round knob or a normal thin rod? It could be, judging from the refininish a Finnish gun, the big knobed handle for use with gloves.
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