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I recently picked up these 2 Sten mags at a mititaria fair and both have a arrow/D marking and one has blue numbering. I haven't seen a Sten mag marked this way, with blue numbering, before which, although a shot in the dark, I guess to be a stores/part number rather than part of a gun serial number of some sort? :dunno: Has anyone seen Sten mags marked this way before with the blue numbering and if so who may have done it??? Many thanks for any info. :cheers:
I would hazard a complete guess of Finland F10, only because I had a mk3 ex Fin Sten, that came with two mags very similarly marked, both oddly deac stamped with the Sten.. I will try and find the pics.
I'd point out that they both appear to be Mk2 magazines (no cartridge view holes in the back)
It's mainly the origin of the blue numbering that I'm interested in, more so than the arrow/D marking. Many people believe the arrow/D marking to be an Australian marking but others dispute this. Yes it's a MK2 mag without the viewing holes.
At the same event I also purchased, from another stall, a MK1 Sten mag manufactured by using a method of construction which I haven't seen before, for a Sten mag. I will post some pictures when I get time.
Australian Sten magazines! Not to my knowledge although I stand to be corrected of course. They were busy making their own Owens.
Be advised with Sten magazines that the actual main casing part is not necessarily made by the same company as made the what is called the SHEATH. The sheath is the spot welded part of the mouthpiece that reinforces the feed lips. So an identification logo on the sheath (or the main casing in this case.....) simply identifies the co, who made THAT part. Same applies to the bottom plate and bottom plate retainer.
Stens were notorious for being one man dogs with regards to magazines. You got 10 magazines that worked with YOUR gun and kept them. I'd suggest that the number related to a particular gun.
Would anyone like to suggest the meaning for the arrow over D marking seen in picture 2, post 1 other than being an Australian ownership/acceptance mark, please? The marking must have meant something and not simply placed on the magazines for no reason. If possible, please give a reason for any interpretation of the marking. Thanks.
Yep. That’s what I was thinking too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
From my little experience, the Indian modified magazines seem to be an exception to the one-man dog thing. All the ones I have work flawlessly. They even work with the filthy Pakistani ammo that gave a Mk4 Sterling trouble.
I also purchased from the same vendor at the show an Indian reduced capacity Sten mag. I picked through the vendor's small selection of Sten mags that he had brought to the show and I purchased any that looked either unusual, interesting or in very good condition, to add to my collection.
Did India ,post independence, just use the reduced capacity Sten mag or did they use a mix of standard mags and reduced capacity, does anyone know? Thanks