The Indian made copies of the Mk4 Sterling, known as Carbine Machine 9mm 1A, are usually stamped SAF indicating manufacture by Small Arms Factory Kanpur, however here is one stamped OFT indicating manufacture by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (Trichy).
OFT was established in 1967 to increase production of small arms in India, assisting RFI (Ishapore) and SAF (Kanpur). Online info about OFT products does not mention 1A production, has anyone seen any other OFT marked 1A ?
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I never saw one and neither had Howroyd or Edmiston Looks like their pantograph engraving machine was well past its best by 1972!.
Both Indian and Canadian Sterling SMG's are rare outside India and Canada. A good indication of both keeping to their manufacturing agreement. Although an Indian RFI gun turned up in Africa* by the mines clearance group. We were asked if we wanted it and said yes. The SMG got all tied up in the what was usually a simple diplomatic 'move' - so I say no more
* we think seized from Indian Army UN peace keepers that were there at the time
This OFT 1A was in a small batch of Sterlings brought into the UK from Austria by a dealer, and deactivated to EU Spec.
I know of two other Indian 1A in Europe, both are 1973 dated and made by SAF, one is in Germany the owner bought it in the Netherlands where it had been deactivated, the other is in Poland, where it has been converted to semi-auto only.
Attachment 139696
Here are some pics of the Canadian C1: