Lanchester Mk1 SMG

The very last Lanchesters were withdrawn from the Navy in 1978 so your friend isn't far out. The Sterling Co were invited to buy them back where they were laying in store at Yeovil (but I think that they meant the Navy Base at Yeovilton) in part exchange for some L2A3's. It didn't happen as by then small-arms came under the Ministry of Defence and there were suffiicient L2A3's in stock to supply the Navy's small needs.

Egypt did have large stocks from the large quantity of ex RN ships they purchased. The ships came as a complete item - as a sort of CES! Chile was another large stockholder of Lanchesters for the same reason.

Strangely, my sons school CCF (Navy Section) had 4 Lanchesters according to their old WOCS ledgers and the old Armoury had 6 specially modified rifle racks, where the top rail for the upper rifle fore-end was lowered to suit the shorter/lower Lanchester casing. Taken away in 1974 or so but there were still a couple of magazines left. What was interesting is that the top rail/racks for their No1 rifles (and the Lanchesters) had oval holes bored through next to each rifle. It puzzled me until the Warrant Officer on the Training Team told me that they were for the bayonets. Each rifle had a bayonet too!i They also had bayonets for the No4 rifles until they were taken away in the late 60's too. How things have changed!

New to the forum, and I dont think Ive ever posted, but enjoy the reading. Great resource on the Lanchester! Here is a pic of my fully functional MK1* (Greener)
Attachment 72165

It's a late one with what was called 'welded detail'

It's been about 6 years since I started this thread and I've only just found an old spec Mk1. It has been modified to full automatic but everything else is as it should be. The TMH and sight are screwed, there is the trip lever slot in the case and a hole for the selecter button. There is also a pin on the outside which I've not seen before and appears to be original. I've got it striped at the moment as it is the dirtiest gun I've ever had. There is what looks like soil in every part to the point where it wouldn't even dry fire, the bolt would just sit there with the trigger pressed and slowly move forward and wouldn't even close with out a push.

As soon as I can I'll get some photos.

As a side note about Chile, they got a navy ship from Canada. Century Arms from Montreal got all of the
Ross rifles,parts and accessories in the 1960s. They sold them here.

I do have an old spec deactivated MK1 Lanchester which looks as if a welder from a tank factory or locomotive works has been drafted in to weld the sight base and trigger housing to the receiver. I wouldn't say it's in great condition and the main reason that I purchased it is because it is very rare that any old spec deactivated MK1 Lanchester comes up for sale and so there's not great deal of choice. I do mean to get round to posting some pictures at some point.

As I've found out over the last 6 years or so, there weren't to many true Mk1s made. Even the Mk1 back sight isn't an indication. Chances are if its welded, it never was a Mk1 select fire but was made using MkI parts. The only true converted mk1 guns that I've seen had the tripping lever slot in the receiver, the hole for the selector in the front of the trigger guard and the MkI trigger link. I've also never seen a true converted mk1 with the sight base and TMH welded on but I haven't had chance to check that many.

From what I've observed, there were no more than the first 200 units made with a steel mag well and marked Lanchester Carbine Mk1. The later being brass with Lanchester Mk1 markings.

I'll post some pictures as soon as possible and you may be able to tell me more about my example, britplumber, which has a brass/bronze mag housing. I now have a note to remind myself to take the pictures and so should remember to do so. I didn't know anything about a fire selector until you mentioned it above.

I was thinking of making my Lanchester selectable. I gathered up all the parts except the selector. When I got the gun out of NFA prison I found the cyclic rate is so slow that single shots are no problem. Even with the increased rate of fire from the MP28 firing pin it’s very easy to make single shots, doubles, etc. Best I can tell from shooting it is the selector is totally unnecessary.

When I had access to the BR, the Navy equivalent of the EMER's during the 90's or so, it listed in some detail the variations likely that could be found on Lanchesters together with what they called 'fixtures' - which was methods of fixing stuff to the main body casing. To be honest, if you detailed all of the variables, there'd be hundreds!!!!! The principle aim was to get them all to one standard automatic fire spec - one way or another! Plus plenty of variables in the components too. Styraight, curved machined, fabricated............. A stores controllers nightmare. The only modification as such seemed to be the spring loaded thinggy on the side that would lock the breech block rearwards.

Yep, Vince is dead right. Such a slow rate of fire..... like a big single cylinder motorbike! A true gentlemans SMG if there ever is such a thing!