Infantry Trials and Development Unit trials question

[pzluchs]

Gentlemen!

What kind of adjustable ranging telescope and rifle noise suppressor where tested in this unit in 1971 year? I don't knew that in UK was tested other suppressed weapon than L34A1 in this time.

Regards, Andrey Vents

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[Peter Laidler]

There wasn't really a lot to choose from when the Sterling L34/Mk5 was being trialled and unbelieveably, the gun we were using up to the time was the Mk2S and Mk6 Sten guns. In fact the Sten, in its Mk2S and 6 guise weren't fully replaced until 1972 so it's worth mentioning that fact the next time anyone tells you that it was crap. But I digress.....

At the time of the L34 trial it was the only contender and fitted the GSR (the general staff requirement) and as such, was trialled as a single entity. It passed with flying colours without a single modification being required. There's a really good book about this from Collector Grade called The Guns of Dagenham that you will enjoy - hopefully. The L34 enjoyed good sales and like most things, so long as it was assembled it was as good as gold.

As for ART telescopes, the leatherwood was on trial as a single entity but was far, far too complicated for its own good and leatherwood wanted a maintenance contract built in too. This was a novel concept at the time and the logistics of such a concept hadn't been well thought out! Not waterproof either!