Chinese? star on Sten Mk 5

[BurtonP]

Hi all,
I picked up a Sten Mk 5, which on examination has a star on the butt assembly button. Despite it being an incomplete stamping I think it's a 5 point star rather than a 6 point Israeli star. Since there are no other Chinese or foreign stamps, I assume it's a part added to the Sten after its service life. I can't find any reference to Sten Mk 5s going to any Communist countries.

Does anyone own a Chinese contract Sten Mk II that has this stamp?
Cheers,
Burton

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[BurtonP]

On further examination I'm wondering if the "Star" is a broad arrow. The other elements seem to be letters, randomly oriented, that one often finds on Stens. Are these inspectors marks? I can see an L and a Y beside the star or broad arrow. So I guess my question now is - does this fit any broad arrow markings anyone has seen?

[Brian Dick]

Did Canada issue any Mk.5 Stens? It looks like a Canadian Tech Services stamp which is a tri-corner maple leaf. Just a wild *** guess.

[Peter Laidler]

It looks like an incomplete star but I'm minded to wonder why any nation would bother to mark such an insignificant part with a national emblem.

On the other hand, could it indicate that the return spring cup has been modified by reaming or machining to allow the modified return spring collar to enter fully unto the cup.

This was to......... read the Sten book. It was a safety modification