Quote Originally Posted by Paul S. View Post
guardsmen had SMLEs as evidenced by the long bayonets (fixed). You'd have thought that at that point after the war they would have had No.4s.
Curious. Are you sure they weren't No.4's with the No.7 blade bayonet? (For the Sten Mk5 SMG) These were favoured by some guards regiments after the war for appearance, even though officially you weren't meant to fire a No.4 with one fixed as the bayonet wasn't thought strong enough.

Quote Originally Posted by Paul S. View Post
on another note, aren't the Germans still making/using a modern (post-war) version of the MG42?
Yes, the 7.62x51mm NATO calibre MG3. The most obvious external difference between the two is the shape of the flash-hider. I believe MG3's are also made under license in Pakistan.