Sterling Mk 4 (L2A3) Bayonet advice

[grant580]

Does anyone know what type of bayonet would fit a Sterling Mk 4? I assumed an L1A1 bayonet would fit, but they don't because of the smaller size of the barrel ring at the hilt. It would appear the Sterling mounting ring is much larger. Can anyone advise?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The commonly refered to #5 Jungle carbine bayonet is the one you seek. The UK called them the sub-machine gun bayonet. It has a sustantially larger ring.

[Peter Laidler]

We didn't change the nomenclature BAR. Throughout it's life in UK service it remained the 'BAYONET, No5 Mk1' together with its old No5 rifle part number, as did the scabbard, right up until the end of its life as the L1A1 rifle scabbard. So if you're offered a No5 bayonet as BAR says Grant, take it. But be advised that if the ring is tight (if you'll excuse the phrase.........) on the muzzle of the SMG. That's because some rings were slightly undersize and just need clearing out with a few strokes of a file.

[Mk VII]

One which was marketed by Sterling.

[browningautorifle]

Apologies on the misnomer Peter, I was using info passed on by an ex UK Staff Sgt.

[grant580]

OK Gentlemen, guess I will have to start to hunt down a no 5 jungle carbine bayonet. Thanks for the advice it is much appreciated. When I find one I will submit some pictures of my "Rolls Royce" of machine guns (As Peter calls them!) complete with bayonet.

[Peter Laidler]

You're right Grant, the little Sterlings were indeed the Rolls Royce of sub machine guns. The quality control was truly something else. The trigger frame sides had no tolerance. They were slightly de-burred after coming off the press and were slipped over the master jig. If it didn't, it was rejected outright. Oh......, don't get me going - just works of engineering art.

The pistol grip angle was snitched directly from the Luger, which George Patchett felt was the ideal angle for both handed shooters and the angle that felt the most ergonomic

[grant580]

Peter, speaking of both handed shooters, when a soldier in the British Army is introduced to the Sterling and he happens to be left handed (like myself) was he forced to change over to the "normal" or right side to shoot the weapon? My Dad was in the Canadian Army during the war and where he was they frowned on guys who were left handed. Personally I have never shot my Sterling (thanks to Canadian gun laws which classes my converted auto Sterling as "prohibited" and am not even allowed to take it out of the house) but when I shoulder it, even though I am left handed I naturally put it up to my right side. Any thought on this?

[browningautorifle]

We used them for many years in the Canadian army. We shot left or right as the firer was inclined. Teaching a left handed firer to perform drills right handed is as easy as teaching you to write with the other hand.

[Peter Laidler]

Same as us. If someone shoots cack-handed, then cack-handed they're allowed to shoot. EXCEPT, that is, with the L85. Then it's all right handed. Sterlings were as easy to shoot left handed as they were right handed. Better still, just bursts from the waist at the fig 11 targets