Sterling Mk4 L2A3

[tankhunter]

That's the one Vincent. I will dig my Faz Sterling out sometime & take some pics. You will see what I mean then. it is also in original blued finish, rather than the later crinkle paint finish.

When going through workshops for refurb or rustproofing. ALL crinkle finish was Vapor (Sand & Water) blasted off the recievers. Then parkerised, suncorite 259 paint sprayed. & baked in a hot oven for 30 mins to harden the finish. Then oil dipped to give them the Famous 'Enfield finish'.

---------- Post added at 04:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 AM ----------

Someone on the sub guns forum said my knowledge was crap.......

I which case Pete, that 'Someone' is crap with THIER Knowledge!.........

[Vincent]

Thanks Peter. Very interesting. I would never have gotten that.

The tooling marks on the one in picture #3 were erased when it was sand blasted and Parkerized.




Do you know what the marking in the box is? At first I thought it was a blemish. It’s on all the Sterling Mk4 breech blocks I have.

Someone on the sub guns forum said my knowledge was crap.......

Probably jealous and drunk or off his rocker. I wouldn’t give the fool a second thought.

[Vincent]

That's the one Vincent. I will dig my Faz Sterling out sometime & take some pics. You will see what I mean then. it is also in original blued finish, rather than the later crinkle paint finish.

Blued! That is unusual.

The Sterling crinkle finish is very hard to duplicate. I have never gotten it quite right. After my last attempt I am no longer allowed to touch “her” oven.

[Peter Laidler]

A blued Fazakerley Sterling Tankie........ Thread 61, 1st line! Are you sure? The spec was phosphate.

We did used to get some crinkle finished parts through the system, such as butt assemblies, butt parts and return spring caps but these were the remains of the banned commercial export guns that were held in Ordnance. The government were prohibited from selling them on for 'reasons' so they were stripped for their spare parts. Then the plucky Sterling company purchased the brand new casings back for, as it was described to me '......for less than £1 each.....' to be made into new guns for export.

I don't know what that mark is Vince and I can't say that I have ever noticed it before. Could it be something to do with holding during the hardening process?

[Vincent]

I don't know what that mark is Vince and I can't say that I have ever noticed it before. Could it be something to do with holding during the hardening process?

I don’t know Peter. I suppose it could be something like that.

[Brit plumber]

Or may be a hardness test?

Mine doesn't appear to have it.

[Vincent]

Or may be a hardness test?

Mine doesn't appear to have it.

They are not always in the same location. It might be on the other side.

[Flying10uk]

Were the Mk4 Sterling bolts dropped forged into the basic shape before being machined? If so I wonder if the mark seen on Vincent's bolt was caused by a slightly damaged forging die? The mark looks like it may have been present on the bolt before being machined and was of sufficient depth not to be removed by the machining process.

[Peter Laidler]

They came as bar stock.

[tankhunter]

[QUOTE=Peter Laidler;370757]A blued Fazakerley Sterling Tankie........ Thread 61, 1st line! Are you sure? The spec was phosphate.QUOTE]

Pete, Leave it with Me for Now. & I will take some pics & put it here for all to see/ digest/ enjoy (?) I'm SURE it is a blued finish, BUT. My Workshop lighting is not brilliant!
So bringing it out into Daylight WILL reveal the truth. I'm Blimmin sure it is Blued, But hey Ho, we will see soon!