sten gun

[Brit plumber]

I don't think the Finns STEN guns were issued out of military stock. They were surplus so probably the crap we wanted to get rid of. They were in poor state so the Finns refurbed the majority and canabalised those beyond repair.

[mrclark303]

I don't think the Finns STEN guns were issued out of military stock. They were surplus so probably the crap we wanted to get rid of. They were in poor state so the Finns refurbed the majority and canabalised those beyond repair.

Thanks for the info They are quite the mixed bag that's for sure, ex Fin British / Longbranch Mk2's and Mk3's can be encountered, I bet they paid little more than scrap value, probably bought by the Ton!

[Flying10uk]

I will do some pictures of my MK3 Sten and Post. My example has clearly been refinished but I'm not certain if it was done during it's military service or by a keen collector/owner since deactivation. There is a small area of the receiver that has, at one time, been badly corroded because deep pitting can be seen. The rust must then have been removed/treated and the whole gun repainted.

[mrclark303]

I look forward to seeing it, I have had a few Mk3's over the years and will try to find the pics on my office system, trouble is after so many system upgrades over the years the "migrated data" isn't always where you think it should be..

[mrclark303]

Found one of them, sold it some years back.

I bought it in a rather tatty condition and refurbished her. She had the bolt safety slot mod, (two tabs welded onto the tube, above and below the the bolt handle slot, top tab also has a clearance slot cut through the spine, so the bolt could be physically held away from the breech face via a thin piece of sprung steel fed through them). I have seen a couple of others modified in this way over the years.

I don't know who modified them this way, I guess some foreign operator for safe vehicle transport, seems the most logical reason to me.

[Peter Laidler]

I'd like to see a close up of this spring loaded safety mod Clarkie. To be honest I see no point in 'improving' on the A class safety modification whereby the cocking handle is pushed through the casing. That way, the bolt is locked (forwards) and the gun is safe and cannot be jolted to fire it. Whether the bolt is held slightly rearwards makes no difference whatever.

You COULD argue that by being slightly to the rear you could look and see that the chamber was empty. Yes, you could...... But if the bolt was fully forwards and locked, then by default, the chamber MUST be empty, simply because as the bolt goes forwards, the gun fires. And if it ain't fired then locking it slightly rearwards doesn't solve nor prove anything.

I always remember those words '.......very little was expected of the Mk3 Sten. But of that very little, it gave quite a lot'

[mrclark303]

Morning Peter,

I will try to find some more pics, but don't hold out much hope, these were buried way, way back in my achieved files. I never really understood the reason for the mod ether, but I have seen a couple of others modified this very way over the last 10 years and just can't fathom a good reason for it.

I just came to the conclusion it was a "foreign minded" modification..

Why don't we keep these things, I really wish I kept a nice example of a Mk3 for my own collection. I think they are quite brilliant pieces of austere design and prove what can be done when the pressure is really applied!

I will attempt to find more pics later today.

ps, should have said three tabs brazed on not two

[Vincent]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I enlarged the safety mod so Peter could get a better look while you’re searching.







It looks like it’s intended to keep the breech block forward. Is it possible it was done before the safety cocking handle mod?

[browningautorifle]

First Mk3 I've seen in some time. I agree that the safety that engages the bolt handle would be the best. The idea of holing the bolt back will allow garbage to collect inside.

[mrclark303]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I enlarged the safety mod so Peter could get a better look while you’re searching.

Thanks for that Vincent, I can't find the other pics anywhere, I do have pics from two other examples I have owned in the past (when I can find them), one was ex Finnish the other a standard issue example.

---------- Post added at 03:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

It looks like it’s intended to keep the breech block forward. Is it possible it was done before the safety cocking handle mod?

Now that's a very possible solution to the conundrum!