Who assembled My Nk2 Sten ???

[tiriaq]

The Stens made for the Chinese were identical to the others made at Long Branch. Only markings differ. You will likely find that the only welds on the housing are ones centered on the front and rear of the box, continuing to close the tube portion. They might be inconspicuous, being covered by the magazine catch retainer on the rear, and the plunger and spring on the front, and nicely dressed off on the short sections of the tube. The magazine housing is formed from a single piece, not assembled with separate box and tube.

[Flying10uk]

I found these pictures of my MK2 Sten that this thread relates to taken with my 35mm film camera. The hole and slot in the stock will not take a British pattern sling in reverse as used with silenced Stens.

[Peter Laidler]

While that hole and slot was not a UK modification I am absolutely positive that it will take the reversed sten sling. Because this hole and slot was a modification to Mk3 guns at the muzzle, behind the foresight specifically to take the sling

[Flying10uk]

I did try several of my un-issued slings and they wouldn't fit because the holes were fractionally too small. I did, however, wonder if it was an Indian modification on this particular stock and it was one of their own home produced slings which was used with this stock???

[Vincent]

Have a look with a magnifying glass and see if anything is there. Looks like an 8 from here.

[Flying10uk]

Thanks, will do.

[Flying10uk]

Vincent, I tried looking with a magnifying glass as you suggested and couldn't see anything, however, by holding it under a bright light and tilting the gun to just the right angle you can indeed clearly make out a figure "8". If you hadn't of pointed it out I would never have noticed it because unless the gun is held at just the right angle under a bright light it is not visible. I have also noticed below this a fractional figure in elctro-pencil of perhaps 3/2 or 3/4? Thanks for the help chaps.

[Vincent]

One of nice things about digital photography is being able to enlarge and see small details, especially at my age. My digital camera is an old cheap five megapixel. I use it a lot more than I thought I would, as it makes posting pictures here very easy.

So just the number 8? I was wondering if there would also be an M and 7… M78 being the Elkington & Co code.

The slot in the butt is interesting. I don’t recall seeing it before. I wonder if it was used with a suppressor? Does the last letter of the serial number looks like it might have been over stamped with an S ?

[Flying10uk]

I think the idea of the slot and hole in the stock was to put the sling on in reverse for use with a silencer.