MK3 STEN Photographic Profile

[browningautorifle]

Old and best version

Mine's even earlier...WW2 I think.

[gsimmons]

Hope this isn't going to turn into a spout waving contest.

[Flying10uk]

Presumably your spout is intended for the U.S. type of jerry can, Jim?

Back in the 1980s my uncle was working in west Africa for a long period and did manage, totally by chance, to pick up an original WW2 German made jerry can. This can did come back with him when he finished working out there and should, hopefully, still be in my garage because he gave it to me on his return. It required a repaint and so I decided to go for the Africa Korps colour scheme because of where it was discovered. If it is still where I think it is I will see about taking a picture of it.

[bigduke6]

Hope this isn't going to turn into a spout waving contest.

You beat me to it Gary

[browningautorifle]

Presumably your spout is intended for the U.S. type of jerry can, Jim?

As far as I know, yes. There should have been a cap for the large threads and a small cap for the tube. WW2 US issue...

[tankhunter]

Hope this isn't going to turn into a spout waving contest.

Yes indeed! We really DONT Want to be seen waving 'Nozzles' about. Do We Chaps?..........

[browningautorifle]

Guess I pulled us off topic again...

[Vincent]

Guess I pulled us off topic again...

I think Peter did it two pages ago.

[browningautorifle]

Peter did it

That makes me feel better. Perhaps I didn't even know what this thread was about then...

[Sentryduty]

Perhaps I didn't even know what this thread was about then...

Here are some pictures of my MK3 STEN (U.K. deactivated). This SMG differs considerably from it's older MK2 brother in the way in which it is constructed and is often referred to by some as a "throw away" gun. While I can quite understand why this may be stated perhaps some of the interesting and original design features are not fully understood. This would have been done in this way for ease/cost-reduction of production in time and materials.

Much thought must have gone into the design of this gun by the Engineering team at Lines Brothers for example the very simple yet brilliant idea of putting an external flange along the top edge of the receiver. This doesn't just serve the purposes of providing an easy to reach and convenient area to spot weld but also in doing this it also pulls the tube (receiver) in together tight along the join. The design of the trigger housing and guard, 2 pieces of metal, is also another well thought out design. The way in which it is bent up and includes an upper ring which slips over the receiver and strengthens the rear of the receiver. It also acts to retain the top of the stock mounting. When the trigger guard is welded in place this strengthens and completes the trigger housing assembly. The apertures in the receiver appear to have been punched out when the receiver was in the flat, as would be expected, thus saving valuable machine time.

We were on about this stuff to start.