STEN gun identification please

[Spiggs]

Hi Gents

Im hoping you can help. I acquired this STEN gun about a year ago, the licence from our police has only just been granted, and I need help identifying exactly what I have here.
I assume she is Canadian by the pattern stock, however what im trying to figure out is that if she is Canadian then how did she get here.

Just to fill in the gaps I live in South Africa. I am a firearms collector. I collect Russian and German. However when this STEN presented itself I had to jump on it.
This weapon and several other weapons were found in an old military store. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, this weapon along with the others where destined to go to the smelter. I managed to save this and several other collectables at a price. Time and money, red tape etc.

I would really like to know from the experts exactly what I have here?

The weapons I managed to salvage where all war bring backs from Angola im told! I know that all the old colonies used STEN's and Sterlings. Could this have come from Zambia or Rhodesia perhaps. Someone has said that during the South Africa border war, that UNITAS used STEN guns?! Is this fact?!

All help appreciated.








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This weapon is also fully functional. No modifications have been made to her at all.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Looks like a Mk II that has been Teflon coated for the Belgian Navy. There are a few around. Good catch.

[Topfmine]

Nice neat looking Sten, looks like it's had a zinc park finish which gives a lighter grey. Doesn't look like it's Canadian by the serial number on the mag housing. The cp Mark may be a giveaway. Has a late cocking handle.

[browningautorifle]

That's not grey Parkerizing.

[gsimmons]

Also get yourself a copy Peter Laidler's book, " The Sten Machine Carbine". It'll answer most of your questions.

[Topfmine]

That's not grey Parkerizing.

Just checked some equipment in the zinc parkerizing and it matches the grey on the Sten but looking closer it looks like a grey paint finish. Cant realy tell without the piece in your hands. Did they Telfon coat weapons?

[Spiggs]

Ive had another look at the sten and the grey is not painted on.

[Peter Laidler]

It was assembled at Fazakerley in Liverpool. There were literally thousands of Sten guns sloshing around in Africa. In a recent thread here I mention of us (the UK MoD) being offered some Canadian made Sten guns by the Mine Clearance teams in the former Belgian Congo. Grey finish - Belgium...... there's very probably your answer! Incidentally, your magazines are Indian conversions to 20 rounds. Said to be more reliable than the usual capacity. Not in my limited experience if you keep them clean and find 10 standard ones that work well with your gun

Being a Sten owner I would take advantage of GSimmons suggestion (thread 5) and get that book he mentions.

Incidentally, the book is now on the verge of being sold out. Like all the Collector Grade books, he doesn't reprint and just watch the prices sky rocket. Like they say, everything is cheap - yesterday

[Topfmine]

Very good book worth the money for anyone with a Sten in their collection.

[Spiggs]

Thank you gents. Let see if I can get my hands on a copy.