W and F markings on TMH

[mrclark303]

Hi Tanker,

Welcome aboard, its a great forum and superb information repository on all things service rifle related .... best of all it doesn't have a certain person we have both grown rather tired of frequenting it!

[Peter Laidler]

Re your photo 39 KtK. I have the fly-press stamp used to press all the markings into the top if the magazine housing. All except the serial number of course which was mechanically pantograph engraved on as the final act before the casing was cleaned and phosphated. At the point of numbering it was 'bonded' into store and became a highly accountable part. That way, Sterling knew that a painted and numbered casing could not ever leave the factory without the correct documentation because it was a controlled and accountable item. If an 'in-the-white casing was ever recovered by the authorities outside the factory (none were.....) then it would be an un-numbered item and therefore, by definition, stolen.

At Fazakerley, 'liberated' Sten and Sterling guns were a regular feature in armed crime in Liverpool well into the 70's and many from there were recovered in Northern Ireland

[tankhunter]

I have a Magazine housing blank in the Collection. never been fitted to an SMG Casing. It has all the nomenclature on it. Except of course, a serial number!
Not been drilled for the mag catch screw shank. But has been milled out for the catch itself.

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, that's how it was done. THEN numbered immediately prior to phosphate and paint. I have the press stamp used! The stamps were made by a die maker from Birmingham and didn't last long when the factory was in full production. The crackle paint was supplied by TRIMITE.

[tankhunter]

Yes, TRIMITE. I have seen it in the past. Used on BMC Mini engine Valve Covers, in GREEN!......

[Brian Dick]

Was Trimite a baking paint like Suncorite? I've done some restorations in the past and used some different brand crackle paints that duplicate the original finish very well and seem to get harder and hold up well with time. There is modern powder coating now that is a much better finish but the "crackle" is just too fine and really doesn't duplicate the look and feel of the original finish.

[Peter Laidler]

It was the same paint and process as used on MGB dashboards. I think it was oven baked to harden it but AFTER it had crackled - if that makes sense!

[tankhunter]

It was the same paint and process as used on MGB dashboards. I think it was oven baked to harden it but AFTER it had crackled - if that makes sense!

It makes sense to Me. Cos' Im half Baked. & always crackling!.............