Sterling L2A3 NZ contract

[lugerfan]

Hi all,
just thought I'd upload some pics of my Sterling Mk4 L2A3. Old Spec UK Deact It was my final purchase before the Old Spec sales ban.

UK deactivated by Worldwide Arms it seems to be in pretty good condition, I'm guessing that the smooth finish is original ex works (Suncorite ?) as the markings all look nice and deep. The only negative is the horrible blob of weld on one of the barrel screws and the body (as seen in the picture), but I guess there's no fixing that.

Despite some serious effort I have failed massively over the last couple of year to pick up Guns of Dagenham (refusing to pay the £400 or more it's now going for) so its one of the weapons I don't have much info on, but from what I can work out it was made in approx. March 1959 ? (please correct or confirm if you know)

can anyone also confirm if the original NZ batch of January '59 was an order for 2000 and were they all this smooth finish? and if they ordered any more subsequently? (800 more at some point?)

The Mag it came with is the version that has "Magazine Sterling 9mm 34 Rds" on the spine, is this the correct variant for an NZ export.

One final request for help, it seem to have the ejector retaining grub screw missing, is there anyone in the UK who sells them ?

I'd be interested to know why so many of the NZ guns ended up back in the UK for deactivation, I'm guessing direct from NZ as army surplus, or did they perhaps end up back with our army first for use somehow?

many thanks

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