mitchell6776 Posted December 6, 2018 Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 My Lanchester has S203 stamped on the tube. I assume this is a wartime manufacturers code, similar to a Sten. There doesn't seem to be a great deal of information out there on lanchesters. Any idea who S203 is? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell6776 Posted December 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2018 Sorry- typo. The code is S230. I have seen one other Lancaster with this code on the tube, although it was a deactivated gun for sale in England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyDixon Posted December 7, 2018 Report Share Posted December 7, 2018 why dont you get a copy of the guns ofdagenham, collector grade publications, will answer all your questions about lanchesters, just sayn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3bobby Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 Can you post a photo of the marking? Is it definitely a wartime code? There were only 4 assembly plants, Sterling with code S109 and M619, Boss with S156 and Greener with M94. There were contractors providing parts but I think the tube was produced at the plants rather than by a sub contractor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 various codes were used on certain parts. I see an S203 on mine on the trigger housing, S271 on the bayonet lug, S95 on the front lug/sight, various codes on the mag housing in including the BOSS marking, and a mfr of MECO just in front of the trigger on the tube itself. Also an MG2657 on the front site band. I don't think it was original to the gun though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3bobby Posted December 8, 2018 Report Share Posted December 8, 2018 MG2657 is a post war British number so your gun was probably still in British service in to the 50s and 60s. MECO is the Mills Equipment COmpany, an unusual maker mark to find on a steel part as they made webbing. BOSS is a scarce manufacture, I have one myself, I think they only made about 3 to 4000 guns in total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell6776 Posted December 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2018 I'll try to post a photo of my Lanchester. I can't find "the guns of dagenham" for less than 450.00, and without knowing how good it is I don't want to shell out that much for a book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell6776 Posted December 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2018 I'm apparently not smart enough to post a photo... Can anyone give me some guidance on this? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanDavid Posted December 9, 2018 Report Share Posted December 9, 2018 From the above comments. S203 Hampton Timber Co, Castle House, Hampton, Middlesex.S230 Albert Mann's Engineering , Hornchurch Rd, Romford, Essex.S271 S.L.M. Aircraft Components, 512-522 Streatham High Road, SW16, LondonS95 G. D. Peters & Co, Windsor Works, Slough, Bucks. Occasionally, some of these company's are still in existence. Also,if you have the exact address and the building is still there and the street/road numbers have not changed you may be able to see the building with, Google Street View. Regards AlanDSydney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchell6776 Posted December 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2018 Many thanks. May I ask where you found this information? Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted December 10, 2018 Report Share Posted December 10, 2018 Gentlemen, thank you as well. A lot of the numbers are pretty obscure until you start hunting for them and the thread was a great motivation to do so. M3bobby, I sent you a PM, but I'll throw it out here.....anyone know of any source for the instructions on setting up, loading, and winding Bren MK1 drums? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanDavid Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Many thanks. May I ask where you found this information? Matt A book by Ian Skennerton. British Small Arms of World War 2. Well worth getting as it has lots of info on makers and contracts for British small arms in WW2, taken from the big contract ledgers in the National Archives in London. Regards AlanDSydney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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