Frank I.

See if you can find the book on eBay, they have very inexpensive shipping rates for overseas orders. You only have to pay to have it shipped to a distribution center here in the US. and no customs forms to fill out. There are 3 editions the latest 3rd edition is a hard cover and has color pictures. If you can't find one let me know and I will put a copy on eBay for you.

Here is a link to the current bidding of the NFA guns 25 pages https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/catalog.aspx?auctionid=643&sessionid=2

Possibly an amnesty registered M2? I have seen countries listed on many foreign guns and even "unknown". Knowledge of machine guns was scarce until books were published and then the internet.

In Laider's Sten book its stated that MKIIs were Parkerized, MKIII (I had several kits all were blued) MK 5 painted black

Those used to be rare until a few years ago when MKIII kits were imported and many had bronze bolts. I bought 3 MKIII kits @ $49.00 each all had bronze bolts, not too many other useful parts in a MKIII kit (for a MK2) (all kits/sold long gone)

The online bidding has started for the December Firearms and Militaria auction... a few Thompsons available Online catalog link https://issuu.com/morphyauctions/docs/flipdoc_dec_11-13_firearms?fr=sMzU0MzY0OTU4MTA

The recoil is BRUTAL, I have taken videos of friends shooting mine with the Coast Guard brake and without it, there is not a lot of difference, muzzle rise isn't the problem it is the recoil.

That engraving looks very suspect. IMHO FAKE!!

Charlie Erb, a Class 2 MG manufacturer, used to build Stens up until the ban in 1986, using new receiver tubes and surplus parts kits. He sold them for $150.00 plus a $200.00 Federal Transfer tax. Today, with a fixed supply and growning demand, due in part to the internet, Sten "tube" guns are now $10,000.00 USD. Before the internet, legal machine gun ownership in the U.S. was not widely known. ATF has allowed Sten tubes to be used for making a Sterling SMG or a Lanchester.

The late Mike Free once owned that 30-06 Thompson. He never fired it either. There are pictures of it in all editions of the American Thunder books. Who is the guy in the video?

Yes, and I got to fondle it : - ) (The Sten #1) Picture of Peter Laidler

I took these pictures at the British Small Arms School in 2012, Peter Laidler got us into the small arms room. Note the picture of the MKII Sten in the case it does not appear to have "tabs" attached to the side of the receiver like mine in posts above (it is a real gun) Also at the school they had Sten s/n 1

Yes, Years ago hiding the markings on tube guns was legal and no depth requirements I have seen them etched with an electric pencil. But the Sten pictured is a Pre-May dealer sample, its not a tube gun. Form reads: "Imported as a sales sample"

The safety slot is on the top, its not an MKI. The serial number on the form 3 is the same one on the magazine housing, there are no markings on the receiver tube.

The way machine guns are generally bought and sold...sight-unseen, you have to take the word of the seller, which is usually accurate but not always. As already suggested, attend one of the Thompson show-shoots and look at some guns, often there are Thompsons offered for sale at those events, BE PATIENT. The following text, M1 refers to both GI M1 and M1A1 models. Most suggestions below apply to WWII GI Savage or A-O Bridgeport guns, not West Hurly M1s. If you have questions about West Hurly Thompsons, buy Tom Davis' book on the subject. As far as M1-M1A1s Thompsons' most important is the condition of the registered part, the receiver. Look for any evidence of welding, or cracks (check the rear of the receiver) and my personal deal-killer, pitting from rust, look for sharp crisp markings. Almost every M1 Thompson you encounter will have been bead-blasted and refinished (often more than once) by the Ordnance Dept, dealers, and individuals. M1 -M1A1 Thompsons were originally finished with Dulite that will have, after 80 years, a gray appearance (under bright light Dulite will have a gray-blue appearance) the barrels were a dull blue color. (if you look in American Thunder III there are pictures of new M1s) Most refinished guns have a Parkerized gray-green color, it is not a deal killer on M1s unless you are a purist collector. The original bolts were "nickel-silver" in color, replacement bolts were blued. After WWII, most GI weapons were rebuilt and put into storage. Most of the original-finish M1s are in Europe, after the war ended, most cities were devastated, and there was no money for refurbishing weapons. As far as mechanics, M1 Thompsons are pretty tough, if any internal parts are worn (generally sears or extractors) they are available and easily replaced. You will seldom encounter a worn barrel, bulged barrels are more common. Look for a ring (circle) in the bore, or bulges can usually be felt by running your fingers along the outside of the barrel. GI barrels can still be found and easily replaced, it is not hard to find a Thompson enthusiast who has a barrel wrench at one of the Thompson shows. I suppose it's possible that an M1 Thompson could be worn out to the point of being unserviceable, but I have never encountered one.

I am PLANNING on going...

Wrong gun, this one is a Pre-MAY DS, I'm sure it has been refinished

CORRECTION This is a Pre-may DS, not a C&R Sten, has no side "tabs" present to weld the trigger frame to the sides of the receiver. The (inside) front of the trigger frame is (crudely) welded to the tube. I have seen and photographed a fair number of Stens, but all had the trigger frame attached to the sides receiver with welded tabs. The s/n begins with the letter F Fazakerly mfg./assembly Any input is appreciated! Frank

yes

[ SOLD ] You must be logged in to contact the seller. Price: $27,995.00 Type: None Location: Missouri Class: Class Three

Those are all Chinese-made Thompsons look at the sling attachment around the (longer, 46-fin) barrel. Probably copied from Colt guns because of the knurled selector and safety and the no-hole mag catch. PLUG... from the book American Thunder III

Lanchester article with select-fire control lever http://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1705

The blocks don't provide a lot of info. Look for a stamp like the one pictured the key is U.S. Code 5844(1). Of my 3 of 9 that were confirmed as transferable all 3 had a rubber stamp on the forms that included 5844(1) Code. (The FOIA forms) The 5844(3) Code is for dealer samples.

No comparison, the BAR is a good bit heavier, thus easier to control, I cannot shoot an M14 like that. Its not so much muzzle rise as it is recoil. I also have the M14E2 stock, bipod, and muzzle comp, which doesn't help much. The pistol grip on the E2 stock, FN FAL and G3 does help with control. I admit I am somewhat spoiled by mostly shooting M16s and subguns.

I have a DS H&R M14 and an LIA1, I had an HK G3. My comment is simply... shoot a .308 / 7.62 on full auto before you buy one. That being said, I like M14s for their history and being U.S. issue, but 90 countries adopted the FAL only one adopted the M14 In my book, there is lots of info on both rifles including the T48 (US FAL) and early attempts at making the M1 Garand full auto, as well as all the weapons developed and tested for the 1950s "Light Rifle Program"