WW2 STEN Mk II, production details?

[Balder]

Gentlemen,

 

I own two STENs that were supplied to the Norwegian Resistance in WW2, both seemingly produced at Fazakerley - I wonder when.

 

One is serial number FK 174XX and has the non-locking (safety) bolt handle and a skeleton frame stock.

The other one is FN 474XX and has the locking bolt handle safety. It came with a T-stock.

 

Also, when was the bolt handle safety feature introduced?

 

Balder

Edited September 25, 2013 by Balder

[m3bobby]

The Mk5 'safety' cocking handle was introduced with the STEN MkV and almost immediately permitted to be retro fitted to previous marks of gun so introduced in mid 1944.

 

For your interest, the MkV became the Mk5 in Aug 1944. Prior to Aug 44 all British arms were designated Mk in Roman Numerals except for the No. which had been in the normal format since the mid 1920s i.e. Rifle No.1 MkIII became Rifle No.1 Mk3 and this explains why some Enfield Rifles and Brens upgraded post Aug 44 can seen marked like MkII/3 etc.

Edited September 25, 2013 by m3bobby

[Balder]

Thanks m3bobby.

 

This is FK 174XX, with the old bolt handle and what I believe is the old trigger mechanism bolt-on housing. As the last picture hopefully shows, the gun is marked with a crowned N over "43" which I guess means the year 1943. Wouldn't the housing have lost the bolts and holes by then? Or was it reworked in 1943? If so, why wasn't it retrofitted with the new housing?
Balder

 

Edit: I just now noticed that this housing has the dimples of the non-bolt housing as well as bolts. Transition model? Or maybe yet another example of how randomly STEN parts, made by hundreds of small and large workshops all over England, were thrown together? My third Mk II, FE 323XX also has the bolt-on version but not the dimples.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/MPs/P1140381_zpsf94b9a8e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/MPs/P1140380_zpsa0845709.jpg

Edited September 27, 2013 by Balder

[majorVPL]

Congratulations with Your MK II.

[Balder]

......Edit: I just now noticed that this housing has the dimples of the non-bolt housing as well as bolts. Transition model? Or maybe yet another example of how randomly STEN parts, made by hundreds of small and large workshops all over England, were thrown together? My third Mk II, FE 323XX also has the bolt-on version but not the dimples.

 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/MPs/P1140381_zpsf94b9a8e.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/MPs/P1140380_zpsa0845709.jpg

 

Is there really nobody who can say anything about the bolt/dimple issue on the housing?

 

Balder

[m3bobby]

The first version was just screwed in place, the second version had dimples for the Mk3 gun, the 3rd version had both screw holes and dimples so could be used on the Mk1, 2 or 3. The 4th version was shorter for the Mk5

[Balder]

Thanks m3bobby!

 

Balder

[Mk VII]

Does the barrel not have a date on it somewhere?