Sten Mk II
| [] | |
| sten mark II | |
| Specifications | |
| Type | Submachine Gun |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Feed System | 32 Round Magazine |
| Rate of Fire | 550 Rounds/Min |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380m/s |
| Maximum Effective Range | 100m |
History
After the fall of France Britain quickly realised it needed a submachine gun and fast. It had been purchasing as many Thompson Submachine guns as it could get its hands on. However these where expensive and there was not enough to meet demand. So Britain turned the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield who produced the Sten.
The Sten shared design features, such as its side-mounted magazine configuration, with the Royal Navy's Lanchester submachine gun, which was a copy of the German MP28. In terms of manufacture, the Lanchester was entirely different, being made of high-quality materials with pre-war fit and finish, in stark contrast to the Sten's austere execution. The Lanchester and Sten magazines were even interchangeable (though the Lanchester's magazine was longer with a 50-round capacity, compared to the Sten's 32-round capacity). The Sten used simple stamped metal components and minor welding, which required minimal machining and manufacturing. Much of the production could be performed by small workshops or in some cases by schoolboys in metal shop classes. The firearms where then assembled at the Enfield site
The sten was not without its problems. It had repudiation for jamming, caused by the magazine feed system which was copied directly from the Germans. Early marks also had no safety and the gun was known to go off occasionally when bumped. However despite sometimes poor reputation the sten gave good service through various models and inspired various other submachine designs that can still be found in armouries across the globe.
