Original British WWII Sten Mk V Display Submachine Gun with 1945-dated Sling Original Items

Original Item: Only one available. Introduced in 1944, the Mk V was essentially a better-quality, more elaborate version of the Mk 2. Changes included a wooden pistol grip, a vertical wooden fore grip, a wooden stock, and a bayonet mount. There was a No4 Lee–Enfield foresight and the weapon was of better quality manufacture and finish than the Mk2 and Mk3. The Sten bandolier issued to paratroopers held seven full magazines.

Another variant of the Mk V had a swivel stock and rear sight mirror intended for firing around corners in urban warfare, similar to the Krummlauf developed by the Germans for the StG 44.

This example constructed from original parts on a new made solid receiver, is fully ATF compliant as a non-gun and exactly duplicates the feel and appearance of the original. It is finished in the stove black used on most British small arms of the Second World War. The condition, including the original wooden stock, is very good.

The upper side of the magazine housing is marked M/78, while the under side is marked STEN MK V with a Broad Arrow to indicate Royal Ordnance acceptance. M/78 is the manufacturer code for the Elkington Company, which made the housing. The underside of the housing is marked SV 48606. SV is short for Sten Mk V. Comes complete with an original WWII Issue sten sling marked ROVER ’45, and magazine (where permitted).

The Mk V is generally considered to be the best of the Sten family, if not the most well-appointed, and was most extensively issued to airborne troops. It is widely represented in British hands in the film A Bridge Too Far. Combat photographs of British airborne troops show how extensive the use of the Mk5 was.

The Mk V was designed to use an Enfield rifle sling so that it could be supported with the sling around the soldier’s neck as was developed for the early Thompson Lend-Lease deliveries to Britain. This in fact represents the origin of the “assault sling” configuration, which is used almost universally today.

A fine original display gun fully approved by BATF to be non-functional and totally legal without any type of license.