Original British WWII Sten Mk V Display Submachine Gun with Magazine and Sling – Serial 37690 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 (only on early versions), 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 aluminum dummy receiver, is fully ATF compliant as a non-gun and exactly duplicates the feel and appearance of the original. It has a lovely stove black finish on the receiver, as with most of the sten guns. The other components are blued. The condition, including the original wooden stock and pistol grip, is very good. The trigger still pulls, and the fire selector can be moved back and forth.

The upper side of the magazine housing is marked STEN MKV, with serial number 37690 (struck through) marked as well next to the overlapping “SV” marking used on the Sten MkV. The lower side of the magazine housing is marked again with serial number 37690, as well as M/78, the dispersal code for the Elkington Company, which made the housing. There is also an RTL marking, possibly a subcontractor logo. There are additional markings and broad arrow proofs on other parts of the display gun, including the mounting for the buttstock.

The Mk V is generally considered to be the best of the Sten family, 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 Mk V 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. However, this example has been fitted with a standard Sten sling in the “Two point” configuration using the barrel jacket as an attachment point. This piece includes an original magazine, where permitted. Elsewhere a deactivated magazine will be sent.

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