Original British WWII Sten Mk V Display Submachine Gun with Magazine, Foregrip & Sling – Serial 169222 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, as with most of the sten guns. The condition, including the original wooden stock and pistol grip, is very good.

The upper side of the magazine housing is marked M/78, the dispersal code for the Elkington Company, which made the housing. To this left of this is an R.F.I. / F.R. / 1963 marking, which indicates servicing at Rifle Factory Ishapore during the post war period. The barrel jacket is also marked R.F.I..

The lower side of the magazine housing is marked STEN MKV, with serial number 169222 marked as well next to the overlapping “SV” marking used on the Sten MkV. There are other markings on the magazine housing, but they are very faint, so we cannot make them out. There are additional markings 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. It also is fitted with a very nice reproduction early pattern foregrip, to complete the “commando” look.

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