Lot 1542: Sterling Mark 1* Lanchester Transferable Submachine Gun

Designed in more or less direct emulation of the German MP28-II SMG, the Lanchester was brought to production in the immediate aftermath of the Dunkirk Evacuation; Britain's need for armaments was immediate and dire, and there was no sense in ignoring a perfectly good design that could fill the need. Harkening back to the "heavy metal" generation of SMGs like the Schmeisser and the Thompson, the Lanchester was adopted by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and saw active use through the war and beyond, not completely leaving the Navy inventory until the 1970s. Wartime simplification was limited to restricting the action to full auto only and replacing the SMLE-style rear sight. Protected blade front and two-leaf rear sights, with bayonet mounting hardware riveted to the ventilated heat shield, and a brass magazine well assembly. The receiver is secure to the stock with a hinge and a quick-release lever, and the stock is patterned after the SMLE, with a set of forearm grooves, a tan canvas sling, and a brass buttplate. A SMLE-pattern bayonet is included, 16 1/2 inch OAL, 11 3/4 inch blued blade, wood grips.

Fine, with 60% of the dull arsenal blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, bright edge wear, and scattered dings and spotting. The brass show a deeply aged patina, and notable pitting is present on the bolt and bolt handle. The stock is very good, with cracking on the left side of the wrist and on the underside ahead of the trigger guard, a replaced section of wood near the hinge, along with some dents, scratches and scuffing. The bayonet shows some spotting. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.