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LOT 1542
Sterling Mark 1*
Lanchester Submachine
Gun with Bayonet,
Class III/NFA C&R
Fully Transferable
Machine Gun - Serial no. 23235A, 9 mm cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. 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.
CONDITION: 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.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1543
British Mark V STEN Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial
no. FF35304, 9 mm cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., black finish, hardwood stock. Introduced
in 1944, the Mark V STEN replaced the full metal construction of earlier STENs with wood
furniture, including a forward pistol grip, and also added a SMLE-style muzzle with protected
front blade and lugs compatible with the #9 Mark I socket bayonet. The rear sight is a fixed
peep, with the serial number and “Mark V” on the magazine well. The front grip is attached
with a swiveling collar in the area of the perforated heat shield, and the trigger housing is welded to the receiver tube with an “R” and “A” selector switch and a varnished wood grip. A tan canvas sling and a #9MkI bayonet are included. Magazine absent.
CONDITION: Good as refinished, with 75% of the black enamel painted finish, showing areas of bright wear, mild spotting and scattered handling marks. The wood furniture is good, with mild scuffs and scratches overall, and some mild cracking at the buttplate. The disconnector mechanism has been removed, limiting the item to full automatic operation, otherwise mechanically in good order. 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.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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