October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Fine refinished British Line Brothers manufactured Sten MK III machine gun. Marked with manufacture’s mark “LB” and serial number on underside of magazine housing, with broad arrow proofs visible on rear receiver cup. Shoulder loop retains “29091” number on left side. One 32 round lustrous blued magazine is included. The Sten machine gun is a very simple and straightforward machine gun made mostly of metal stamped parts. It was far less costly, $10.00 U.S. in 1942 and quicker to produce than any of the previous sub-machine guns the British had fielded. The Mark III model was an even less costly to produce successor to the Mark II model with simplified attachment of the magazine housing and sheet metal shroud which covered the barrel. They were produced in great numbers for WW 2, but finding an original Curio and Relic specimen registered in the United States in uncommon. Manufacturer’s block on approved incoming registration form states, “England”. There is no doubt our G.I.’s tended to avail themselves of captured enemy weapons far more often than weapons of our allies, which, of course had to be accounted for by the Soldiers they were issued to. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish near excellent gray parkerized refinish with some bluing salt residue on the shoulder loop joint which could be easily removed with a brush. Magazine has a lustrous blue refinish. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is extremely fine shiny and bright. Bolt face is extremely fine. This is a select fire machine gun. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2019-10-138