October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Chinese manufactured in 1954 as a pre-production miniature piece when the Chinese were exploring producing copies of the STEN themselves. The Chinese contracted an American Ordnance officer in China as a consultant to gearing up for production. Marking on top of magazine housing indicates Chinese 44th arsenal. Unfortunately, only 6 of these miniatures were ever produced. The American Ordnance officer production consultant brought this specimen into the United States clandestinely and registered it during the 1968 amnesty period. It is unknown to this cataloger if any of the others made it here, but perhaps. Springs are good and taut and the magazine housing rotates like the original. Shoulder loop slips on and off, and the longtime owner who purchased this gun from the Ordnance Officer who brought it back states that it runs. One magazine is included with this gun as well as the leather covered wooden case which this miniature came in. Case looks vintage to the gun. This miniature has no selector so it is a full-auto only machine gun. In the NFA registry with manufacturer, as simply “STEN”. Measures 15" from tip of barrel to rear of stock. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine original nickel finish with some flaking of the nickel to reveal some brown patina on the barrel and a couple spots on the receiver tube. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is near excellent shiny and bright. Bolt face near excellent. Magazine very clean with some flaking of nickel revealing brown patina. This is quite an attractive little piece which should have appeal across several collector spectrums. Very conservatively estimated relative to how neat this item really is! 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 2019-10-150
Accessories
1 Magazine and vintage carrying/display case
Manufacturer
44th Chinese Arsenal