#StenGun

A few weeks ago while doing some research in the UK’s Imperial War Museum online archive I came across a couple of intriguing photos that sent me down a rabbit hole. The STEN gun is undeniably one of the iconic weapons of World War Two but most of its variants were severely lacking in the ergonomics department. The supremely utilitarian STEN didn’t really have a dedicated place to hold the front of the weapon. Some soldiers held the barrel nut, some held the trigger mechanism housing and some held the magazine itself. It wasn’t until the STEN MkV that a front pistol grip was added.

The Sterling submachine gun is often said to have one of the best magazines ever designed. What makes the design so special? Well, it isn’t a STEN magazine for starters. In May 1946, George Patchett patented a new curved magazine which would become one of the Sterling SMG’s most recognisable features. It addressed some of the serious shortcomings of the STEN’s magazine.

Welcome everyone to the 67th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

If you’re in London please take time to visit one of the Imperial War Museums.

Here’s another design sent in, this time for a simplified copy of the classic Sten gun. As pictured, It’s possible to construct a clone of the original bolt using only a drill and an angle grinder.