Sterling L2A3 Mk IV

Description

In 1944, the British General Staff issued a specification for a new submachine gun to replace the hurriedly produced Sten. It was decided that weapon should not weigh more than six pounds (2.7 kg), should continue to fire the 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition as used in the Sten. It should also have a rate of fire of no more than 500 rpm and be sufficiently accurate to allow five consecutive shots (fired in semi-automatic mode) to hit a one-foot-square target at a distance of 100 yd (91 m).

Trials were eventually held in 1947 and up against the Sterling were entrants from Enfield, BSA and even one from Australia. The in service Sten Mk V also took part in the trails to use as a benchmark. The Sterling emerged the champion and in 1951 the order to commence production was officially placed by the Army.

It slowly stated to replace the Mk V Sten in 1953 and was named “Sub-Machine Gun L2A1”. The last non-suppressed variation was called the L2A3, however the design changes were minimal.

Sterling’s also made it into the hands of the criminal underworld, apparently with the London Kray twins also taking a liking to them. In fact so compact was their design, they were also selected as the perfect ‘blaster’ for Stormtrooper’s in the immensely popular original Star Wars film trilogy.