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sten Mk2
sten Mk2
Sten is a British submachine gun developed in 1941 during World War II as a simple and cheap weapon to manufacture. The name "Sten" is derived from the names of the designers — Shepard and Turpin, as well as from the designation of the manufacturer (Enfield). The submachine gun uses a 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, which makes it compatible with captured German weapons and ammunition.
Sten has a simple design with free-shutter automation, which allows it to be produced quickly and in large quantities. The Sten magazine is most often boxed, with 32 rounds, located on the side, which has become one of its distinctive features. The submachine gun is compact and lightweight, which makes it convenient for use in close combat and by amphibious troops. Despite its simplicity, Sten was criticized for being unreliable and prone to accidental shots, especially in early models. It was actively used by British troops, as well as passed on to resistance movements in occupied Europe due to its cheapness and simplicity.
The Sten was produced in various versions, including the Mk I, Mk II (the most popular version) and Mk V with improved trim and butt. Despite its flaws, the Sten became one of the symbols of British military production during the Second World War.
Photos of the constructor:
The photo of Reginald Shepard was not found.
Main Features:
Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum.
Barrel length: 196 mm (depending on the modification).
Total length: 760 mm (with unfolded butt).
Weight: 3.2 kg (without cartridges).
Working principle: free shutter, shooting with an open shutter.
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds (box magazines were used).
Effective firing range: up to 100 meters.
Muzzle velocity of the bullet: about 365 m/s.
Aiming devices: a front sight and a simple unregulated rear sight.
Rate of fire: 500-600 rounds per minute.
Other features:
Simplicity of design: Sten has been designed to produce as quickly and cheaply as possible. It could be produced even in small workshops, which made it ideal for wartime use.
Cheapness: the cost of production was extremely low, which made it possible to produce it in huge quantities.
Reliability: Despite its simplicity, the Sten was a fairly reliable weapon, especially after the refinement of early models.
Magazine: Single-row box magazines were used, which were sometimes prone to jamming (especially in early versions).
Modifications: There were many modifications of the Sten, including:
Mk I: the first version with wooden fittings and expansion joint.
Mk II: the most popular version, simplified and more reliable.
Mk III: an even more simplified version with an all-in-one barrel and casing.
Mk V: An improved version with a wooden handle and butt, as well as a bayonet mount.
Combat use: Sten was widely used by British troops as well as resistance forces in occupied Europe. Its compactness and the possibility of concealed carrying made it popular among the guerrillas.
Produced: about 4-4.5 million copies.
Advantages:
Simple design and low production cost.
Compact and lightweight, making it convenient to carry and use.
High rate of fire and magazine capacity.
The possibility of mass production in conditions of war.
Disadvantages:
Moderate accuracy due to the simplicity of the design and the short barrel.
The tendency to delay due to contamination or insufficient maintenance.
The unusual location of the magazine (on the side) could make it difficult to fire in some positions.
Limited effective range (up to 100 meters).
Interesting facts:
The cost of one STEN Mk II was $5 (about $90 today), which is 10 times cheaper than the American Thompson.
It had an open bolt, a barrel made of ordinary steel pipe, and a minimum number of parts. It was even assembled in garages and workshops.
He used a 32-round magazine (9×19 mm Parabellum) copied from the German PP – the British captured the drawings in Norway.
Captured Stens were used by the Wehrmacht and the SS, and in 1944 the Germans even began producing a clone called the MP 3008.
The STEN Mk II(S) with a silencer was used by the SAS and Special Operations Command for silent liquidations.
Photo:
A Warsaw rebel armed with a British STEN submachine gun watches German troops, 1944
Author: Evgeniusz Lokajski
French partisans are trained in the use of small arms, 1944
Canadian Corporal Gavey D. Koiso with his squad on the side of the road north of Arnhem (Netherlands), 1945
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