Sterling Parts Kit S/N

[kyle]

I was looking over my IMA Sterling parts kit and checked the serial number. It's S14527. The Dagenham book on page 136 talks about the S-prefix models but stops w/ 11067 in 1974. Assuming the same rate of production, this now-scraped gun would have been made in late 1975. What serial numbers are you guys seeing?

[MuzzleFlash]

I have KR 86609. June, 1965.

At first, I was under the impression I had a NZ surplused parts kit. However, Laidler indicates on page 136 that NZ added its own serials to the gun. Mine has only one.

Do any of you guys have any info on which countries are sourcing the parts kits? I have heard that England had a scandal with corrupt MoD officials responsible for exporting demilled guns. So in typical overreaction, they quit doing it. The current government is so anti-gun, it wouldn't do it under any circumstances.

[kyle]

Here's a pic of the serial number...

[drw]

I have read that New Zealand is the source of the kits being sold by IMA and CATCO.
"The Book" has an interesting table in the back showing the various countries and quantities of Sterlings purchased by those countries. It is interesting that the gun doesn't appear on the news. I cannot recall ever having seen one in any news video. Uzi's, MP5 and an occasional Grease Gun are the only ones that come to mind when thinking of SMG's in the news. Many of the countries which have possession of the Sterling are covered frequently by the news media.

[Vegas SMG]

Right there with you Kyle. I too wondered about the gap in the my parts number and the ones listed in the book.

[MuzzleFlash]

http://www.uziworld.com/sterlingpics/IMG_0568a.jpg

http://www.uziworld.com/sterlingpics/IMG_0572a.jpg

[M60joe]

S19821 and KR103201

[az paul]

Here, it's KR105355 from 1967.

[l2a3]

The Sterlings (L2a3s) used by NZ had the letters "NZ" followed by numbers stamped along the top of the mouth of the mag well, parallel to the body, to be viewed when the open end of the mag well was facing the reader. (at chest or waist level)

Sorry about the time delay in answering this post, but I just located this board. It is about time, a I have had my Stenling for some time and thought I was the only one who had one.

[l2a3]

The Sterlings (L2a3s) used by NZ had the letters "NZ" followed by numbers stamped along the top of the mouth of the mag well, parallel to the body, to be viewed when the open end of the mag well was facing the reader. (at chest or waist level)

Sorry about the time delay in answering this post, but I just located this board. It is about time, a I have had my Stenling for some time and thought I was the only one who had one.