What to look for when buying a transferable sten

[rssc]

I am looking to buy a transferable in the near future. Of the two guns I am interested in, one is the Sten. What are the various locations in which the serial number can be located on a tube gun? How does the location of these markings impact the ability to convert the gun down the road to a Sterling or other gun? Is there a difference in value of the gun based on the location of the markings?

Thanks for the info all!!

 

[K2]

Hi rssc, I'll give it a shot. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I get it wrong.

Sten - S/N on receiver (the tube) it is my understanding that a "Stenling" conversion is ok. I'm not sure that a full Sterling conversion can be done on a Sten receiver as BATF has had some problems with welding up the cocking slot and re-cutting for the Sterling.

Sten - S/N not on the receiver (the tube). Some folks claim that the original manufacturer can move the S/N. I don't know so I will not comment. If the S/N is not on the tube, the receiver would not be a candidate for a conversion (as it has no S/N on it). Of course you can try anything you want. Old saying, play stupid games win stupid prizes. (Note: Some C&R Sten's have the S/N on the magazine well. Nobody in the 40's contacted BATF as to the correct location for the S/N, just talking foolish here. Just that S/N's have been all over the place on these guns.)

Price difference? I'd not be concerned if the gun is going to be unaltered. If it is to be cut-up into something else, the S/N not on the receiver would be a non-starter for me.

BTW, one thing some folks forget is that the "Model" box on the form will never change. You can try but BATF is using what was on the initial registration. That being said, if you convert a Sten Mk2 into a Lanchester, MP-28, or Stenling your paperwork will still say Sten MK2.

Above is my humble opinion. YMMV,

Enjoy,

K2

 

[ferndog1]

Sten to Sterling article

A Magnificient Conversion: Crafting a Sterling SMG

By William R. Bishop

archive.smallarmsreview.com

Sten to Lanchester

The British Lanchester Reborn!

By Frank Iannamico

archive.smallarmsreview.com

 

[Sebastian]

I wouldn’t get a Sten. I think they’re kinda trash. Maybe not trash but I don’t care for them.

If I did I’d make sure the serial number is on the receiver and convert it to a stenling or stenchester. The other serial locations can’t be used as a stenling or Chester conversion.

 

[KickStand]

I wouldn’t get a Sten. I think they’re kinda trash. Maybe not trash but I don’t care for them.

If I did I’d make sure the serial number is on the receiver and convert it to a stenling or stenchester. The other serial locations can’t be used as a stenling or Chester conversion.

Ain’t nothing wrong with a Sten. Frankly, I really enjoy shooting my two. If I’m being honest, it’s one of my favorites to shoot.

I agree with the serial number being in the receiver for a conversion though.

Side note for “Model”, my Stens are both marked MKII on the form 4s. Sten is not mentioned, at least not on my two. I was kinda surprised they didn’t say Sten on the model.

 

[StenAtopia]

Ain’t nothing wrong with a Sten. Frankly, I really enjoy shooting my two. If I’m being honest, it’s one of my favorites to shoot.

I agree with the serial number being in the receiver for a conversion though.

Side note for “Model”, my Stens are both marked MKII on the form 4s. Sten is not mentioned, at least not on my two. I was kinda surprised they didn’t say Sten on the model.

You can do a lot with a Sten, even use them in subgun comps.

 

[KickStand]

Check this out!

My STEN LMG

I was bored so I added a bipod to my STEN Soumi barrel to make a LMG. It's a surplus Bren bipod that I got for a good price. I used a bit of a Bren barrel carry handle piece for the part that goes around the barrel shroud which by luck had an ID that was perfect for the OD of the Soumi barrel...

www.uzitalk.com

I don’t think anything he did, was a permanent modification.

 

[skoda]

That's right, no permanent mods.

I love shooting my STEN. It has a great rate of fire and is quite reliable. It's the one gun that I almost always take to the range.

But I have to say that until I added the Soumi stock it wasn't my favorite gun. The biggest problem with the STEN is ergonomics and that stock fixed most of it. Later I made up a wooden forearm for it which is better but not as wonderful as I would like it to be.

I can highly recommend getting a STEN but if you want a Sterling then just go for one of those and save the hassle and cost of the conversion. My friend has a Stenling and it's a better gun to shoot than my STEN. I built my STEN from a registered tube. I could have gone with the Stenling but it's a one trick pony type of thing and I've had a lot of fun making accessories for the STEN that I wouldn't have had with a Stenling.

Some of the different configurations that I've tried over the years:

 

[rssc]

Hey guys, I want to thank everyone for their input. It has all been very interesting.

As far as my looking for a sten, I don't have any intention of converting it to a stenling or Lanchester. However, if all things are equal price wise, might as well go for the one that is marked on the body and gives more flexibility down the road.

Do you guys think sten guns that are marked on the body sell for more money than guns that are marked on the magwell or lower? There are several sten guns available now, from dealers and individuals. From what I can see, none of them look to be marked on the tube (and none of them appear to be selling).

 

[skoda]

I have never seen any price difference for different markings. Sometimes you can get/pay a little more for certain makers of tubes because some are supposed to be better made but I don't think that it holds much water or makes a big difference in the real world. Overall condition would be a bigger factor.

Your original post talked about converting to a Sterling. I wouldn't go down that path unless you had a super good reason. You have a good chance on screwing up a valuable receiver to get something that you can buy already. Try to shoot one of each and then decide.

 

[rssc]

I have never seen any price difference for different markings. Sometimes you can get/pay a little more for certain makers of tubes because some are supposed to be better made but I don't think that it holds much water or makes a big difference in the real world. Overall condition would be a bigger factor.

Your original post talked about converting to a Sterling. I wouldn't go down that path unless you had a super good reason. You have a good chance on screwing up a valuable receiver to get something that you can buy already. Try to shoot one of each and then decide.

I really don't have any desire to buy a sten to convert it to another gun. I shot a buddies sten (on this thread) and really liked it for what it is. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

I suppose I am interested in knowing what can be converted and what can't, more from a perspective of flexibility down the road and getting a gun that may have more value (if not monetary then maybe the degree to which it is desirable) due to the way it is marked. If they are all priced roughly the same then why not go for the configuration that has the most value (even if that value isn't reflected in the sale price).

 

[Sebastian]

You might be on to something. I went ahead and looked and it appears that the stens that are on the market, are NOT marked in the receiver (I could’ve missed a few but I did look). Maybe a lot the receivers marked stens have been converted to StenLing.

Kinda unusual. Also, the stens seem to have went up a good chunk since I last looked.

 

[rssc]

You might be on to something. I went ahead and looked and it appears that the stens that are on the market, are NOT marked in the receiver (I could’ve missed a few but I did look). Maybe a lot the receivers marked stens have been converted to StenLing.

Kinda unusual. Also, the stens seem to have went up a good chunk since I last looked.

You are correct. Stens have gone from 7-8k to 10-11k in a matter of a few months. The thing is, I don't know if those guns that are priced at 10-11k now are sitting unsold because they aren't marked on the tube or because the market for Stens is softening due to the recent run up in price. I did see a few sell at the higher price point a couple months ago. I don't recall how those were marked. I wasn't paying much attention to the markings at that time.

Having said all that I said above, of the non converted stens that are out there, I don't know how many are marked on the tube compared to those that are marked on the magwell or the lower.

 

[brenbuilds]

STENS are great. I have a Mk. II and a Mk. V that I shoot regularly. They are simple and easy to work on and replace parts. The biggest weak point is the magazine, however, magazines are inexpensive and many can be repaired by changing the magazine spring ( If the spring is shorter than 12.5 inches it needs replacing.

They suppress well and there are 5 inch barrels available from KAK that make a Mk. II with a T stock very compact. Typically these guns will digest any ammo you run through them. Parts are cheap and you will never wear a receiver out.

As for conversions, Don Quinel in central Fl. apparently still does STENLING conversions.

 

[boomer535]

Most transferable Stens were made after the GCA of 1968. Machineguns were banned from importation under the GCA 68. After 68 Stens were made with imported parts kits and American made receiver tubes. These guns are called tube guns and the serial number was stamped on the receiver tubes. Original Stens had their serial numbers stamped on their magazine housings. My Sten MKII was a tube gun made from a parts kit of a Sten that was made at the Fazakerly Arms plant in Liverpool England. The company who made the receiver used the same serial number that was on the magazine housing of the parts kit the gun was made from so it has the serial numbers stamped on the magazine housing and receiver tube. Generally original Stens bring more money the the tube guns. Canadian made original Stens bring the most money.

 

[hacker]

One of the reasons tube guns are cheaper is that you usually have no idea who actually did the build. Guys like DLO registered a lot of tubes, but other people finished many of them. Some are in spec and reliable and some are not. I have seen some that have booger welds that look like Jr. High school shop class.

Original receivers run like they should, look better, and have authentic history. They are not used for Sterling conversions for those reasons and cost.

 

[skoda]

Original receivers run like they should, look better, and have authentic history. They are not used for Sterling conversions for those reasons and cost.

My friend has a Sterling made from an original Sten but it was imported after 1968 and so is a dealer sample class gun. It's a really nice SMG but it's a shame that an original Sten was wrecked to make it.