BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF THE STEN MKII SMG

The purpose and scope of this instructional manual is to present a step-by-step procedure for building the STEN MK II submachine gun, using for its foundation a commercially purchased STEN MK II parts kit. The method presented in this text incorporates the use of a RECEIVER TEMPLATE which enables even the most inexperienced builder to achieve professional results in constructing the STEN SMG.

The STEN MK II SMG is a conventional type second generation submachine gun being chambered for the 9 mm cartridge. The origins of the STEN go back to the early days of WWII, a time when Great Britain was desperately fighting for survival. Great Britain had prior to that time tested various SMG designs, but had little real interest in arming its forces to any large degree with this type weapon. American made 1928 THOMPSON .45 SMG's were being imported early in the war of 1939, but it was an expensive and complicated weapon to build, and a replacement was sought. Another important factor was that the German U-Boat campaign in the North Atlantic was having a devastating effect on allied shipping, many of the LEND-LEASE THOMPSON'S destined for Britain resting in watery graves.

The British evacuation of Dunkirk in June 1940 left the expeditionary force in a desperate situation since during the hasty retreat many of its weapons were lost to the Germans. The success of the German MP-28 SMG was noted by the British, and a quickly designed version incorporating many of the same features as the MP-28 was put into production. The new weapon was the LANCHESTER MKI, a reliable and robust weapon bearing a strong resemblance to the MP-28. At this point the traditional English quality was still present, featuring polished blue steel, a walnut stock, polished brass buttplate, and brass magazine housing. This weapon was still much too slow and expensive to produce considering the gravety of the situation, and work began designing a replacement for the LANCHESTER even before the first production models were completed.

The following generation of British SMG's introduced a new concept in submachine gun design and manufacture. The STEN family evolved through the course of WWII, the basic design being developed by Reginald V. Shep-perd, Director of the Birmingham Small Arms Company, and Harold J. Turpin, the principal designer in conjunction with Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield where the STEN was first produced.