Illustration showing the Sterling machine gun, 1960 (c)
Photograph, Central Office of Information, 1960 (c).
Two Sterling sub machine guns, one with fixed bayonet and stock extended, the other with sling and folded stock.
The Sterling evolved from the Patchett machine carbine. After successful commercial sales the Sterling was accepted into the British Army in 1956 and slowly replaced the aged Stens still in active use. It remained the Army's standard automatic weapon for 30 years. The magazine holds 34 9 mm cartridges. The gun can be fired with butt stock extended or folded. This type of weapon was mainly issued to NCOs and officers.
NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1992-10-144-561
Copyright/Ownership
Crown Copyright
Location
National Army Museum, Study collection
Object URL
https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1992-10-144-561