Patchett Machine Carbine Mk I
Sterling Engineering Company · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1944
Also known as: Patchett Mk I, Sterling Patchett, Patchett Machine Carbine
Overview
The Patchett Machine Carbine Mk I is a British 9x19mm blowback submachine gun designed by George William Patchett during the Second World War. Featuring a tubular receiver, a left-side curved magazine, a perforated barrel shroud, and a folding stock, it was first trialled in 1944 and went on to be adopted by the British Army in 1953 as the L2A1, evolving into the long-serving Sterling submachine gun family.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2700 g (95.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 686 mm (27.01") |
| Folded Length | 481 mm (18.94") |
| Barrel Length | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 34 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 390 m/s (1280 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Tubular Receiver, Side Mounted Magazine, Perforated Barrel Shroud, Folding Stock, Curved Magazine
Variants
- Sterling L2A3 — Production Model
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1953 · as L2A1
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1944-1953
Limited wartime and trials production of the Mk I; the design later entered mass production as the Sterling, with roughly 400,000 units made across all variants
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: George William Patchett
Discontinued: 1953
Notes
Retained the Patchett name on official documents even after entering British service. The curved 34-round magazine fed reliably and became a hallmark of the later Sterling series.
Background
George Patchett developed his machine carbine at the Sterling Engineering Company as a more controllable and durable replacement for the wartime Sten. A small batch of Patchett carbines reportedly saw combat use with British airborne forces at Arnhem in 1944.