Sten Mk I
Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1941
Also known as: Sten Machine Carbine Mk I, Sten Gun Mk I
Overview
The Sten Mk I is a 9x19mm submachine gun developed in Britain in 1941 as an inexpensive, rapidly manufactured answer to wartime weapon shortages. The first production model of the Sten family, it operated on a simple open-bolt blowback action and fed from a 32-round side-mounted magazine. Compared with later marks, the Mk I retained more refined features including a conical flash hider, a wooden handguard, a folding forward grip and a partial wooden stock, which were progressively eliminated to speed production.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3270 g (115.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 895 mm (35.24") |
| Barrel Length | 198 mm (7.80") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 366 m/s (1201 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 499 J (368 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 540 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
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: Bolt Locking Slot
- Features: Side Mounted Magazine, Wooden Handguard, Folding Foregrip, Conical Flash Hider, Open Bolt Operation
Variants
- Sten Mk I* — Simplified
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1941 · as Sten Machine Carbine Mk I
- Canadian Army · adopted 1941
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 100,000 · Production years: 1941-1942
Approximately 100,000 Mk I and Mk I* guns produced before manufacture transitioned to the simpler Mk II
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Reginald V. Shepherd and Harold J. Turpin
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
Roughly 100,000 Mk I and simplified Mk I* guns were built before production shifted to the radically simplified Sten Mk II. The Mk I* deleted the flash hider, wooden furniture and folding foregrip.
Background
Sten is an acronym formed from the initials of its designers, Shepherd and Turpin, combined with En for the Enfield factory. The first prototype, marked T-40/1, was hand-built by Harold Turpin in 36 days during the winter of 1940-1941 as Britain scrambled to arm itself after Dunkirk.