Markings and Spares

Sterling Armament Company produced approximately 16,000 military contract L2A3 submachine guns between 1956 and 1959. At the same time, a government owned facility, Royal Ordnance Factories Fazakerley, secretly started their own production, cutting into Sterling’s business. After a lengthy court battle, it was decided, ROF Fazakerley could finish the Ministry of Defense’s order requirements, while Sterling would get exclusive rights to market and sell the gun overseas. This export gun became known as the commercial MK4 with distinctive wrinkle coat paint finish and markings.

Fazakerley’s output was approximately 164,000 guns between 1956 and 1960-at which time the production line was permanently closed down. Tooling, fixtures, equipment, scrap receiver casings & parts were purchased by Sterling.

Sterling continued to supply spare parts and magazines to the MoD up until 1988 as a sole source supplier. The markings and marking requirements between the two gun manufacturers varied widely. For example, commercial barrels were proofed at the London Proof House while UK military contract barrels and breech blocks were all proofed at RSAF Enfield. For the most part, inspector and acceptance stamps are widely used during individual component production and final assembly. When Sterling commercial parts were sent to the MoD for use as spares, they could have additional acceptance markings applied by the MoD.

Early 1956 Sterling Company (US) magazine housing. Induction brazed to the receiver casing.. Checkered magazine catch screw. CR 53 GA is the Ministry of Supply part number for the entire gun. The full number would be B3/CR 53 GA.
B3 is the vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores category (A No. 4 rifle would be B1/CR xxxx)
CR is the Ministry of Supply category for weaponry
53 is the consecutive number
GA is General Assembly
1856 is the serial number

Early 1957 Fazakerly (UF) production. Housing is welded to the receiver casing and smoothly finished. Checkered magazine catch screw. Note bevel cut underneath catch on top edge of housing. CR 53 GA Ministry of Supply number.

1958 Fazakerly. Bevel cut visible to the left of release catch hole. Faint government inspectors marks in lower right corner. Housing still very similar to Sterling’s design despite severe production problems attaching housing to the receiver.

Late 1958 Fazakerly revision showing new flanged style housing. Numerous inspector, acceptance markings in lower right corner. Bevel cut edge.

1958 Sterling L2A3. NATO number, checkered magazine catch and inspector/acceptance marks at lower right corner.

1959, the final year of Fazakerly L2A3 production. Flange is induction brazed to receiver casing, bevel cut edge, checkered magazine release button. NATO number replaces the old Ministry of Supply number. New number for SMG’s is B3/1005-99-960-0029.

Bottom side of Fazakerly L2A3 magazine housing. Inspector and acceptance marks seen at lower left corner.

Underside of Sterling Mk4 (L2A3) housing. All Sterling commercial guns are marked with the patent numbers that applied to the original Patchett Machine Carbine. From top, left to right: trigger, folding butt, helically ribbed breech block and double return springs.

Mystery Housing , Fazakerly or Sterling?

The following housing is a commercial Mk4 gun made by Sterling Armament Company. According to the Guns of Dagenham, serial number KR 132766 should be from 1972 yet it is higher than the last estimated KR number by more than 18,700. The top surface of the housing has been welded over and ground down prior to engraving. This is especially apparent underneath the 9m/m MK4 line.

The lower right hand corner shows an H19 inspector’s mark. H prefix marks were commonly used by inspectors at the Fazakerly plant. It also has the bevel cut edge to the left of the catch screw hole which are found only on Fazakerly housings.

The bottom side is void of any engraving as would be expected from a military contract gun produced by either Fazakerly or Sterling. The lower left corner shows multiple H prefix inspectors’ marks indicating origin of manufacture at Fazakerly.

The last government produced L2A3 came out of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Fazakerly in 1960 and the Sterling Armament KR serial number suggests 1972. An interesting combination to say the least!

Left: Sterling Mk4. Right:Fazakerly L2A3 with bevel cut edge on upper left corner.

1958 Sterling L2A3. Sterling did not bevel the edge under the catch.

Bottom side of Fazakerly L2A3 magazine housing. Inspector and acceptance marks seen at lower left corner.

1956 Fazakerley bolt proofed at RSAF Enfield

1966 Sterling bolt with military acceptance mark. This bolt is approved for use in a L2A3 receiver casing by either manufacturer.

1957 Fazakerley strut assembly. Very unusual to be found in wrinkle coat paint.

Two styles of strut plungers. On the left is the military forked design, on the right is Sterling’s less expensive MK4 version. All government guns required the forked design even those made by Sterling Armament.

Fazakerley ejector and cocking handle. The two barrel screws are definitely not factory original. Very dated type screw design.

From top to bottom:
Sterling 34 round L1A1 magazine. Military 34 round L1A2 contract magazine and the Canadian CI 30 round mag.

Different construction techniques. Sterling four piece folded steel with scalloped edges spot welded together. Military electric seam welded and narrower width case. Canadian stamped steel and spot welded.

Sterling and Government flat spring anti rattle prevention. Canadian folded steel. Spring pins between the first two are not interchangeable.

Sterling used Patchett’s patented twin roller followers. The military copied the same. Canadians used the more traditional metal follower.

. Top row from left to right, RSAF Enfield Aid to India cap. Has distinctive E inside of D Enfield logo. Typical sterling MK4 version and the Canadian C1.

The cast Enfield is milled flat above and below the sling attachment loop.

1956,1957 government stock pivot trunnions

1957 Fazakerley front sight guard