Sterling SMG L2A3 Replica

[Onoff]

Couldn't think where to post this. As is it'll be a pressie for my ex services big brother to hang on his wall I figured its "decorative"!

So...I want to make an all steel Sterling SMG replica. Bought a set of plans for a tenner. The jury's out on them, first glance might be a few dimns lacking! TBA.

To start me off I need a bit of steel tube 38.01 OD / 35.63 ID. I make that nom. 1.19mm wall...weird size. Can't find anything as yet.

 

[My Old Landy]

That would be 1.5 inch tube https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263278950869 maybe suitable?

 

[Paul.]

I cant help you with a piece but what you are looking for is 1.5" x 18swg ERW tube, a call round some local fab shops may well turn up a piece though

 

[Fastdruid]

So...I want to make an all steel Sterling SMG replica. Bought a set of plans for a tenner. The jury's out on them, first glance might be a few dimns lacking! TBA.

Out of curiosity I had a google, I assume it's this http://replicaplans.com/SterlingSMG.html in which case it says they're 1:1 and can scale from within Adobe

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/grids-guides-measurements-pdfs.html

 

[Onoff]

Out of curiosity I had a google, I assume it's this http://replicaplans.com/SterlingSMG.html in which case it says they're 1:1 and can scale from within Adobe

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/grids-guides-measurements-pdfs.html

That's the one! Not too familiar with scaling within Adobe...best I learn. Tbh full measurements and maybe some little isometrics of the parts would have been super helpful. They could too have supplied the DXFs for a lot of it.

 

[Onoff]

I cant help you with a piece but what you are looking for is 1.5" x 18swg ERW tube, a call round some local fab shops may well turn up a piece though

That would be 1.5 inch tube https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263278950869 maybe suitable?

Cheers. Forgot to say I'm thinking seamless would be better. I can get only 1.6mm wall seamless. Didn't really want to have to bore that out but hey ho.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Don't know if it helps but at one time in late 40's/ early 50's there was an unusual demand for Morris 1000 steeling column shafts. Turned out they were the right size for making a machine gun - could have been Israel and Sten guns

 

[Onoff]

Don't know if it helps but at one time in late 40's/ early 50's there was an unusual demand for Morris 1000 steeling column shafts. Turned out they were the right size for making a machine gun - could have been Israel and Sten guns

Cool fact! It's the improvised SMGs made from square box section during the Irish troubles amaze me, barrels were square too!

Edit: I think I read once that the sale of heavy wall tube was once restricted in NI?

 

[Onoff]

Might start printing one...just 'cos we can.

STERLING SMG MK4 (L2A3) by TK14082

This is my model of a Sterling SMG MK4 (L2A3). Not only was it a real world weapon, but is served as the basis for the E11 blaster carried by stormtroopers in Star Wars. All parts were modeled to measurements taken from an actual Sterling parts kit. Note that there is an assembly drawing in PDF...

www.thingiverse.com

 

[My Old Landy]

How have you got on with the project?

 

[Onoff]

How have you got on with the project?

Waiting for the steel at the mo for the main tube, receiver I think they call it. Appears to be a case of print out the template, in pieces, then glue to the steel, mark through and drill/slot. Going to be an excercise in hand fitting and filing skills.

 

[rikrobson]

made this a few years back out of scrap bits of metal. its a replica-ish receiver for a lee enfield rifle

 

[My Old Landy]

I went somewhat older

 

[Onoff]

Well the tube turned up...

Printed the x6 A4s in Adobe and attempted to piece together. Butting the edges up, moving apart a tad, lining printed edges up with a straight edge and it's still a bit "out"...not sure what to reference to to sort it...

 

[Onoff]

I'm looking out for an A3 printer now if anyone knows of or is looking to get rid of one!

 

[Onoff]

Having another go...with the aid of "weights" (packet of baby wipes, Sellotape holders, coin jars etc) I managed to align a new set of A4 sheets and now have a template the right size:

Off to cut the tube to length. Then I guess find a centre punch and mark through for all the holes and the corner points on the various cutouts.

Not sure what happens where the missing details are at the page joins...refer back to pictures I suppose.

 

[My Old Landy]

This is an interesting build! Will you be milling in the larger features? The bolt racking slot needs to be fairly accurate if you are having that as a 'working' feature (obviously not functioning but you get my drift!)

 

[Onoff]

This is an interesting build! Will you be milling in the larger features? The bolt racking slot needs to be fairly accurate if you are having that as a 'working' feature (obviously not functioning but you get my drift!)

I'm figuring to drill the big hole one end of the slot and then a hole the other end the diameter of the slot. Then see if I can use the BiL's vertical mill.

The rest, by hand I think. If I take my time etc I'm pretty good with filing imho!

If push comes to shove then clamp a straight edge on and a slitting disc. At 1.6mm I can see the Dremmel coming in handy.

As for functioning...scary...not sure how close this build is to the real thing and I last stripped a real one in 1984. What was a bit concerning is looking at the 3D printed one. All parts apparently measured off of the real deal. The fact that the .stl files are available...I wonder if things like a fully functioning bolt could be 3D metal printed?

This one's a wall ornament.

 

[sardine]

This will be illegal to own unless you either spray it a high viz colour or join a reenactment group. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/part/2/crossheading/imitation-firearms

You also should consider how you construct it and ensure there are no working parts in it that could be construed as part of a firearm, a chamber or see through barrel, feed pawls on the bolt etc. Work on the basis that if they got hold of it the police will inspect every part with a determination to prosecute you even if they have to invent a crime, so make it totally beyond any function as a firearm.

 

[My Old Landy]

This will be illegal to own unless you either spray it a high viz colour or join a reenactment group. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/38/part/2/crossheading/imitation-firearms

You also should consider how you construct it and ensure there are no working parts in it that could be construed as part of a firearm, a chamber or see through barrel, feed pawls on the bolt etc. Work on the basis that if they got hold of it the police will inspect every part with a determination to prosecute you even if they have to invent a crime, so make it totally beyond any function as a firearm.

View attachment 292782

If he has it resin bonded to a piece of wood and it does not look realistic he is not in breach of the regulations as I understand them (I am not an expert) perhaps @northwest could comment on this?
Always an emotive subject and one has to be careful of giving advice that could have repercussions.