[AMMOe]

A buddy and I collect Brits (as well as Finns) and we picked up a couple of demilled Sten Mk III kits to weld back together as display guns. Much to my surprise, there was the familiar [SA] on the magazine shroud. Anybody else notice this/have one? ~Andy

 

[Mestari]

Hello!

The Finnish Defence Forces (SA) received 76,115 second-hand Sten Mk2 and Mk3 submachine guns in echange of Terni rifles, Swedish m/21 and French m/15 automatic rifles.

This deal was made in 1957 and 1958 with Interarmco.

Regards,

Mestari

 

[scotty1418]

So then could it be said these were much later production than the regular ww2 models?

It seems to suggest they were already made, and happened to be sold to the Finns, but then why would they already be mfg'd with SA markings?

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[skywarp]

They might have been manufactured at any time, but would have received the SA mark sometime after acceptance into the Finn army.

 

[Alko]

The SA marked British S.T.E.N. guns were WW-2 manufacture, as there was no need to produce any after WW-2.
The Finnish Army was happy to get rid of a whole bunch of junk [M-38 Carcano short Rifles], and at the time the Finnish Army thought the S.T.E.N. was a good trade. However after a few accidents on the range the S.T.E.N. was NEVER fired again in Finland, and that's not even with blanks!

 

[AMMOe]

Thanks all. Interesting and informative responses. Funny about the Sten accidents: An English buddy of mine related that his Dad sat out WWII because of an accident with a Sten. Somebody dropped one while they were off loading a truck and his dad caught the burst! Scary weapons but I'll have this one welded up so it can never be fired as well! ~Andy

 

[Postrock]

I got several of these SA marked kits 10 years ago from Centerfire systems. fyi

 

[REME245]

The stocks often have a simple swing swivel added on the Finnish Stens.

 

[bonny]

Anybody fancies these turkeys? They have the groovy SA stamps.

http://www.militaryantiqueshop.com/view.php?id=1035
http://www.militaryantiqueshop.com/view.php?id=1040&section3=i&sub=&page=1

This shop has some amazingly outrageous prices. But the best was another Antique shop - the lady wanted 3500 Euros for a Berdan 2!!!!
I wonder why shopkeepers stock weapons with such ridiculous price tags? Dont they ever plan to sell?