In order to rapidly equip a sufficient fighting force to counter the Axis threat, the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, was commissioned to produce an alternative. The American entry into the war at the end of 1941 placed an even bigger demand on the facilities making Thompsons. Prior to 1941 (and even later) the British were purchasing all the Thompson submachine guns they could from the United States, but these did not begin to meet demand. The army was forced to replace weapons lost during the evacuation from Dunkirk while expanding at the same time. The Sten emerged while Britain was engaged in the Battle of Britain, facing invasion by Germany. The "Carbine, Machine" element of the designation resulted from the British term for a submachine gun-"Machine Carbine"-in the early part of the Second World War. The official designation "Carbine, Machine, Sten" should not be confused with the common understanding of carbine the Sten was a typical, almost stereotypical submachine gun (full-automatic firearm regardless of size/form that fires pistol rounds) while the term carbine is used to refer to short, light rifles. Over 4 million Stens in various versions were made in the 1940s. Shepherd and Harold Turpin, and EN for Enfield. STEN is an acronym, cited as derived from the names of the weapon's chief designers, Major Reginald V. They were notable for having a simple design and very low production cost making it an effective insurgency weapon with resistance groups. The Sten (or Sten gun) was a family of British 9 mm submachine guns used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War. Various Underground Resistance Group Factories.ģ.7–4.6 million (all variants, depending on source)
![sten mk ii folding stock sten mk ii folding stock](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/q-B3X1Aw.jpeg)
Long Branch Canada (plus numerous sub-contractors making individual parts). Please see our legal page for more information.For other uses, see Sten (disambiguation). We assume no liability associated with misuse of our products. All orders are subject to acceptance by IMA Inc, which reserves the right to refuse any order. By placing an order, the buyer represents that he/she is in compliance with the law and will utilize the items in a lawful manner. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly.
![sten mk ii folding stock sten mk ii folding stock](https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CLONE-03-390x221.jpg)
Gun magazine laws, concealed weapons laws, laws governing new made display guns, airsoft guns, blank fire guns, and other items vary greatly by nation, state and locality. IMA considers all antique guns offered on our website as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering.
![sten mk ii folding stock sten mk ii folding stock](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1524/1342/products/BS3005-1.jpg)
Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns manufactured prior to 1899. Every musket, rifle, display machine gun, machine gun parts set or gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Everything for sale on is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Legal Notice - International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and local laws.