Lanchester Mk.1

 Left side view on Lanchester Mk.1 submachine gun, with 50-round magazine inplace.

 

 Right side view on Lanchester Mk.1* submachine gun, without fire mode selectorand with simplified rear sight. Bayonet lugs are clearly visible near the muzzle.

Characteristics

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	4,3 kg empty
Length	751 mm
Barrel length	200 mm
Rate of fire	600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	50 rounds
Effective range	150-200 meters

The Lanchester Mk.1 submachine gun, or Lanchester Mk.1 machine carbine incontemporary British nomenclature, was a very close copy of German SchmeisserMP-28 submachine gun. It was developed by George H. Lanchester andmanufactured by Sterling Engineering Co between 1941 and 1945. This weapon wasmade in two versions, Mk.1 and Mk.1* (Mark 1, star). The latter was a simplifiedversion of the original Mark 1, with omitted fire mode selector, and thus firing in full automatic mode only. Most Lanchester submachine guns went for BritishNavy.
The Lanchester Mk.1 submachine gun  is blowback operated, selective-fire weapon that firedfrom open bolt. Tubular receiver was attached to the front of the wooden stock,and could be pivoted barrel down for maintenance and disassembly. Magazines areinserted from the left side, ejection is to the right. Magazine housing was made from brass. Manual safety is made in the form of locking cut, made in the receiver, which engages the bolt handle to lock bolt in open (cocked) position. Fire mode selector was located in front of the trigger, and was not present on Mk.1* weapons. Standard sights consisted of blade front and tangent rear sight, marked from 100 and up to 600 yards (approx 550meters). Some Mk.1* guns had simplified, flip-up rear sights marked for 100 and200 yards. The wooden stock was patterned after that of Lee-Enfield rifle, and gun accepted 1907-pattern knife-bayonet, originally developed for the above mentioned rifle.

Posted in: Great Britain,Submachine Guns