This is a nice example of a desirable, WWII British Lanchester Mark I * (modified) SMG as manufactured by the Sterling Engineering Company in Essex that has been deactivated. This model was designed in early 1940 by George Lanchester and was used exclusively by the British Navy throughout the war. They were almost a direct copy of the German MP28 II except for a couple of minor changes to the basic design of the weapon. Basically the internals were the same as the MP28 with the earlier models having a repositioned selector switch that was later completely eliminated making them a fully automatic weapon only. All previously fielded SMGs were modified accordingly and remarked "Mark I * " as in this example. The two unique features of this weapon is that the magazine housing was completely made from brass and the barrel jacket has a permanently attached bayonet lug on the underside for the British 1907 pattern bayonet. The top of the magazine housing is marked "LANCHESTER/MK. I *./46649/M/94CF 59". It has a fixed front and a two-position (100 and 200 meter) adjustable rear sight. It also has a Enfield pattern walnut stock with finger grooves on the sides. This is a very robust and heavily designed SMG that was probably very easy to control. This weapon does not include a magazine; however, they can be easily acquired on the commercial market. As noted it has been deactivated by welding a plug in the chamber of the barrel and then welding it to the receiver.

Very good as deactivated with 30% of the blue finish overall with wear and thinning on the exposed metal surfaces. It is fitted with a later beech Arsenal replacement stock that is in very fine condition with a nice original color with a few handling marks and light pressure dents on the left side. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. Before bidding on this item, it is the sole responsibility and obligation of the bidder to understand and comply with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence.