Sterling 7.62 NATO Battle rifle/Light machine gun

[Cutaway]

A scaled up variant of the L2A3 submachine gun. I take it was intended as an alternative to L1A1 SLR's and L4A1 Brens as a standby weapon.

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-content/gallery/brit-308-prototype/brit 308 prototype 1.jpg

Quote from wiki:

The Sterling 7.62 was a Battle rifle/Light machine gun variant of the Sterling submachine gun was manufactured in the 7.62x51mm NATO calibre. It used lever-delayed blowback to handle the more powerful rounds and was fed from 30 round Bren magazines as well as 20 round magazines from L1A1 SLR's. A bipod and detatchable fixed stock could be added as well as a Single Point IR/Trilux nightsight. To prevent ammunition cookoff, the weapon fired from an open bolt. Acting as the Besal LMG of WW2, the 7.62 NATO calibre Sterling was intended as an emergency standby weapon in case of attack during the Cold War.

Source: http://www.forgottenweapons.com/lorem-ipsum/rifles/british-308-sterling-prototype
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/lorem-ipsum/rifles/british-308-sterling-prototype

 

[TonyE]

Sterling

I wonder where they thought they were going to make it?

Sterling were at Dagenham and somehow I think there might have been problems if London was nuked in a Cold War attack.

Regards
TonyE

 

[proditto]

Sterling Weapons

Sterling did a lot of experimental work as well as producing the SMG and the AR18.
The AR18 was first developed for production and then experimented with in a number of variations. The first was the AR18S which in its original version did not work. An LMG was developed with an interchangeable barrel. Also prototyped was a version in 7.62x39.
An 40mm grenade launcher and a 'line ' launcher were produced as prototypes.
Incidentally the rifle was very violent when fired according to the late Frank Waters

 

[TonyE]

Sterking

I should have known you would reply, Sandy!

BTW, I want your cable shearing cartridge in your avatar!

Cheers
TonyE