Latest Sub-Machine Guns For New Zealand Army

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27591, 23 February 1955, Page 3

Latest Sub-Machine Guns For New Zealand Army

(From the London Correspondent of “The Press”)

LONDON, February 15. The New Zealand Army is to be equipped with the Sterling machine gun the most modern weapon of its type in the world. Negotiations are in progress between the Government and the company for 2000 of these guns, which will cost about £50,000. The Sterling has been adopted by the British Army as a supplementary weapon to the new Belgian F.N. rifle. It will be used by all three British services. It has taken 12 years to develop. At 61b, it is claimed to be the lightest, safest, and most reliable submachine gun produced. Severe tests by British Ordnance have supported these claims. , Besides having the advantage of light weight, the weapon may be fired from the hip, shoulder or, in emergencies, in pistol fashion. The rate of fire is 575 rounds a minute, and the gun is sufficiently accurate to kill ai 200 yards. Testa of Gun The Sterling was tested before a group of press correspondents today. No Russians were included in the party. It was subjected to sandstorm conditions, completely immersed in a bath of liquid mud, and frozen for several hours in a refrigerator. After each test, the weapon was immediately fired on single shot and automatic to show that the tests had no harmful effects. To show its ease of use and safety, two young women and a 12-year-pld boy were allowed to fire it.

The Sterling sub-machine gun is to replace the Sten in the British Army. It has also been adopted by Iraq. It will be manufactured under licence in Iraq, South Africa, Sweden, the Sudan, Singapore, and many other places. N.A.T.O. has expressed interest, and there is a possibility that Canada may also adopt it. Australia has lagged behind the New Zealand authorities so far, but this may be because of its own Owen sub-machine gun. Beautifully balanced, the Sterling has no recoil shocks. Even from the pistol-grip position, there is no tendency for. the gun to “kick” or rise. It fires international-size 9 mm. ammunition, and all parts are interchangeable.

Mr K. Redgrave, managing-director of the producing company, is particularly pleased that New Zealand has shown interest in the gun. “I know the New Zealand troops well,” he said. “I fought with them during the First World War, and there is no doubt that they are the finest fighting force in the Commonwealth.” He said he also liked the Australian troops, but found them “difficult to handle.” The New Zealanders could fit in anywhere and settle down under any conditions. Before British Government sanction was given to the adoption of the Sterling, it had been tested under war conditions in Korea, Kenya (against the Mau Maus) and Malaya. Suggestions by troops under field conditions were incorporated in the final Mark 111 gun.