question Armed despatch rider?

[No Signals]

A quick online search also turned up these of some Polish ladies in Scotland.

https://lamus-dworski.tumblr.com/post/126838146289/members-of-the-polish-auxiliary-territorial/amp

So perhaps there was more around?

[Gordon_M]

On 9/2/2013 at 7:14 PM, Lauren Child said:

Wasn't it the Sten gun that would go off if hit with a shock? I'm sure I heard a story about that.

There's a photo of the guilty party up the thread, a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun.  If you had a Thompson with the safety off and a loaded magazine, but no round chambered, and you dropped it on its' tail end from a height of a couple of feet, the weight of the bolt was sufficient to slide back, chamber a round, and fire it.   You would probably only make that mistake once though.

[ferretfixer]

The MK.III Sten, had a Particular Modification. Especially for Motorcyclist's.  

This Mod is in E.M.E.Rs & concern's the sling position.

Under NORMAL usage. The Front of the sling's metal attachment clip. Was inserted through two holes UNDENEATH, in the Gun Casing. & squeezed closed. To prevent the clip from falling out.

The Gun was meant to have the sling hang round the Neck of Motorcyclists ONLY.

If this was enacted with an UNMODIFIED MK.II Sten. The gun would hang upside down! So, The Top Rib of the casing. had Two slightly oval holes drilled in it. A short way back from the Front 'Sight'. Which was also part of the rib.

This Mod enable the Sten to hang round the riders neck. In the upright position.

You dont see Photo's of a magazine in the Gun. When the Gun is slung from the Neck though!....It would have been very awkward to carry like that!

Examine a MK.II Sten along the top rib. SOME have been modified. Some have not!