Help identifying this Sterling prop

[starbuc]

I recently picked this up from another member, and I'm trying to find some history on it.
I was told that it started life as a real Sterling, but was deactivated and then rebuilt into a non firing version.
Anyone got any other info from looking at these pics?
Thanks in advance.

 

[TazMan2000]

On the top of the magazine cavity there are stamps and engravings. A serial number may get you some history on this.

TazMan2000

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Year ago someone (the name was Jedi72 or Darkside72? I can't recall - I could be way off so don't harass them if they're around) sold rebuilt Sterlings. I want to say it was in the late 90s or early 2000s. That's how I got mine. They were deactivated, but the one I got was pretty sketchy. I believed he offered to fix them once that was figured out, but I wasn't about to put that in the mail! I was pretty sure it was not that deactivated so I welded a rod down the barrel. They were offered with the charging handle intact or removed.

 

[starbuc]

Year ago someone (the name was Jedi72 or Darkside72? I can't recall - I could be way off so don't harass them if they're around) sold rebuilt Sterlings. I want to say it was in the late 90s or early 2000s. That's how I got mine. They were deactivated, but the one I got was pretty sketchy. I believed he offered to fix them once that was figured out, but I wasn't about to put that in the mail! I was pretty sure it was not that deactivated so I welded a rod down the barrel. They were offered with the charging handle intact or removed.

I believe it was Darkside72. And the time line you mention is correct.
The barrel is plugged on this one. So its about as deactivated as it can get.
Thanks for your help.

Terry

 

[jkno]

You need a front sight. And a nice repaint.

 

[starbuc]

You need a front sight. And a nice repaint.

I have the front and rear sights. They were removed for reasons unknown.

 

[jkno]

Nice! Any moving parts? Trigger, selector?

 

[starbuc]

Yes to both. The charging handle can be pulled back as well. And the stock can be unfolded too.

 

[Halliwax]

That is beautiful!!! Wow!!! Wicked lucky to own that piece!

 

[bobasfett]

If you’re in the US, options were/are limited. Not sure if the case any longer but the UK’s deactivation procedure for Sterlings was very subtle with regard to keeping the firearm intact.

They basically welded the barrel removal screws solid, welded a plug into the bolt end of the barrel, then welded the barrel to the tube and finally welded the firing pin hole in the bolt. Can’t remember what else. But the tube was left intact except the weld between it and the barrel so pretty much looked and functioned (bolt movement) like a real Sterling.

In the US, the ATF requires deactivation by complete destruction of the receiver. Harsh for the Sterling because the tube is considered the receiver, so you’re looking at either torch cut tube or saw cut tube with a parts kit.

These blasters were offered for sale as parts kit reassembled to a replica tube. It was good work overall but the solder used was poor. This is why some parts would fall off if handled roughly (like your rear sight block).

There were also militaria companies a long time ago that sold reassembled/deactivated sterlings back in the day but the reassembly result was pretty crappy. At that time most of the part kits were saw cut, so they just welded all the tube parts back together. The Also meant you could not replicate the action because the bolt was welded in.