January 07, 2026

The $10 Submachine Gun That Won WWII

Photo: A British Sten submachine gun, a hastily designed but vital weapon that armed Allied forces and resistance fighters during World War II.

It was ugly, crude, and often mocked by the soldiers who carried it. But when Britain needed a weapon fast, cheap, and easy to build, the Sten gun answered the call.

This simple submachine gun, costing as little as $10 to produce during the war, became one of the most important small arms of World War II.

Born Out of Desperation

After the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940, Britain faced a serious problem. Much of its equipment had been left behind, and an invasion seemed possible. The military needed a submachine gun, and it needed one immediately.

Engineers Reginald Shepherd and Harold Turpin designed the Sten using stamped metal parts, a simple blowback action, and as few components as possible. It could be produced quickly by factories with limited tooling and minimal training.

Function mattered more than form.

Cheap, Simple, and Effective

The Sten fired the 9mm cartridge and used a side-mounted magazine copied from the German MP40. Its open-bolt design and loose tolerances meant it could keep running even when dirty, though it was never known for refinement.

Accuracy was passable, reliability was inconsistent, but it worked well enough. And most importantly, it could be built in massive numbers.

Over four million Stens were produced during the war.

A Weapon of Resistance

The Sten became a favorite of resistance fighters across occupied Europe. Its compact size made it easy to conceal, and its simple construction meant it could be repaired or even built in makeshift workshops.

For partisans, saboteurs, and underground fighters, the Sten was often the only automatic weapon available.

Fun Fact: The name "STEN" comes from the designers' names, Shepherd and Turpin, combined with EN for Enfield, where it was developed.

Why the Sten Still Matters

The Sten gun was never meant to be elegant. It was meant to be fast, cheap, and good enough to fight a war. And in that role, it succeeded.

Sometimes the weapons that change history are not the best looking or the most advanced. They are simply the ones that show up when they are needed most.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded

Please add randy@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

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