Small arms identification plates

[andrew375]

I've just joined after lurking for several months.

So here is my first contribution to the board. Small Arms Id. posters from the British army's Instructions for armourers, 1931. I've also added some of my collection of manuals.

The originals of the s.a.i.d. posters are of various sizes as they are drawn to scale and paper cut to suit, but most will fit on A2.

[ovenpaa]

WOW! What a wealth of information. Thank you for such a helpful first post Andrew

[daman]

Brilliant stuff. That P14 s.a.i.d is going straight on my wall.

Thanks!

[GeeRam]

Fabulous stuff clapclap clapclap

[andrew375]

Thank you, I am pleased you appreciate them. I got given the SAID set over 25 years ago but only recently was I able to get them scanned.

The P.14 drawing is interesting because of the marks on the stock, the SMLE is not similarly marked and P.14 wasn't the name by which it was referred to in service. The mystery got more interesting a year or ago when one of my club members turns up with a P.14 he had just bought and it had the exact same markings on the stock! That rifle has a story to tell, but unfortunately it is in the hands of someone who hasn't a clue and no interest in what he's got; despite my showing him the relevant SAID chart. The markings on the stock are not painted or inked on but are cut in with a chisel and are so deep they would survive even the most ham fisted attempt at refinishing.

The lewis gun manual is good for a laugh as it is for the gun as mounted on the upper wing of a bi-plane fighter. Just read about the stuff the pilot was expected to do to clear a jam. The STEN gun manual has an interesting section on making an after-market kit to attach a torch; tacti-cool is nothing new.

[Gundoc]

Thats an amazing set of docs Andrew. thank you.

[andrew375]

To Gundoc and others. Feel free to distribute the link as much as you like. It took me a lot of time and effort to get the drawings scanned so it is good to know they are appreciated.