Sterling MK4 Airsoft SMG – British Cold War Submachine Gun, Star Wars E-11 Blaster Base

The British Army's Cold War workhorse

The Sterling submachine gun, designed by George William Patchett at Sterling Armaments and tested by the British Army as early as 1944-1945, entered service in 1953 to replace the WWII Sten. It went on to become the standard British Army SMG until 1994, when the L85A1 bullpup finally pushed it out — a remarkable 41-year service life.

Beyond its military pedigree, the Sterling has a second claim to fame: real Sterling MK4s were the base used to build the iconic E-11 blaster rifle carried by Imperial Stormtroopers in the original Star Wars trilogy. Few small arms have made such an indelible mark on both real and fictional history.

This airsoft AEG is the MK4 (L2A3) variant in black, with a steel and aluminium body, a folding stock, and a 110-round steel hi-cap. Velocity sits at around 365 FPS (~1.24 J) with semi and full-auto fire.

• Historic name: Sterling Submachine Gun, MK4 / L2A3
• Era: British Army standard SMG, 1953-1994
• Designer: George William Patchett
• Original cartridge: 9×19 mm Parabellum
• Pop-culture fame: Base for the Star Wars E-11 Stormtrooper blaster
• Type: Electric airsoft SMG (AEG)
• Colour: Black
• Body: Aluminium and steel
• Magazine: 110-rd steel, hi-cap
• Velocity: ~365 FPS / 1.24 J (0.20 g BB)
• Inner barrel: 200 mm (Ø 6.03 mm)
• Length: 700 mm
• Weight: 2905 g
• Calibre: 6 mm BB
• Battery & charger: sold separately