However, when World War II broke out a generation later, the situation was very different.
[Read submachine guns.]
In August 1940, development began on what would become the Sten.
A Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) soldier crouches on a river bank near Modjokerto, Indonesia. He is armed with a Lanchester submachine gun. Image: Netherlands National Archives
As the UK was at war with Germany, there would be no problems with licenses or patent infringement.
Rather, development was led by George Lanchester, who had founded the automobile firm with his brothers.
He took charge of the SMGs design while employed at the Sterling Armaments Company.
A sailor in the Royal Australian Navy renders a salute during World War II. He is armed with a Lanchester submachine gun. The Lanchester SMG has an attached bayonet. Image: Australian War Museum
That simplified the machine process, and also became one of the Lanchesters defining features.
It employed a straight 50-round magazine, while it was able to use the 32-round Sten magazine.
The latter version has earned the moniker the star version by collectors and historians.
Able Seaman Ted May of the Royal Australian Navy sits on a repatriated British destroyer at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. He holds a Lanchester sub-machine gun. Image: Australian War Museum
The Royal Navy had assisted with that film production and likely provided the SMGs from its arsenals.
The Lanchester SMG was used on Royal Navy warships during WWII and it remained in service until the 1970s. Image: Author
A Royal Netherlands East Indies Army soldier prepares to shoot his Lanchester SMG. Image: Netherlands National Archives
The Lanchester MkI (bottom) was essentially an upgraded version of the German MP-18/I submachine gun (top). Image: Author
Four KNIL soldiers photographed in Indonesia. The two indigenous soldiers on the right are armed with Lanchester SMGs. Image: Netherlands National Archives
The British Landing Force searches buildings after taking control of the naval base at Yokosuka, Japan. Able Seaman Clifford Cooper is holding a Lanchester submachine gun. Image: Australian War Museum
Crew members of the destroyer HMASNapier(G97) undergoing weapon drill on the ship’s deck. The weapons are Lanchester submachine guns with a Lee Enfield bayonet. Image: Australian War Museum
A KNIL soldier sharpens his klewng in a stream with a river stone while another keeps watch with his Lanchester Mk I submachine gun. Image: Netherlands National Archives
Australians prepare to go ashore with the British Landing Force in the occupation of the Japanese mainland. A sailor on the right cleans a Lanchester SMG. Image: Australian War Museum
