Royal Armouries' Jonathan Ferguson presents iconic Sterling SMG with historical footage provides a detailed look at the mid-century manufacturing process of the Sterling submachine gun at the Fazakerley plant in Liverpool. The journey begins with raw bar stock and an induction furnace affectionately nicknamed "Frankenstein," which sounds like a lovely place to spend a Tuesday. From there, the barrels undergo a series of precision drilling, reaming, and "broaching" operations, all while being doused in enough oil to make a salad dressing enthusiast weep with joy.

The production line reveals a fascinating mix of high-tech automation and old-school manual labor, including a gravity-fed conveyor system that is essentially just hanging parts on a wire and hoping they slide to the right person. Workers meticulously machine breech blocks with spiral mud grooves and punch air holes into casings with a rhythm that would make a percussionist jealous. There is even a brief cameo by a double-length blank that refuses to roll as intended, proving that even in a strictly regulated British arms factory, inanimate objects have a sense of comedic timing.

After the components are brazed together and given a fashionable matte grey finish, the guns are assembled on a conveyor belt moving at the blistering pace of one foot per minute. The finished products then head to the firing range for a series of elevation and depression tests, ensuring the weapon works whether you are aiming at a bird or your own boots. Finally, the guns are wrapped in enough waxed paper and plastic to survive a dip in the Mersey and packed into wooden crates, while a local duck nesting in the water tank provides a peaceful, feathery contrast to the industrial clatter.