POTD: Ex Special Air Service Heckler & Koch MP5A3
Photo Of The Day brings one of the most interesting and iconic firearms and anti-terrorism actions together. Above you can see the H&K MP5A3 from when the Special Air Service stormed the Iranian embassy in London in 1980. Remember this is over 42 years ago.
Historian & curator Ian Kikuchi wrote in a Tweet:
Bringing #FirearmFriday forward a day to mark an anniversary. On this day, 5 May 1980, troops of the Special Air Service stormed the Iranian embassy in London. This week’s firearm is an ex-SAS Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun.
Furthermore:
IWM’s ex-SAS MP5 has one novel feature – a foregrip using a pistol grip from an FN FAL rifle. Vertical foregrips are a universal accessory these days, but I wonder about the effectiveness of this improvised grip – seems like it might get in the way during reloading.
( Source / Twitter)
Here is another image of a Heckler and Koch MP5A3.
More details about this special Heckler and Koch MP5A3, from IWM’s description:
Physical descriptionSMG & spare foregrip. Currently fitted with foregrip modified to incorporate FAL pistol grip
Stamped on top of receiverHK-MP5 4/74 ENStamped on left of magazine housingKal 9mm x 19
For more about the IWM museums please check these articles from TFB’s visits: Imperial War Museum London – Part I and Imperial War Museum London – Part II. If you’re ever in London you should schedule a visit.
Here is a direct link to the IWM homepage: https://www.iwm.org.uk/
All images Copyright: © IWM FIR 10716
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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The modified forward pistol grip was actually introduced post the Iranian in about 1982. All the MP5s at the Iranian had the original A3 black plastic, checkered forends. Some guys had Streamlight SL20s top mounted on Stanag mounts with a remote switch fitted to the forend, others had no light at all.
After the Iranian all SP team MP5s were fitted with Streamlights and the SLR grips were fitted to the forend with a pressel switch fitted to the front of it.
I have a photo of me holding one on a training visit to Hereford in 1987 by which time the SP team had gone to Maglights mounted underneath the forend and the forward pistol grips were only on some of their old training weapons like the one i was using.
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