Chugalug,
Thought-provoking as usual ! We are both in the grip of the Seekers into the Unknown syndrome - we must break free from this dreadful affliction. Let's have some form of Delete Bin for all these matters for "that way madness lies" (King Lear ?) Forget that damned aerial ! (Yes, I know I started it, my fault entirely).
I never had anything to do with the Sterling, but understand it to have been a sort of posh Sten. And all I remember about the Sten is that you had to keep your fingers out of the way, or you'd have them sliced off.
As to obesity, you're quite right - we were all thin as rakes, weren't we, and fitter than we should ever be again. Even now my BMI is only 22, but in early post war snaps I appear as a "skeleton covered with skin"!
Danny.