Owen and Austen - The WW 2 ‘Aussie’ Machine Carbine Story

[Badger]

With thanks to member Graeme "broadarrow303" Barber, an excellent article reflecting on the development of the Owen and Austen (WW 2 ‘Aussie’ Machine Carbine) has been added to the Australia - Milsurps Knowledge Library (click here).

Owen and Austen - The WW 2 ‘Aussie’ Machine Carbine Story (by Graeme "broadarrow303" Barber) (click here)

Article Extract .....

The story began in September 1940 and involved two neighbours who had never met. The first a young Australian inventor Evelyn Owen from Wollongong had been working on a .22 small automatic gun for nine years. He had even shown it to a Colonel at the Victorian Barracks in Sydney to be told that the army had no use for sub-machine guns and if they ever did it would be on British advice and be British made. Although he had little engineering experience and no technical qualifications, Owen was fascinated by firearms and experimented with them recklessly. Home from final leave before posting overseas Owen had been at the beach firing some final bursts out to sea. As he approached his home, carrying the gun in a cloth bag, his mates suggested he join them for a drink at the local ‘drinking hole’. He agreed and in his haste left the bag leaning up against a retaining wall separating his father’s house from a neighbouring block of flats. (article continues) .....

Owen Mk I field stripped showing front loading bolt, load bearing piston and return spring. (Author)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

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