| Place | Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Port Kembla |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL42096 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Nickel-plated brass |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Korea, 1950-1953 Second World War, 1939-1945 Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Ashtray with Owen Gun Lysaghts badge
Description
Brass ashtray in nickle plate finish with an enamelled brass badge in the centre, showing an Owen gun over a white globe, with the words 'OWEN GUN' over 'LYSAGHTS' on a red background.
History / Summary
During the Second World War Lysaghts, an Australian iron and steel company, made over 45000 Owen sub-machine guns. The gun was the invention of Evelyn Ernest Owen of Wollongong, New South Wales who had been developing his weapon from 1931.
After indifference from the military authorities over his design, Owen went to Vincent Wardell in September 1940. Wardell, the manager of the Port Kembla plant of Lysaght's Newcastle Works Pty Ltd, helped Owen develop the weapon. He also spoke to Sir Percy Spender, Minister for the Army, who had Owen transferred to the Central Inventions Board.
From September to October 1941 trials of the 9mm Owen gun were conducted at Long Bay, Sydney. Found to be more reliable than the American Thompson and the British Sten guns, it was issued to Australian armed forces from late 1942. The gun continued in service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.