| Place | Oceania: Australia |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM30622.010 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Leather, Metal, Plastic |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Port Kembla |
| Date made | 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Experimental Owen Mk II Sub-machine Gun
Description
Experimental Owen Mk II Sub-machine Gun. Trigger right hand side plate is marked XP OWEN MKII 43 9MM AUSTRALIA PAT PENDING and the serial number. This weapon, magazine and bayonet with leather sheath are painted in green and yellow camouflage. The butt on this model is detachable by unscrewing a knurled knob into the bottom of the action. The two pistol grips are made from a brown speckled plastic compound. The barrel does not have any cooling fins in front of the breech. The bayonet has a wooden, two piece grip with a tubular top socket that fits over the muzzle suppressor. A spring clip in the pommel secures the bayonet to the gun. The 6 inch (15.2 mm) blade is blued with a full length sharpened lower edge and front top edge to about 2 inches (30 mm). The scabbard is made from green leather, stitched on both sides for the blade and has a retaining press stud strap for the handle through the belt loop. This weapon has a khaki webbing SMLE rifle sling attached to the swivels.
History / Summary
The Department of Army requested the development of a lighter Owen Gun, so a prototype Mark II was produced in October 1942. The changes included a lighter butt, trigger mechanism and a barrel without fins. Approximately 200 were produced for troop trials.