X3 F1 Submachine Gun

X3F1 Sub-machine Gun. Tubular construction with a drilled barrel jacket and a top magazine slot. The trigger box is marked on the right side MACHINE CARBINE 9MM (AUST) X3 and the serial number. A safety catch and the cocking lever are on the left side. It has a wooden butt with an alloy shoulder plate incorporating a trap for an oil bottle and pull through cord. The sights are a fixed front post on the magazine slot and a folding rear peep. Sling swivels are attached to the top of the butt and the muzzle. A bayonet lug is welded to the right side of the barrel jacket. Overall metal parts are blued. A yellow band is painted on the barrel jacket and on the butt wrist with DP. Complete with a detachable curved magazine.

The X3 F1 was designed by the Australian Ordnance Department and combines the features of the Owen with those of the British Sterling sub-machine guns. The bayonet, pistol grip and butt plate come from the L1A1 rifle to simplify production. The bolt is a modified Owen design giving good protection against dirt and the top-feed magazine feed of the Owen was also carried over. This X3 is a prototype of the production F1 sub-machine gun.