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Sub Machine Gun, Owen, 9 Mm Mk I
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Sub Machine Gun, Owen, 9 Mm Mk I
Owen Mk I (or I/42) 9 mm sub machine gun, 1943 (c). Wooden butt and bakelite grips. Painted in jungle camouflage. The Owen was an indigenous Australian design developed in 1942 and widely used in World War Two. It was much more reliable than the Sten which was regarded with suspicion by many soldiers particularly when used on jungle patrols. Many regiments preferred the Owen when it was available. The Owen had an unusual overhead feeding magazine. However it was a tough and reliable weapon. In Malaya it was available in considerable numbers and often provided most of the patrols firepower. The design was so effective that it remained in service well into the 1960s. Date: circa 1943
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Media ID 14404290
© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library
1942 1943 Australian Bakelite Butt Camouflage Developed Grips Jungle Owen Widely
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures an Owen Mk I 9 mm sub machine gun, a remarkable indigenous Australian design from 1943. The Owen, also known as the I/42 or Mark 42, was developed in response to the unreliability of the Sten gun, which was often met with skepticism among soldiers, particularly during jungle patrols. With its wooden butt and bakelite grips painted in jungle camouflage, the Owen stands out as a robust and dependable weapon. Its unique overhead feeding magazine was an innovative feature that added to its distinctiveness. The Owen was a game-changer during World War Two, with many regiments preferring it over the Sten when available. Its effectiveness was particularly evident in Malaya, where it became a staple weapon and often supplied the majority of patrol firepower. The Owen's design proved to be so successful that it remained in service long after the war, well into the 1960s. This photograph is a testament to the Owen's enduring legacy as a reliable and innovative weapon in military history.
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