×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Owen submachine gun file photo [6623]

Owen Machine Carbine Submachine Gun

Country of OriginAustralia
TypeSubmachine Gun
Caliber9.000 mm
Capacity33 rounds
Length806.000 mm
Barrel Length247.000 mm
Weight4.210 kg
Rate of Fire700 rounds/min
Muzzle Velocity381 m/s

Contributor:

ww2dbaseIn July 1939, a few months before war broke out in Europe, 24 year old Evelyn Owen presented, at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, his design for a .22 caliber submachine gun that could be manufactured out of parts from a .22 caliber rifle. Despite war on the horizon, upon closer inspection Ordinance Officers informed Owen that the weapon would not be accepted by the army, as it was .22 caliber. Owen told them his design could easily be adapted to suit any caliber. What they failed to mention was that they had discounted submachine guns as the British army had not adopted weapons of this type in previous wars. However, the terrain of Europe meant firepower could be easily transported to support the British army in the field. Artillery and tanks could not easily be moved to support Australian troops in the jungles of New Guinea, what firepower the troops needed, they carried, so Owen’s gun was ideal. The Lysaghts steelworks at Port Kembla began manufacturing the Owen gun in 1941. By 1945, 50,000 units had been produced. Unlike other submachine guns, like the American Thompson or British Sten, the Owen had a top loading magazine, ideal for jungle fighting, as it kept the magazine free of mud to clog the mechanism. It was tough, and stoppages were rare. Besides the Second World War, it saw service during the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Sources: The Australian War Memorial, Digger History. ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Oct 2008

Photographs

Australian soldier posing with an Owen Machine Carbine, date unknownAustralian Army Private Evelyn Owen posing with his invention Owen submachine gun, circa 1942
See all 3 photographs of Owen Machine Carbine Submachine Gun



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
9 Jun 2024 05:09:48 AM

I would think a top load mag would allow any crap on your hands or mag would get into the breach,just a thought

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
Owen Machine Carbine Submachine Gun Photo Gallery
Australian soldier posing with an Owen Machine Carbine, date unknownAustralian Army Private Evelyn Owen posing with his invention Owen submachine gun, circa 1942
See all 3 photographs of Owen Machine Carbine Submachine Gun


Famous WW2 Quote
"We no longer demand anything, we want war."

Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, Aug 1939


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!