| Place | Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/02960 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Austen Mk 1 Submachine Gun
Description
Austen Mk 1 Sub-machine Gun. Pressed steel construction with a short drilled barrel jacket and a folding butt. Two pistol grips missing the black plastic horizontal ribbed side plates. Marked on the die cast magazine port - WTC, "AUSTEN" MK I and the serial number. Front blade and single fixed rear aperture sights. Overall painted light green. Complete with a detachable box magazine. The bolt face has been welded rendering the weapon inoperable.
History / Summary
The Austen submachine gun is the result of re-designing the British Sten gun to increase the quality control. The receiver, barrel and trigger mechanism were those of the Sten, but the mainspring, bolt, folding butt and fore grip were inspired by the German MP40. The Mk 1 Austen went into production in 1942 and about 20,000 were produced before production ended in March 1945.