Andrews Machine Carbine
Birmingham Small Arms Company · Submachine Gun · Prototype · 1943
Also known as: Andrews Machine Carbine prototype
Overview
The Andrews Machine Carbine was a World War II Australian experimental submachine gun designed by an engineer named Andrews and built as a small batch of prototypes by Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) in Britain from his blueprints. A blowback, open-bolt, full-automatic 9x19mm weapon, it was unusual in using twin full-length recoil-spring guide rods running above and below the barrel, with the bolt riding on the rods and filling the receiver so completely that the fire-control parts had to be mounted externally. Other distinctive features were a folding tubular pistol grip and a spare Sten magazine that inserted into the rear of the body to serve as a rudimentary shoulder stock.
Specifications
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Full Auto Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Dual Recoil Spring Guide Rods, Folding Pistol Grip, Magazine As Shoulder Stock, Non Reciprocating Charging Handle, Sliding Dust Cover, Uses Sten Magazines
Service history
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1943
Small batch of prototypes built by BSA for trials; never adopted or mass-produced; no known surviving examples
Origin
Country of origin: Australia
Designer: Andrews
Discontinued: 1943
Notes
Its quantitative specifications (weight, dimensions, barrel length, rate of fire, muzzle velocity, range) were never recorded in surviving documentation and are left null rather than estimated. It was tested by the British Ordnance Board at Pendine (September-October 1943) and Bisley (November 1943) against the Owen Mk II, Austen Mk II, Patchett, Sten Mk IV, Welgun and Vesely V43. It placed respectably but was rejected as fragile and uncomfortable, suffering the most stoppages of any gun in the trial; no known examples survive. It is distinct from both the Owen Gun and the Austen.
Background
Australian engineer Andrews mailed his blueprints to BSA in Britain, who built a handful of prototypes featuring a spare Sten magazine that doubled as the shoulder stock; in the 1943 Ordnance Board trials the gun racked up around eighteen stoppages, the most of any weapon tested, and was rejected as too fragile.