Austen Mk I
Diecasters Ltd / W. T. Carmichael Ltd · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1942
Also known as: Australian Sten, Austen Submachine Carbine
Overview
The Austen ('Australian Sten') Mk I was a 9x19mm submachine gun developed in 1942 as Australia's hybrid wartime answer to the British Sten and German MP40. It married the Sten Mk II's barrel, receiver, and trigger group with the MP40's folding stock, telescoping bolt cover, and separate firing pin, fed from a side-mounted Sten-pattern magazine. Despite being mechanically reliable, it was overshadowed in Australian service by the homegrown and beloved Owen Gun.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3980 g (140.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 845 mm (33.27") |
| Folded Length | 552 mm (21.73") |
| Barrel Length | 198 mm (7.80") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 28 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 584 J (431 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Sten Pattern Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Selector Safety, Bolt Handle Slot Safety
- Features: Side Mounted Magazine, Folding Metal Stock, Telescoping Bolt Cover, Separate Firing Pin, Select Fire, Two Piece Pistol Grips
Variants
- Austen Mk II — Die Cast Receiver
Service history
Operators
- Australian Army · adopted 1942
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army · adopted 1944
- Rhodesian Security Forces · adopted 1965
Conflicts
- World War II (1942-1945)
- Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949)
- Rhodesian Bush War (1964-1979)
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,114 · Production years: 1942-1944
19,914 Mk I plus approximately 200 Mk II die-cast variants. Manufactured by Diecasters Ltd of Melbourne and W. T. Carmichael Ltd of Sydney.
Origin
Country of origin: Australia
Designer: Lieutenant Vernon Wardell and Lieutenant Carmichael
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
Production totaled 19,914 Mk I units plus around 200 of the die-cast Mk II variant. Australian troops generally preferred the more rugged Owen Gun over the Austen.
Background
Australian soldiers nicknamed the Austen 'the unwanted child of an unwanted marriage,' because while it combined the best features of two enemies' weapons, the troops simply preferred the Owen Gun and its top-mounted magazine that didn't snag on jungle undergrowth.