Austen Submachine Gun

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	Weapon: Austen Submachine Gun Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: Australia Year Adopted: 1942 Caliber: 9mm Luger Action: Blow Back Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 750.0 Weight (kg): 4.00 Effective Range (m): 150

The Austen Submachine Gun was an Australian-designed weapon developed during World War II as a locally produced alternative to the British Sten gun. Combining elements from the Sten Mk II and the German MP40, the Austen (short for "Australian Sten") featured a folding stock similar to the MP40 and a simplified, tubular design inspired by the Sten. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and utilizing a side-mounted magazine, the Austen was designed for close-quarters combat, with a selective-fire capability enabling both semi-automatic and fully automatic operation.

Production of the Austen began in 1942, with over 19,000 units manufactured by W. T. Carmichael Ltd. and other Australian contractors during the war. Although initially intended to supplement the Sten for Australian and Commonwealth forces in the Pacific Theater, the Austen's design proved less robust and reliable in the harsh jungle conditions. Its use was limited primarily to Australian and New Zealand forces, with some units seeing combat against Japanese forces in New Guinea and other Pacific campaigns. Despite its flaws, the Austen provided a much-needed domestic option during a period of supply shortages.

The Austen is notable for its attempt to combine design elements from two iconic submachine guns, but it gained a mixed reputation due to its reliability issues and complex manufacturing process. It was eventually overshadowed by the simpler and more reliable Owen Gun, another Australian design that excelled in jungle warfare. Today, the Austen remains a curiosity among firearms collectors and historians, symbolizing wartime ingenuity and the challenges of domestic weapon production during a global conflict.