The Owen Gun: Notes on Development & Evolution

This article examines the technical aspects of the controversial developmental history of the Owen sub-machine gun. The history of the gun’s development has been both politicised and mythologised, with the result that relatively little objective analysis of the design process has been undertaken. The author’s examination of documents (including patents, manufacturing data, official documents, and personal letters) and the weapons themselves provides an alternative perspective to these widely disseminated views. This article also addresses the problematic nature of statements made by the gun’s designers and promoters, which are at variance with other information and yet have largely been accepted uncritically in firearms literature. It also seeks to determine, where possible, which elements of the gun were the work of its nominal designer, Evelyn Owen, and which were likely the work of his various collaborators. The role of the Australian Army in the design is also examined in the hope of correcting misconceptions.