Owen Mk I (or I/42) 9 mm sub machine gun, c.1943 (photo)

Wooden butt and bakelite grips. Painted in jungle camouflage. The Owen was an indigenous Australian design developed in 1942 and widely used in World War Two. It was much more reliable than the Sten which was regarded with suspicion by many soldiers particularly when used on jungle patrols. Many regiments preferred the Owen when it was available. The Owen had an unusual overhead feeding magazine. However it was a tough and reliable weapon. In Malaya it was available in considerable numbers and often provided most of the patrol's firepower. The design was so effective that it remained in service well into the 1960s.