Often overlooked…the rounded edges were a design choice as it reduced cuts from sharpe edges. Very important given that risk of infection from even minor wounds in the tropics
Owen received 10,000 pounds for his design. After failed business ventures in a sawmill after the war he died from alcoholism in 1949. The gun that Owen designed and made was a rather crude home made firearm. A next door neighbour of Owen's, Vincent Wardell who was a supervisor at Lysaght in Newcastle NSW and a engineer Freddie Kunzler who also worked at Lysaght developed the gun to it's final design. Lysaght was allowed a 4% profit margin for manufacture. They were not payed by the Government until 1949 with inflation they made a 1.5% profit margin on the manufacture. The Thompson ran out at 300% profit. Major difference.
I had a single opportunity to fire the Owen in those distant days when School Cadet armouries still held some along with Brens. Certainly had to clean a few which I recall as being pretty simple provided you observed the Divine Rule "Don't swap bolts!". It was surprisingly gentle to fire and easy to control even for a skinny teenager. Despite the odd sight podition they actyally worked pretty well for a right hander. Also had an opportunity to fire an F1 after being given a briefing saying that it was not as good as an Owen and wouldn't penetrate corrugated iron at 25 metres. Apparently not a fan.
I can bet when Australia decide to adopt the Steyr Aug as their Main Rifle a few of those folks who decided maybe bear the Owen SMG, 'cause nearly the same ergonomics.
The F1 was ok to me no where as good as the Owen if I had a stoppage it was with the F1 I don't remember one with the Owen Oh only when the mag was empty
FW is of the opinion that the Finish Suomi 31 was the best SMG of WW2. From a technical standpoint this is probably true. However, I would argue that the Owen was definitely the best SMG of the Pacific theatre, due to to its reliability.
Well it's always going to be a subjective call, and the Pps41 is an iconic weapon for a reason. The idea of the Tu-2Sh is mind bending too. But I stand by the Owen.
No chance. The 'Papasha' didn't come close to the Owen for reliability and the drum magazine was easily knocked out of position, a fault that wasn't fixed until late in the war.
Utter bullshit Check out the videos of the testing and see how poorly the Thompson fared. Plus it was heavier and the Thompson's designers had a massive profit margin (around 300-400% by memory; the Owen's was just a couple of points above cost) and Australia would've had to pay a licence fee to manufacture it, making it hideously expensive. NOTHING touched the Owen in jungle orv desert conditions, or anything in between.
Often overlooked…the rounded edges were a design choice as it reduced cuts from sharpe edges. Very important given that risk of infection from even minor wounds in the tropics
The stump jump plough and the owen SMG...great Aussie inventions
100% Agree. The Owen should have been the allied SMG in WW2. Or at least copied.
The Thompson had over a 100% profit margin.
300% actually.
Owen received 10,000 pounds for his design. After failed business ventures in a sawmill after the war he died from alcoholism in 1949.
The gun that Owen designed and made was a rather crude home made firearm.
A next door neighbour of Owen's, Vincent Wardell who was a supervisor at Lysaght in Newcastle NSW and a engineer Freddie Kunzler who also worked at Lysaght developed the gun to it's final design. Lysaght was allowed a 4% profit margin for manufacture. They were not payed by the Government until 1949 with inflation they made a 1.5% profit margin on the manufacture. The Thompson ran out at 300% profit. Major difference.
Thanks for the context I was only aware of about half of that. 😮
Wars are good for some businesses , not so good for others .
outstanding report, technical & very interesting history!
Very glad you enjoyed it.
Criticism of the overhead mag neglects the same feature in the very effective Bren.
Plus the SMG is not exactly designed for snipers.
My father had an Owen Gun in PNG in WW2. He swore by it and said it saved his life many timex.
I had a single opportunity to fire the Owen in those distant days when School Cadet armouries still held some along with Brens. Certainly had to clean a few which I recall as being pretty simple provided you observed the Divine Rule "Don't swap bolts!". It was surprisingly gentle to fire and easy to control even for a skinny teenager. Despite the odd sight podition they actyally worked pretty well for a right hander. Also had an opportunity to fire an F1 after being given a briefing saying that it was not as good as an Owen and wouldn't penetrate corrugated iron at 25 metres. Apparently not a fan.
what a great video. Liked
Thank you! Cheers!
I can bet when Australia decide to adopt the Steyr Aug as their Main Rifle a few of those folks who decided maybe bear the Owen SMG, 'cause nearly the same ergonomics.
Except the Steyr is a bullpup.
It’s basically a pipe gun before anyone was aware of such a term.
The F1 was not an improvement,just a political decision to be seen to do something, follow the money !
The Fi didn't have any of the features that made the Owen so reliable.
The F1 was ok to me no where as good as the Owen if I had a stoppage it was with the F1 I don't remember one with the Owen Oh only when the mag was empty
FW is of the opinion that the Finish Suomi 31 was the best SMG of WW2. From a technical standpoint this is probably true. However, I would argue that the Owen was definitely the best SMG of the Pacific theatre, due to to its reliability.
Well the Owen only saw combat in the pacific. Given the opportunity.who knows?
The Suomi was more expensive to produce and heavier.
Phenomenal engineering
who cares what it looked like
The diggers darling there is no substitute 🇦🇺
Was the Owen ever tested against the M3 "Grease Gun?" I suspect it would still be better, but the M3 held up better than the Thompson and Sten.
Not to my knowledge
Oh, dang skippy, maing! 👍
is this ugly SMG the best?? ???
Australian Diggers would visit the factory in Newcastle NSW to thank them. It was very highly regarded.
Yes
Looks don't determine what makes a weapon great.
Range 25 yards
It's the diggers darling
Pps41 was the best nothing more to say
Well it's always going to be a subjective call, and the Pps41 is an iconic weapon for a reason. The idea of the Tu-2Sh is mind bending too. But I stand by the Owen.
No chance. The 'Papasha' didn't come close to the Owen for reliability and the drum magazine was easily knocked out of position, a fault that wasn't fixed until late in the war.
@@brucelamberton8819 papasha killed more nazis than any other gun
Nonsense the Thompson outclassed it in every way 👍
The Owen was chosen for political purposes and everyone knows it 🙄
Incoherent prattle.
Utter bullshit Check out the videos of the testing and see how poorly the Thompson fared. Plus it was heavier and the Thompson's designers had a massive profit margin (around 300-400% by memory; the Owen's was just a couple of points above cost) and Australia would've had to pay a licence fee to manufacture it, making it hideously expensive. NOTHING touched the Owen in jungle orv desert conditions, or anything in between.