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Post by alburg on May 14, 2006 19:34:34 GMT 1
A mate send me this pic so I don't know who it belongs to so I am sorry if somebody feels offended by me using it. So to my question, the magazines used on those Brens are they "field modified" or could you get them like that or are they just trial magazines??  Thank you and cheers Sven |
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Tim
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Post by Tim on May 14, 2006 22:08:26 GMT 1
Hi, I may be shot down by tom or Kevin on this ;D Ive not seen any literature on this size of magazine, tom will now probably show the drawing for them  , However as a fan of the western desert theater i do know that they were up for experimenting to a greater degree than other brit forces of the time . The car is an early recce type , the brens are all mk 1 and the mount does not look like a motley. This could very well be a theater experiment to rectify a dire lack of AA defence availiable to the desert forces. Thier is a definate joint at the center of the mags, a factory produced item would try to avoid this as it carries a natural posibility for a jammed magazine, looks like a field trail job. Okay guys ...........shoot me down! ;D |
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Post by britplumber on May 14, 2006 22:25:12 GMT 1
I dont think it could have been much of a success!!
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Tim
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Post by Tim on May 14, 2006 22:31:53 GMT 1
Dont have a problem with the quad mount , but all of them i have seen have used drum mags by preference for ammo supply.
Magazine that length would have a lot of friction to overcome ,
and you have to consider the dusty environs out thier
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Post by Kev on May 14, 2006 22:41:14 GMT 1
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Post by tom on May 15, 2006 20:53:54 GMT 1
Its new to me, looks like a field expediant. I think the Aussies trialed huge curved magazines for the Owen (theres a pic in Saddle Up, although for the life of me I can't think why they would have a curved mag for 9mm Para except to reduce the hieght it stuck up. Saying that Sterling Mags are a bit curved...)
What was the Frog one the Americans also used in WWI, Chauchat? that had a similar shape.
Anyway, I don't think they were factory made.
ATB
Tom
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Post by woodsy on May 15, 2006 21:21:57 GMT 1
Hi Tom The first experimental Owens had a very curved magazine because they were made for the .38 S&W cartridge. They also did a few in .45 for an anticipated US order. All of the Owen 9mm mags were straight. The 9mm Para is slightly tapered, hence the gentle curve in the Sterling mag. These mags are superbly designed and give reliability and ease of loading that is unsurpassed.  |
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Post by tom on May 15, 2006 22:30:44 GMT 1
Cheers Rod!
The pic is on page 72 of "Saddle Up" and the mag bends over to almost touch the rear of the flash hider. The caption goes
"... with an experimental 60 round magazine on his Owen gun on Labuan Island in June 1945."
ATB
Tom
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Post by woodsy on May 16, 2006 2:12:23 GMT 1
Hmmm! The .38 models were only experimental in 1941. All production Owens were in 9mm, and production had ceased by 1945 (September 1944) so the photo you have is of something not recorded in the various Owen publications I have. The world is full of surprises! Could you scan and send me a copy of the picture for my records please? ;D
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Post by tom on May 16, 2006 7:58:57 GMT 1
No worries, I'll scan and e it you when I get home.
ATB
Tom
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Post by 303gunner on May 16, 2006 16:33:31 GMT 1
Actually, Rod, the first Owens were in .32 S&W. The pic can be found online in the AWM database. Go to the Collections search and type in 109123 |
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Post by Kev on May 16, 2006 17:37:57 GMT 1
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Post by woodsy on May 16, 2006 21:38:57 GMT 1
Actually, Rod, the first Owens were in .32 S&W. The pic can be found online in the AWM database. Go to the Collections search and type in 109123 Owen's original gun was .22 with a drum - a la Thompson, and the first Lysaght's prototype was made in .32 ACP with a side mounted mag - a la Sten (one gun only). This was followed by an experimental .45 ACP gun which had the traditional top mounted mag, followed by the .38 S&W prototype. The Australian Army then ordered 100 .38 guns for feild trials (16/6/41) and the first trials 9mms were ordered on 30/10/41. The first 9mm production guns (2000) were ordered on 20/11/41 and the rest is history. I am lucky enough to have two Owens in my collection (a Mark 1 and a Mark 2/3) as well as two different Austens. ;D The Owens and Austens are very thin on the ground as the Australian Government had a very efficient destruction process which got about 90% of the Owens and 95% of the Austens.  |
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Post by tom on May 16, 2006 23:27:27 GMT 1
I gave up looking for a deac Owen in the UK, got tired of dealers laughing at me.
A mate in Oz has sourced me a NOS fore grip for the Owen. Has anyone had any joy in finding more about the conversion so it will fit onto the front mounting pin of the Bren, as used in Malaya/Borneo? I'd love to have one made up to go on my Mk 3 when its cosmetically restored.
ATB
Tom
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Post by Richard Fisher on May 17, 2006 8:34:37 GMT 1
Replica Owen's are available from Warwick Firearms in Australia. Work out about £300 a go. Haven't checked the build to see how 'replica' they are but can't see it would be any different to importing the numerous MGC replicas that are about.
Was going to get one (and still will one day) but then I bought more Vickers stuff!!
Rich
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, However as a fan of the western desert theater i do know that they were up for experimenting to a greater degree than other brit forces of the time . The car is an early recce type , the brens are all mk 1 
