The Austen was essentially a modified BritishSten gun with features appropriated from the GermanMP40. Instead of the Sten's fixed stock and lack of grips, the metal stock of the Austen could fold and the weapon had two plastic pistol grips. The gun had a selective-fire feature permitting the shooter to fire single shots or fully automatic fire at 500 rounds per minute. Sten Gun Type Service sub-machine gun Nationality United Kingdom Era World War II Platform Individual Target Personnel History Date of design 1941 Production period 1941 - Service duration 1941 - early 1960s Operators United Kingdom, Commonwealth, Partisans War service World War II, Korean War, Specifications Type select-fire sub machine... Maschinenpistole 40 Nationality Germany Type Submachine gun Inventor Erma Werk Date of design 1938 Service duration 1939-1945 Cartridge 9 x 19 mm Action Blowback Rate of fire 500 rpm Muzzle velocity ~380 mps Effective range ~ 100 m Unloaded mass 3. ...
An improved version, the Mark II Austen, had an accompanying bayonet designed to fit over the muzzle compensator. Only 200 examples of this model of bayonet were produced. In 1944 a shortened version of the standard Pattern 1907, or No. 1 Mark I bayonet, was designed for use with the Austen.
Despite these improvements the weapon did not prove successful in jungle warfare. It was less popular with Australian troops than the Australian designed Owen.
Ishapore-made.303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifles have appeared with 1980's manufacture dates suggesting that it may still be manufactured in the Indian sub-continent.
Photos from the current civil war in Nepal show that the Government troops are being issued SMLE MK III/III* rifles to fight the Maoist Rebels with.
The SMLEs seen thus far are not in especially good condition, but it should also be noted that the Maoists are also armed with SMLEs (and anything else they can acquire), but as to whether the SMLEs in question are of British or Indian manufacture is unknown, as is the year of manufacture.
The British 1945 No. 7 Mk I Jungle Carbine Bayonet, with swivel top The blade is that of the No 5 Rifle Bayonet and the No 5 crosspiece was used without
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