COMMON NAMES – Australian STEN

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Australia

DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1943 – 1945

CALIBER – 9x19mm

OVERALL LENGTH – 55.2 cm (21.75 in) (Stock folded), 84.5 cm (33.25 in) (Stock extended)

BARREL LENGTH – 19.8 cm (7.8 in)

RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 6 Groove, Concentric, Right-hand twist

BULLET DIAMETER – 9.02 mm (0.355 in)

BULLET WEIGHT – 8.04 g (124 gr)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 366 m/s (1200 fps)

MUZZLE ENERGY – 538 j (397 ft/lbs)

WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 3.91 kg (8 lbs 10 oz)

WEIGHT (LOADED) – 4.54 kg (10 lbs)

SIGHTS – Front sight – Inverted “V”, rear sight – “L” type flip aperture, set for 91 m (100) and 183 m (200) yds

EFFECTIVE RANGE – 200 m (219 yds)

OPERATION – Blowback

TYPE OF FIRE – Select fire, Semi and Full automatic

RATE OF FIRE – 59 rpm (Semi), 112 rpm (Full)

CYCLIC ROF – 500 rpm

FEED DEVICE – 28 round box magazine, double column, single feed

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.28 kg (10 oz)

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.62 kg (1 lb 6 oz)

BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – 8 magazines (224 rounds)

LOAD WEIGHT – 4.96 kg (10 lbs 15 oz)

MANUFACTURER – Diecasters Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, W J Carmichael and Co. Melbourne, Victoria

STATUS – Obsolete

SERVICE – Australian military

     This was a variation of the Austen Mk I made towards the end of World War II. The bolt was simplified for easier manufacture, the firing pin now being part of the bolt face. This allowed the telescoping mainspring to also be simplified. The main change of the Mk II Austen from its predecessor was the addition of die cast parts to the design. Produced only in small numbers (200 units) during the last two years of the war, the Austen Mk II was a good design that was far out shadowed by its earlier version.

This upper left side view of the Austen MK II has the stock assembly missing. The large disk just above the rear pistol grip would be the pivot point for the folding stock. The notched lug extending out from the receiver, just below the barrel, is the bayonet catch. It can be seen in this picture how the receiver of the Austen Mk II was made up from aluminum die castings, some of the parts being held together with screws as seen just above and in front of the trigger. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
This upper left side view of the Austen MK II has the stock assembly missing. The large disk just above the rear pistol grip would be the pivot point for the folding stock. The notched lug extending out from the receiver, just below the barrel, is the bayonet catch. It can be seen in this picture how the receiver of the Austen Mk II was made up from aluminum die castings, some of the parts being held together with screws as seen just above and in front of the trigger. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The right side of an Austen Mk II with the stock assembly removed. The magazine is inserted into the mag well, as can be seen by the visible magazine feed lips just inside of the ejector opening. Though the MP-40 style telescoping mainspring assembly is in place, the bolt is missing on this specimen. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The right side of an Austen Mk II with the stock assembly removed. The magazine is inserted into the mag well, as can be seen by the visible magazine feed lips just inside of the ejector opening. Though the MP-40 style telescoping mainspring assembly is in place, the bolt is missing on this specimen. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army