[4] Owen submitted the design to the Australian military, but was rejected, as they were waiting for the British Sten to finish development.

After conducting tests in September that year, the Owen was found to be more accurate and reliable than competing designs such as the Sten and Thompson.

Once again the government overrode military bureaucracy, and took the ammunition through the final production stages and into the hands of Australian troops, at that time fighting Japanese forces in New Guinea.

It is easily recognisable, owing to its unconventional appearance, including the top-mounted magazine, and the side-mounted sight required to allow the firer to aim past it.

Another unusual feature is the separate compartment inside the receiver, which isolates the small-diameter bolt from its retracting handle by means of a small bulkhead.

[13] In jungle warfare, where both mud and sand were frequent problems, the Owen gun was highly regarded by the soldiers.

[16] In 2004, an underground weapons factory was seized in Melbourne, Australia, yielding, among other things, three suppressed copies of the Owen submachine gun and parts to make six more.

These had magazines inserted underneath rather than overhead, and were suspected of having been built for sale to local gangs involved in the illegal drug trade.