OWEN GUN INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The book is a military training and maintenance manual for the Australian Owen machine carbine. Its purpose was to teach soldiers how the weapon worked, how to operate and maintain it, and how to deal with common problems.

The main subjects are:

• Description of the Owen gun — identifies the major components and explains their purpose.
• How the weapon operates — explains the basic functioning of the gun and its firing mechanism.
• Loading and firing — gives soldiers the procedures they needed to operate the weapon correctly.
• Magazine and ammunition — explains the use of the Owen's detachable magazine and ammunition.
• Stripping and assembling — covers taking the weapon apart for cleaning and putting it back together.
• Cleaning and maintenance — stresses keeping the weapon clean and properly maintained, particularly under field conditions.
• Stoppages and malfunctions — provides procedures for dealing with problems that could prevent the gun from operating.
• Parts and diagrams — includes illustrations to help soldiers identify the different components.