October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Very scarce and desirable Diecasters Ltd manufactured Austen MK I machine gun. Particularly noteworthy in the production of this gun was the use of diecasting to fabricate the magazine housing and top part of the magazine as well as end cap to expedite the manufacturing process. The Australians improved on the Sten design by incorporating a folding stock and utilizing and enclosed telescoping mainspring after the manner of the German MP-40. Even the grip panels closely resemble the MP-40. The addition of the forward vertical pistol grip undoubtedly was inspired by the American Thompson. The resulting Austen (Australian Sten) machine gun is a very comfortable select-fire machine gun to shoot. ATF Registration form shows, "AUSTRALIA” in the manufacture’s block. Includes one original 28 round Austen magazine with remnants of green paint in evidence. Manufacturer’s logo “DC” within a circle on top of magazine housing. Prominent “SAFE” within a diamond shaped border at safe position on receiver tube. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine smooth gray original finish with some slight thinning in places. Grips extremely fine with one forward grip panel slightly loose. Mechanics are fine. Bore has extremely fine shiny rifling turning dark in the grooves. Bolt face is very fine. This is a select fire machine gun. A wonderful combination of the ease of production of the Sten with good ideas borrowed from other successful designs. A great recreational as well as historic machine gun. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY TO ACTIVE FFL/SOT DEALERS ON AN ATF FORM 3 BUT MAY BE RETAINED BY SOLE PROPRIETOR FFL/SOT HOLDERS WHEN THEY RELINQUISH THEIR LICENSES UPON BATF APPROVAL. JWK 2019-10-118