Original Book: Limited Quantity Available. “100 Years of Australian Service Machine Guns” was written by Australian Vietnam War veteran, Ian D. Skennerton and was published in 1989 in Margate Australia.

“A companion to "Australian Military Rifles & Bayonets", the release of this study coincides with the introduction of a new gun, the Minimi. Another oddity is that one of the first Colonial machine-guns was the .450 Gatling; today, a modern electric-driven 7.62mm variant is in service in helicopters, about one hundred years after the Gatling guns were introduced here, Australia's history of issues and manufacture is unique, with such renowned foreign guns as the U.S. Thompson or the German Maxim in service alongside Australian legends such as the Owen and the Bren. While Australia generally followed the British lead, there has been a trend over the past decade to adopt U.S., and more recently, European guns, breaking with a long tradition.

This book is intended for serious study or quick reference, with specific chapters in basic chronological order and the major guns described separately at the end of each section. Such a study of the particular Australian production and issues has long been wanting, so this work meets a long-standing requirement.”

About the author:
Born in Maryborough, Qld., Australia in 1948 and schooled at Redcliffe until 1964, Ian then won a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music. An orchestral clarinet & saxophone player, Ian graduated from the Conservatorium with performing & teaching diplomas for piano and clarinet in 1968.

Ian was drafted into the Australian Army in 1969, serving in Vietnam in 1970. After discharge from the armed forces, Ian studied service arms in England during 1980-81, and cataloged arms and filed records at HM Tower of London & RSAF Pattern Room, Enfield.

He was awarded research grants by the Australian War Memorial in 1975 & 1987-89 and has authored and published about 100 titles on British & Empire arms & edged weapons since 1976.

Ian was awarded the annual medal by the British Arms & Armor Society in 1995, and recently nominated a Fellow of the Australian Institute for History and the Arts in 2008. He currently lives on the Gold Coast in Australia.