Bin Shih and the General Liu Rifle

Published on August 10, 2011
Duration: 7:50

This video explores the 'General Li Rifle,' a rare semi-automatic firearm designed by General Li of the KMT Arsenal around 1915. Approximately a dozen were produced in Hartford, Connecticut, by Remington-Whitney. The rifle, chambered in 8mm, featured a gas-operated system similar in principle to the M1 Garand and Bannerman designs. Despite positive test results, it never entered mass production due to General Li's incapacitation and the subsequent chaos of WWI impacting machinery delivery and adoption.

Quick Summary

The 'General Li Rifle' is a rare semi-automatic firearm designed by General Li of the KMT Arsenal around 1915. Approximately a dozen were produced in Hartford, Connecticut, by Remington-Whitney, chambered in 8mm. It features a gas-operated system, similar in principle to the M1 Garand, but never entered mass production due to design issues and historical circumstances.

Chapters

  1. 00:17Introduction to the General Li Rifle
  2. 00:30Designer and Origin of the Li Rifle
  3. 00:53Production in Connecticut with Remington-Whitney
  4. 01:35Reasons for Lack of Production
  5. 01:53Machinery Delivery Delays and Diversion
  6. 02:31Rifle Functionality and Testing
  7. 03:35Caliber and Magazine Capacity
  8. 03:44Gas Operation and Selector Switch
  9. 04:12Comparison to Bannerman Principle and M1 Garand
  10. 04:50Arsenal Markings on US-Made Rifle
  11. 05:00Surviving Examples and Locations
  12. 05:31Origin of Surviving Rifles
  13. 06:15The Scarce Bayonet
  14. 06:38Historical Display and Evidence of Production
  15. 06:55Hesitation to Fire the Rare Rifle
  16. 07:19Conclusion and Further Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'General Li Rifle' and who designed it?

The 'General Li Rifle' is a rare, early semi-automatic firearm designed by General Li of the KMT Arsenal around 1915. It was named by collectors due to its designer, as it lacks a formal designation.

Where was the General Li Rifle produced, and in what caliber?

Approximately a dozen General Li Rifles were produced in Hartford, Connecticut, by Remington-Whitney. These rifles were chambered in 8mm caliber and featured a gas-operated system.

Why did the General Li Rifle never enter mass production?

The rifle never entered mass production primarily due to General Li's incapacitation from a stroke in the late 1910s. Additionally, WWI caused significant delays in machinery delivery, and by the time it arrived, the original proponent was no longer in a position to implement the production.

What were the key mechanical features of the General Li Rifle?

The General Li Rifle is a gas-operated semi-automatic firearm. It features a selector for switching between single-shot and semi-automatic modes and utilizes a muzzle gas collector to operate the action, similar in principle to the M1 Garand.

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