US Test Trials White-Merrill .45 Caliber Pistol

Published on March 29, 2017
Duration: 15:59

This guide details the field stripping process for the rare White-Merrill Model 1907 pistol, a participant in the 1907 US military pistol trials. The video, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, demonstrates a straightforward disassembly procedure involving a slide release button and separation of the slide, barrel, and frame. This process is crucial for understanding the pistol's unique internal mechanisms, including its dual recoil springs and tilting slide action, as highlighted by McCollum's expert analysis.

Quick Summary

The White-Merrill Model 1907 was a semi-automatic pistol that competed in the 1907 US military pistol trials. Designed by White and Merrill, it featured a 10-round magazine and a unique tilting-slide action. However, it failed trials due to severe reliability issues, including 40 malfunctions in 110 rounds, preventing its adoption.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the White-Merrill Pistol
  2. 01:04Developers and Design Philosophy
  3. 02:49Unique Mechanical Features
  4. 03:23Trial Performance and Reliability Issues
  5. 05:37Magazine and Loading System
  6. 09:01Technical Operation: Tilting Slide Action
  7. 10:44Disassembly and Internal Components

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the White-Merrill Model 1907 pistol?

The White-Merrill Model 1907 was a semi-automatic pistol designed by Joseph Chester White and Samuel Merrill. It competed in the 1907 US military pistol trials, aiming to be adopted as the standard service sidearm, but ultimately failed due to significant reliability issues.

What were the key features of the White-Merrill Model 1907?

Key features included a 10-round double-stack magazine, a one-handed charging lever, fixed sights mounted on the barrel, and a unique short-recoil, tilting-slide action. It also had a transparent grip window to check ammunition status.

Why did the White-Merrill Model 1907 fail in the military trials?

The pistol suffered from severe reliability problems during the 1907 trials, experiencing 40 malfunctions in just 110 rounds. Issues included failures to feed, extract, eject, light strikes, and parts loosening under recoil, making it unsuitable for military service.

What is the action type of the White-Merrill Model 1907?

The White-Merrill Model 1907 utilizes a short-recoil, tilting-slide action. The barrel locks to the slide via lugs, and the trigger pull initiates the unlocking sequence by tilting the barrel downwards after a short recoil travel.

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