Fosbery's Pump Shotgun: An AR15 Bolt in 1891

Published on September 21, 2017
Duration: 6:14

This review delves into Colonel George Fosbery's 1891 pump-action shotgun prototype, a rare piece featuring a sophisticated 6-lug rotating bolt. Despite its advanced design, predating AR-15 bolt technology by decades, it saw no commercial success due to British sportsmen's preference for break-action designs. The example examined was a modified rifle, highlighting Fosbery's innovative, albeit commercially unsuccessful, approach to firearm mechanics.

Quick Summary

Colonel George Fosbery's 1891 pump-action shotgun featured a highly advanced 6-lug rotating bolt, similar to the AR-15's design. This mechanism allowed the bolt to rotate and lock into a barrel extension. Despite its innovation, the shotgun was not commercially successful due to market preferences for break-action designs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Fosbery's 1891 Pump Shotgun
  2. 01:30Mechanical Overview: Slide Action and Bolt
  3. 02:29The 6-Lug Rotating Bolt: AR-15 Similarity
  4. 03:43Markings and Prototype Details (Winchester Barrel)
  5. 04:21Historical Context: Innovation and Influence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about the Fosbery pump shotgun's bolt design?

The Fosbery pump shotgun, patented in 1891, features a sophisticated 6-lug rotating bolt. This design allows the bolt to rotate and lock into a barrel extension, a mechanism that closely resembles the bolt used in the AR-15 rifle decades later.

Why was the Fosbery pump shotgun not commercially successful?

Despite its advanced design, the Fosbery pump shotgun failed commercially primarily because British sportsmen in 1891 were not interested in pump-action mechanisms, preferring traditional break-action shotguns. Its rarity and lack of mass production also contributed.

What historical significance does the Fosbery shotgun hold?

The Fosbery shotgun is significant for showcasing an advanced rotating bolt design with locking lugs in 1891, predating similar mechanisms in iconic firearms like the AR-15 by over 50 years. It represents an early, albeit commercially unsuccessful, exploration of high-performance firearm actions.

Was the Fosbery shotgun based on existing designs?

The specific example discussed was a prototype, originally a rifle modified into a shotgun. Its barrel was marked 'Winchester Repeating Shotgun 1909 Model,' indicating the use of components sourced from Winchester Repeating Arms.

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