Richardson Industries Slamfire Guerrilla Shotguns

Published on January 29, 2021
Duration: 21:40

This entry details the Richardson Industries Slamfire Guerrilla Shotguns, including the 'Philippine Guerrilla Gun (Simple)' and the 'Model R5'. It covers their historical context, originating from WWII guerrilla tactics and later commercialized by Iliff David Richardson. The technical specifications, including the slamfire action, 12 gauge caliber, and single-round capacity, are outlined. The guide provides basic operational insights for both models, emphasizing their crude but functional design and historical significance.

Quick Summary

The Richardson Slamfire Guerrilla Guns, including the 'Philippine Guerrilla Gun (Simple)' and 'Model R5', are crude firearms based on WWII Filipino guerrilla designs. They utilize a slamfire action where the barrel slams rearward against a fixed firing pin. Commercial production by Richardson Industries in 1946 failed due to poor sales, and the company folded by 1947.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Richardson Guerrilla Guns
  2. 00:41Biography of Iliff David Richardson
  3. 01:59Guerrilla Origins and Slamfire Design
  4. 03:12Commercial Production and Reception
  5. 05:18Technical Breakdown: Simple Variant
  6. 08:41Technical Breakdown: Model R5
  7. 13:01Range Testing and Ergonomics
  8. 16:01Reliability Issues and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Richardson Slamfire Guerrilla Gun?

The Richardson Slamfire Guerrilla Gun refers to commercially produced shotguns by Richardson Industries, based on crude slamfire designs used by Filipino guerrillas in WWII. They were marketed post-war as utilitarian firearms but saw little success.

How does the slamfire mechanism work on these shotguns?

The slamfire mechanism involves a fixed firing pin. The shotgun fires when the barrel, containing the loaded shell, is slammed rearward against this pin, causing ignition. This is a very basic and potentially hazardous firing system.

What were the main variants of the Richardson Guerrilla Gun?

The primary variants discussed are the 'Philippine Guerrilla Gun (Simple)' and the 'Model R5'. The simple version uses a thumb screw safety, while the R5 features a trigger-actuated pin safety mechanism.

Why did Richardson Industries fail?

Richardson Industries failed primarily due to poor sales of their Guerrilla Guns. Despite their historical connection and low price point, the firearms received sarcastic reviews and did not find a market, leading the company to fold by 1947.

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