Union/Reifgraber .32 S&W Autopistol

Published on November 28, 2015
Duration: 12:01

The Union/Reifgraber .32 S&W Autopistol, produced by the Union Firearms Company from 1910-1912, features a unique short-recoil, locked-breech mechanism. Notably, it was designed to fire rimmed .32 S&W cartridges and could also use .32 ACP with a special magazine. Designed by Austrian immigrant Joseph Joachim Reifgraber, the pistol was marketed at a premium price of $18.

Quick Summary

The Union/Reifgraber .32 S&W Autopistol, produced 1910-1912, uses a short-recoil, locked-breech system. Designed by Joseph Joachim Reifgraber, it uniquely fires both rimmed .32 S&W and rimless .32 ACP cartridges (with a special magazine). It was marketed by Union Firearms Company for $18.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Union/Reifgraber Autopistol Discovery
  2. 00:52Inventor: Joseph Joachim Reifgraber's Background
  3. 02:20Historical Context: Union Firearms Co. Marketing
  4. 03:44Caliber Design: .32 S&W and .32 ACP Compatibility
  5. 05:53Disassembly: Tool-less Field Stripping
  6. 07:42Mechanical Operation: Locked Breech System

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Union/Reifgraber .32 S&W Autopistol?

The Union/Reifgraber .32 S&W Autopistol is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Joseph Joachim Reifgraber and produced by the Union Firearms Company from 1910-1912. It features a locked-breech, short-recoil action and can fire both .32 S&W and .32 ACP cartridges.

Who designed the Union/Reifgraber Autopistol?

The pistol was designed by Joseph Joachim Reifgraber, an Austrian immigrant born in 1856. Reifgraber was a machinist and inventor, also known for publishing an anarchist newspaper in St. Louis during the late 1880s.

What calibers can the Union/Reifgraber Autopistol fire?

The pistol is marked '.32 CAL' and is uniquely designed to fire rimmed .32 S&W revolver cartridges. It can also function with .32 ACP (Colt rimless smokeless) cartridges, though this requires a special magazine.

How does the Union/Reifgraber Autopistol operate?

It operates using a short-recoil, locked-breech system. A tilting locking block connects the barrel and bolt, unlocking them after a short recoil to allow the bolt to cycle and eject the spent casing.

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