WW2 Liberator FP 45 Pistol | Walk-in Wednesday

Published on November 5, 2019
Duration: 10:01

This video details the FP 45 Liberator pistol, a single-shot .45 caliber firearm developed by the US Army during WWII for clandestine operations. It highlights the pistol's crude stamped sheet metal construction, its intended use as a 'throwaway gun' for resistance fighters, and the controversy surrounding its distribution. The video also covers its operational mechanics, historical context, and collector value.

Quick Summary

The WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol was a clandestine weapon developed by the US Army for resistance fighters. Manufactured by Guide Lamp Corporation, it fired .45 caliber rounds but lacked rifling, limiting its effective range to about 20 feet. Designed as a 'throwaway gun,' it was intended for a single shot to acquire enemy weapons.

Chapters

  1. 00:09Introduction to the Liberator
  2. 00:27Secret Clandestine Operation
  3. 00:41The Liberator FP 45 Pistol
  4. 00:49US Army Joint Task Force Idea
  5. 01:00Guide Lamp Corporation Production
  6. 01:38US Army Contract for 1 Million
  7. 01:47Comparison to the Grease Gun (M3)
  8. 02:14Military Designation: FP 45
  9. 02:20Meaning of FP: Flare Pistol
  10. 02:38No Rifling: Point-Blank Range
  11. 02:46Plan: Drop Behind Enemy Lines
  12. 03:00Intended Use: Single Shot
  13. 03:10Throwaway Gun Instructions
  14. 03:20Variation 1 vs. Variation 2
  15. 03:36Manufacturing Speed: 1 Million in 11 Weeks
  16. 03:55Original Cost: Over $2
  17. 04:01Capacity: 8 Rounds
  18. 04:16How to Operate
  19. 04:45Accuracy: Up to 20 Feet
  20. 05:04Durability Testing: 50 Rounds
  21. 05:42Single Shot, Secret Operation
  22. 05:46Distribution: 500k to England
  23. 05:55British & Eisenhower Dislike
  24. 06:28OSS Distribution
  25. 06:43Debate on Distribution
  26. 06:57Distribution in Asia
  27. 07:10Majority Destroyed or Dumped
  28. 07:20Post-War Use in Poor Countries
  29. 07:50Original Box and Contents
  30. 08:13Cartoon Instructions
  31. 08:36Identifying Originals: Watermark
  32. 09:00Collector Value Today
  33. 09:14Crude Construction Details
  34. 09:29Disappearing Quickly
  35. 09:37Conclusion: The Liberator FP 45

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary purpose of the WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol?

The Liberator FP 45 was designed as a clandestine weapon for resistance fighters in occupied territories during World War 2. Its intended use was for a single shot to neutralize a sentry, allowing the user to then acquire the enemy's weapon and leave the Liberator behind.

Who manufactured the WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol?

The Liberator FP 45 pistol was manufactured by the Guide Lamp Corporation, a division of General Motors, in Indiana. They produced an astonishing 1 million units in just 11 weeks during the war effort.

What caliber is the WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol, and what are its accuracy limitations?

The Liberator FP 45 pistol is chambered in .45 caliber. Due to its lack of rifling and crude construction, it is intended for point-blank range, with effective accuracy limited to approximately 20 feet.

How can one distinguish an original WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol from a reproduction?

A key indicator for authenticating a WW2 Liberator FP 45 pistol is a watermark present in sections 7 and 9 of the original instruction manual. Reproductions typically lack this watermark, though counterfeiters may attempt to replicate it.

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