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6 Prototype and Experimental Firearms Seen in December 2019 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction Catalog

December 2019 Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction is the last large American auction of the year. As always, when its online catalog was published I started browsing it to put together one of TFB’s articles about the rarest and most unusual firearms seen in the largest US auctions . I ended up with a list of lots that I considered most interesting and then realized that my list mostly consists of prototype and experimental firearms. While there are such guns in any Rock Island Premier auction, this one has a notoriously large amount of them many of which are really unique. That’s why I decided to write this article as a bit of a departure from what we normally cover in our series (rare and unusual guns in general) and dedicate it to telling about the experimental and prototype firearms seen in December 2019 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction catalog.

The list presented below goes in no particular order. The model names are linked to the corresponding Rock Island Auction pages where you can find more and higher resolution images as well as more detailed descriptions of the lots.

1. Wilfred Ellis “Fort Ellis” XR86 Experimental Rifle

Fort Ellis is the name that Wilfred Ellis, a master gunsmith from Abington, Pennsylvania, gave to his …home shop! Designed in 1986 in “Fort Ellis”, this rifle is a Frankengun composed of a number of borrowed parts and design ideas from other firearms some of which are modified to serve other roles. For example, an AR-15 trigger is used as a charging handle. The XR86 hass an M60 muzzle device, AR-15 bolt carrier group and barrel nut, M14 gas piston assembly, M16 pistol grip and buttstock, and a trigger designed for 1911 pistol double action conversions. The rifle is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and fed from AR-15 magazines. The magazine is attached from the left side of the rifle and the ejection port faces downward. The gun has no iron sights but it features an accessory rail section on top of the carry handle.

Estimated Price:$3,500 – $5,500

2. Five Barrel Rimfire Duck foot Pistol

The model name and origin of this duck foot pistol are unknown due to the lack of markings. Compared to the relatively more common percussion duck foot pistols this one has a harmonica-type 5-round magazine and it’s chambered in .32 Rimfire. The similarity to percussion duck foots is that this pistol also fires all five cartridges simultaneously. Such a pistol design could have an advantage in very specific scenarios. If you are facing a bunch of enemies and need to do as much damage as possible, then you could hit up to five targets at once at close distances. However, if there are people or objects in the area that you don’t want to damage, then shooting such a pistol is a recipe for a disaster. Also, despite having 5 rounds you have only one shot before a need to reload. This particular duck foot pistol was probably an attempt to solve the latter issue by having some sort of a magazine that could be reloaded relatively quickly. Having a barrel centered in the middle should also be an advantage compared to four-barrel duck foots in that it will allow hitting a single target which may be a challenge with the 4-barrel duck foot pistols that lack a centered barrel.

Estimated Price:$5,500 – $8,500

3. Experimental Gustloff Werke Semi-Automatic Pistol

This pistol was designed in 1938/39 in Gustloff Werke in Suhl, Germany. It has a zinc alloy frame with an aluminum trigger guard and dust cover portion of the frame. The slide is made of steel. The pistol is chambered in .32 ACP and has a direct/simple blowback operation mechanism. It is a hammer-fired pistol with a single action trigger mechanism and an internal hammer. This pistol was designed to be a new police handgun but it was never adopted.

Estimated Price:$3,000 – $4,500

4. Prototype Bullpup Over and Under 10 Gauge Shotgun

A bullpup over and under 10 gauge shotgun – if that doesn’t sound interesting enough, then what if I tell you that its barrels are also curved. The two barrels are straight in the front portion but somewhere in the middle, they curve down to fit the angle of the stock. That’s a really interesting experiment and I am pretty sure it could work just fine without any negative effect on the shot pattern. As with other bullpup firearms, the main advantage of such a layout is to have a much more compact overall length at a given barrel length. The hinged breech block of this shotgun is located at the very end of the buttstock and adds only 1 3/4″ to the 33.5″ of barrels’ length.

Estimated Price:$1,800 – $2,750

5. Colt T-12 Pen Gun

Colt T-12 single shot pen gun was presumably developed for OSS/CIA agents. This is a single-shot firearm and in order to load it, you need to unscrew the barrel insert the cartridge, screw the barrel back, cock the striker by pulling the brass knob back and either fix it in the safety notch of the L-shaped slot or release it to fire the gun. Although the way it functions is similar to many other pen guns, what sets this one apart is its size – note how small it is compared to a penny. The overall length is two inches and this miniature gun fires .12 caliber cartridges. Now that’s a real-world James Bond gun.

Estimated Price:$2,750 – $4,250

6. Percussion Triple Barrel Shotgun

Last in our list is a steampunky triple-barrel muzzleloading shotgun. It is hard to tell whether the clockwork was supposed to remain exposed or if the final version would have at least some of the guts covered. The two side by side barrels of this shotgun are fired by a pair of normal percussion hammers and the third bottom barrel is fired by an underhammer mechanism. What looks like a trigger guard is actually the trigger for the bottom barrel. Another interesting design element is that the buttstock is hinged and can move up and down. Whether this was meant to be a stock with an adjustable drop or it was purely a prototype feature to determine the desired drop is also hard to tell because there is virtually nothing known about the origin of this gun.

Estimated Price:$2,500 – $4,000

And that’s the list of most interesting prototype and experimental firearms seen in the December 2019 Rock Island Premier Firearms Auction catalog. As I mentioned above, this is not the full list of such firearms in the RIAC catalog. These are just my picks. There are also a couple of Colt Woodsman pistol prototypes, six Winchester rimfire bolt action pistol prototypes, several prototype lever-action Winchesters and many other experimental guns. And as usual, the catalog is also full of fascinating firearms that are rare, historically significant or are unbelievably well preserved. The December 2019 Rock Island Premier firearms auction will take place on December 6, 7 and 8 . Stay tuned to learn about the top most expensive lots sold during this auction which we’ll present you shortly after the auction ends and the list of prices realized is published.

Images courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company , www.rockislandauction.com

Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at [email protected]

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Join the conversation

This is how you treat a wound from the pen gun. By the way, it actually works well on mosquito bites!

https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

• See 1 previous

@Collecting History Huh. I've always used alone vera to treat them

@Collecting History Not trying to sound rude but go ahead and push that hot spoon in your eyesocket or in your ear, after a killer shot you with the pen gun. This is clearly designed to kill at point blank ranges during an assassination, not for self defense.

For Mosquito bites: The piezzo-element from a lighter also works fine.

Have you guys ever considered giving Ian at forgotten weapons any credit. You straight up copy what ever he does. It's sad. It's lame. It's what you are

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The Gatalog

Open Source 3D Gun Library

Who is The Gatalog

The Gatalog is a community-driven online platform that provides 3D printable firearm designs and technical data packages. The website is run by a team of enthusiasts who are passionate about firearms and believe in the right to bear arms. The Gatalog offers a wide range of designs, including printable frames and receivers, suppressors, magazines, and accessories.

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The Gatalog Continued

The Gatalog’s mission is to provide a platform for individuals to exercise their Second Amendment rights by creating and sharing open-source firearm designs. The website is committed to promoting responsible gun ownership and safety. The Gatalog also offers a beta program that allows users to test new designs and provide feedback to the developers.

The Gatalog is a controversial website that has received criticism from gun control advocates and praise from gun rights activists. Some argue that the website makes it too easy for individuals to create untraceable firearms, while others believe that it is a valuable resource for gun enthusiasts who want to exercise their right to bear arms. Despite the controversy, The Gatalog continues to grow in popularity and has become a hub for the 3D printing and firearms communities.

What is The Gatalog?

The Gatalog is a collection of 3D printable designs and technical data packages that can be used to create firearms, accessories , and other related items. It was created by a group of individuals who were interested in developing and sharing open-source designs that could be used to create functional firearms and related items.

The Gatalog includes a variety of different designs, including printable frames and receivers, DIY suppressors, 3D printable magazines, and various accessories. The designs are organized into different categories to make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.

One of the main goals of The Gatalog is to provide individuals with access to designs that can be used to create firearms and related items without having to rely on traditional manufacturers. This can be particularly useful for individuals who live in countries with strict gun control laws , or for those who simply want to create their own custom firearms or accessories.

The History of The Gatalog

Early beginnings.

The Gatalog began as a small online community of 3D printing enthusiasts who shared designs and ideas. In 2018, the community decided to create a website to catalog and organize their growing collection of 3D printable designs. They named it The Gatalog.

The Gatalog started out as a simple website with a few categories of designs. Members could submit their own designs and rate others. The website quickly gained popularity, and more members joined the community. The Gatalog team worked hard to improve the website and add new features.

Growth and Expansion

As The Gatalog grew, so did the number of designs and categories. The website became a valuable resource for 3D printing enthusiasts, with thousands of designs available for free download. The Gatalog team also added new features, such as a chat room and a beta program for testing new designs.

As hosting became more of an issue The Gatalog has now moved all files to they decentralized video and file hosting website, odysee.com .

The Gatalog’s 3D Files

Hybrid designs.

The Gatalog is a collection of 3D printable gun files that has gained popularity among firearm enthusiasts. The Gatalog’s 3D files are designed by various contributors and cover a wide range of firearm designs, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The files are available for download on Odysee.com and can be printed using a 3D printer.

Printable Frames

One of the most popular categories of 3D files available on The Gatalog is printable frames. These frames are designed to be used as the base for a firearm and can be customized with various components to create a functional weapon. The Gatalog offers a variety of printable frames, including those for AR-15s, AK-47s, and Glock handguns.

Accessories

In addition to printable frames, The Gatalog also offers a variety of 3D printable firearm accessories. These accessories include magazines, suppressors, and other components that can be used to modify a firearm. 

The Gatalog’s Community

The Gatalog is more than just a collection of 3D printable gun designs. It is a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for firearms and the freedom to own and create them. Members of The Gatalog’s community come from all walks of life, from engineers and gunsmiths to hobbyists and enthusiasts.

The community is centered around The Gatalog’s website, where members can download designs, share their own creations, and collaborate on new projects. The website also features forums where members can discuss everything from technical details to political issues related to firearms ownership and 3D printing.

One of the key features of The Gatalog’s community is its commitment to safety and responsible gun ownership. Members are encouraged to follow all applicable laws and regulations, and to take appropriate safety precautions when handling firearms. The website also provides resources and guides for safe and responsible gun ownership.

Another important aspect of The Gatalog’s community is its dedication to innovation and creativity. Members are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing technology, experimenting with new materials and designs to create firearms that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The website features a wide range of designs, from classic firearms like the AK-47 to more experimental designs like the KF5.

Overall, The Gatalog’s community is a vibrant and passionate group of individuals who share a common goal: to promote the freedom to own and create firearms. Whether you are an experienced gunsmith or a novice hobbyist, The Gatalog’s community offers a wealth of resources and support to help you explore the exciting world of 3D printed firearms.

Future Plans for The Gatalog

In addition to expanding their user base, The Gatalog is also working to improve the user experience on the platform. This includes making it easier to find and download designs, improving the search functionality, and implementing new features to help users create and share their own designs.

The Gatalog is poised to remain a leading platform for DIY gun enthusiasts for years to come.

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News | Jun 3, 2019

US Army researchers are turning it ‘up to 11’ to make hypervelocity firearms

Patented technologies are scalable and available to industry partners

U.S. Army soldiers fire a .50-caliber machine gun.

Robert Barney/Army

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland ­­–– Behind the walls of the Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory a team of engineers is testing and tweaking a new breech and barrel design that doubles the muzzle velocity of standard-issue rifles.

Among their goals is hypervelocity for extended range lethality from standard-sized weapons, and full-sized rifle velocities with firearms that are half the weight, half the length, and hold more ammunition than the Army’s M4 carbine.

In future combat, U.S. soldiers and unmanned systems will defeat soft targets with very short machine guns, or hard targets at long ranges with higher levels of kinetic energy.

One of the weapons being developed is an ultra-light-weight machine gun still in the R&D phase, which will feature a high-capacity magazine (around 50 rounds).

The prototype’s barrel is a mere 10 inches long.

Experimental firings were conducted in March with a cartridge that contained less than a gram of propellant (15 grains).

The muzzle velocity was over 2,900 feet per second, outperforming similar short-barreled weapons like the FN P90, which rates at 2,350 feet per second at the muzzle.

“The goal is to get rifle-like velocities out of a very small weapon that is high capacity, that’s either adaptable for room-clearing or confined spaces,” said Zac Wingard, a mechanical engineer at the lab. “Like you’re getting in and out of vehicles or a subterranean environment, but also applicable for remotely operated systems, so think like perimeter security or ground robot or even a drone.”

The enabling technologies the Army has invented could be used in any firearm (semi-automatic pistols, belt-fed machine guns, or bolt-action sniper rifles), including a new breech and bolt design, which allow smaller cartridges to achieve enhanced ballistic performance.

But to withstand the increase in chamber pressure and still be able to cycle, the standard bolt and locking lugs mechanism that holds the cartridge would need to be substantially increased in size and weight—adding to the already overburdened soldier.

So, the conventional designs were replaced by a new bolt assembly that twists in and out of the barrel breech like a screw, said Alex Michlin, the Army research engineer who invented it.

Illustration of the Army's new bolt design that accommodates the necessary increase in pressure required by hypervelocity firearms.

Courtesy Zac Wingard/ARL

“The powder used now in most ammunitions can be tweaked, so it runs at a higher pressure, but the guns can’t handle it,” Michlin said. “That’s why we designed the new breech, so we can take existing propellant and turn the knob all the way up to 11.”

And under the increased pressure, the metallic shell casings tend to stick in the barrel. So, Michlin also invented a collet to surround the cartridge when seated in the chamber. The tapered wedges of the collet reduce extraction forces by 50%, leaving more energy for cycling the bolt.

Illustration of the patent-pending collet that enables extraction of hypervelocity cartridge casings. (Courtesy ARL)

And the barrels being tested are also new, sort of.

Tapered-bore guns propel a swageable projectiles propelled down a constricted caliber barrel for high muzzle velocity and reduced aerodynamic drag. This technology was first demonstrated in the 1930s for medium caliber, high-velocity anti-tank guns that were fielded by Germany during World War II. After the war, all tapered bore gun efforts failed to achieve projectile structural integrity, but Army researchers have succeeded and are improving on the tapered-bore design to boost velocity, delivering more energy on target.

But the U.S. Army’s new 24-inch prototype barrel produced muzzle velocities of 4,600 to 5,750 feet per second .

The combustion chamber pressure was increased from 65 ksi to 100 ksi (100,000 pounds per square inch), almost double the pressure seen in the M4 carbine.

Army researchers are also pursuing tapered bore guns to improve the ballistics of very compact, high capacity weapons. By refining projectile aerodynamics and a high capacity prototype gun, Army researchers are realizing a new class of firearms under 15 inches in overall length.

This illustration explains the Army Research Laboratory's tapered bore design that enables hypervelocity firearms. In the 1930s, the German army developed antitank guns using a similar design with a barrel that reduced from 28mm at the breach to 20mm at the muzzle.

Courtesy Army Research Laboratory

In partnership with the Army Research Laboratory’s Technology Transfer and Outreach Office, TechLink is searching for capable industry partners that can transition the firearm and projectile designs into production for sales to military or civilian customers.

Private companies can leverage the Army’s research by licensing the patent rights from the Army or partnering with the lab through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.

“These are disruptive technologies built for a real requirement, lethality, and that means there’s interest in transitioning it to the warfighter because they enable products that outperform what’s currently available,” said Brian Metzger, a senior technology manager at TechLink. “And because we’re the partnership intermediary, we can help companies of all sizes collaborate with the Army.”

Articles & Downloads

• U.S. Patent 9,759,501 - Breech Assembly
• U.S. Patent App. 2019/0017764 - Collet Assembly

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Actual Weapons That Look Like They're From A Sci-Fi Movie

With an emphasis on versatility, range, and light weight, many modern firearms look nothing like guns of decades past. In fact, some look like they are futuristic weapons sent from centuries ahead of us, with their odd angles, accessories, and rounded edges. Many of these futuristic guns have actually been used in films and TV to depict weapons of the future, though usually with odd bits added on to look like scopes or grenade launchers.

A few examples of these sci-fi weapons are the Valmet M-82 submachine gun, used in The Terminator ; the TDI Vector in Total Recall ; and the Claridge/Goncz pistol in Firefly . Some of the weapons on this list really are from the future, as they're experimental combat systems being developed by the United States and other nations. No doubt once they go into production, they'll show up in movies and TV with extra doodads fastened on them, just as other sci-fi guns have had.

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Chatellerault Experimental SMGs: MAC48 & 48LS

Continuing our look at the French submachine gun designs from the Chatellerault Arsenal, today we have the MAC48 and MAC48LS (lightened and simplified). In the development program that would eventually lead to adoption of the MAT-49, Chatellerault began with a couple of very light delayed blowback designs in 1947 (https://youtu.be/btyGG2wfwoY). When those were rejected, they turned to a style of gun more influenced by the Sten and M3 Grease Gun in 1948.

The regular MAC48 used a wooden fixed stock and pistol grip, and was chambered for 9x19mm, using MP40 magazines (France did not have its own standard 9mm SMG magazine at this point, and MP40 magazines were plentiful). The bolt is clearly derived from a Sten, and the gun is heavier than the 1947 models but also much less complex.

A second pattern was the MAC48LS, a lighter and even simpler version of the design. This used a removable cover at the rear of the receiver for disassembly, and replaced the wooden stock with a telescoping wire stock like the American M3. It also brought back the folding magazine well, which the MAC48 did not have. This pattern is starting to get fairly close to the final design that was adopted (although it would be a Tulle design, not a Chatellerault one).

There were a few other variations on the MAC48 pattern, including a long barreled one with a bipod, and a version with twin triggers to allow semiauto fire – unfortunately we don’t have access to either of those today.

Many thanks to the French IRCGN (Criminal Research Institute of the National Gendarmerie) for generously giving me access to film these unique specimens for you!

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10 Comments

The grip safety appears to add a “drop safe” feature preventing accidentally firing when the weapon is dropped on its butt stock.

Ian: This is Ralph Wong. You know me. Like you to contact me as I have an interesting gun that might interest you. Thanks, Ralph

Hi Ralph – I tried sending you an email and it bounced. What is your correct email address? Alternatively, can you send me an email at [email protected] ?

Have you tried the Owen Gun, yet!?

I was offered a tray of crates of Bourbon for one!

“Have you tried the Owen Gun, yet!?(…)” This weapon did already appear at ForgottenWeapons as Get Your Sunglasses, it’s Original Owen Gun Camo! https://www.forgottenweapons.com/get-your-sunglasses-its-original-owen-gun-camo/

Does the grip safety on these guns lock the bolt in place?

I was watching a video by the Chap on the Range recently about the MAT 49. He said the grip safety on that piece just locked the bolt in place when it was forward, to stop bolt bounce, but it did not act as safety when the bolt was retracted. The only real safety was the folding magazine.

I was rather surprised by this, as I had always assumed that the grip safety on the MAT 49 did what every other grip safety does, ie make the weapon safe, but I do appreciate that the French have their own views on most things.

“(…)version with twin triggers(…)” Photo of this variant can be seen at http://firearms.96.lt/pages/Get_Em_Puppy's%20World%20SMGs.html as MAC Mle 1948

“(…)MAC48LS, a lighter and even simpler version(…)” Above site name that MAC Mle 1948 L.S. which suggest two last letters are acronym, what is their meaning? Also it claims that it was taken into limited service which raise question how long it was in use and how many examples were made?

“(…)France did not have its own standard 9mm SMG magazine at this point, and MP40 magazines were plentiful(…)” https://www.mp40.nl/index.php?page=mp-40 claims that The aluminum foregrips are post war and were made by the French. France used the MP40 for their troops in the fifties and early sixties (for example in the Indo China/Vietnam war). At that point in time it was more ecomomical to manufacture these foregrips with aluminum. So now I wonder if French actually seized know-how of MP40 magazine procurement and were able to make them or they did just used existing stock?

RE the “LE” suffix, Thomas Nelson claims it stood for “Lightened & Simplified” (which in French would be Leger, Simplifié), though I’m not sure how accurate this is.

Reportedly a few of these were distributed for field trials in French Indochina, along with the MAS Mle 48 and the MAT Mle 49 (the latter of which was obviously adopted).

[OFF-TOPIC SO IGNORE IF YOU WISH] Recently I learned that U.S. forces are adopting not-light-tank M10. If I understand correctly it is named after Booker, who was recipient of Medal of Honor, though I am confused if he was killed in action in 1943 xor 2003? Also, I understand is not light tank due to not being made for reconnaissance I wonder why it count as Combat Vehicle (which I assume is pun intended at Stridsfordon 90) rather than Gun Motor Carriage?

If I understood correctly, its actually named in honor of two persons, both named Booker.

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