Mystery One Magazine SMG? Arnhem usage?

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Swiper, Dec 12, 2010.

  1. dave 1SLANR

    dave 1SLANR Willys Jeep

    Ok guys, I was perplexed by this on another forum..

    " but a specific weapon designed to fire 1 magazine and then to be disgarded , it was an initial assult weapon issued before the drop." "basicly made out pressed "Tin" as he described it"

    Chap says it was US manufactured and to be discarded after firing its magasine after use as an initial assualt weapon. Not larger then 14 inches (he has removed some information) and was told this by an Arnhem vet. And is adamant its not a modified Sten/MkIV sten or anything similar.

    Is this a case of confused memories, total inaccuracy, or just fabrication? Did something like that ever exist? On a simple logical level making a whole weapon with a seperate magazine as a one shot assault weapon seems somewhat crazy!

    Sorry , but at no time was manufactured in the US mentioned, since I forwarded this information on another site from 1 Arnhem Vet, another Arnhem Vet who resides in Derby also remembers the elusive "Wooly's Gun"!
    Dave
     
  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The money's got to be on the Welgun, surely? Sten MkIVs might be the right size, but difficult to imagine anyone jumping - or landing - with a magazine loaded and ready to go. A Welgun would at least lie flat under the harness, and enough appear to have been made for it to be trialled and earn some decent feedback. If a few Patchetts could make their way to Arnhem, why not a few Welguns?

    It can't have been this one:

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42176&stc=1&d=1292717237
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Swiper

    Swiper Resident Sospan

    Interesting Dave, must have misread your post (swear it was there tho).

    What unit was the other vet in?
     
  4. phylo_roadking

    phylo_roadking Very Senior Member

    A Welgun would at least lie flat under the harness


    So would a Patchett with the collapsible stock...well, collapsed....as any Imperial Stormtrooper would know! Quite dinky little things...

    [​IMG]

    ....the Patchett/Sterling, not the Stormtrooper!
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    So would a Patchett with the collapsible stock...well, collapsed....

    Mmm, ignoring the pistol grip, I suppose. But a Welgun's not as clumsy or random as a Patchett; it's an elegant weapon from a more civilized time.
     
    leontrotsky67 likes this.
  6. dave 1SLANR

    dave 1SLANR Willys Jeep

    Interesting Dave, must have misread your post (swear it was there tho).

    What unit was the other vet in?

    He was also with the 156th Independent , Brigade HQ, I have again asked the question , the vet in question is adamant that he carried the "weapon" into combat .His description is the same every time . If his description varied then I would have my own doubts on his accuracy , even though he is now 90 yrs old he still is very switched on ,and I have no reason to doubt him .

    I have been called an idiot on the WW2 Re-enacting forum because I can't produce photographic evidence :rolleyes:, obviously I don't visit that particular forum now . I would love to find something ,as I would like to get to the bottom of this mystery weapon myself .
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Has anyone thought to ask TonyE directly?
    He's... 'not bad' on obscure Smallarms.

    I assume he' might notice this thread anyway, now it's resurfaced.
     
  8. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    The Liberator fired single shots, the case then needed to be manually ejected and a new cartridge manually inserted into the breech - does not sound like a magazine weapon.

    That's true but I believe that several additional rounds were housed or stored in the handle. As you said, the case had to be manually ejected. A wooden dowel about the size of a pencil was supplied to do this with.

    I don't think the Liberator was was the original post was about (as many have already pointed out) since is sure wasn't weapon intended for invasion or assault. The plan was for the user to kill an enemy soldier with it and take his weapon.

    Found this picture of the instructions on the net. I've seen another sheet of the instructions dropped with the pistol that shows a person firing it at a man in a German helmet and then taking his rifle, but I can't find it now.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Lofty1

    Lofty1 Senior Member

     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

  11. idler

    idler GeneralList

    'Bout time we had a picture of the Welgun, eh?

    [​IMG]

    From here.

    It's definitely stamped metal. It could be discarded, though I don't think I'd want to bin it as it makes me all uzi...
     
    von Poop likes this.
  12. brit plumber

    brit plumber Member

    It dosn't look as throw away as a STEN gun, it actually looks like its of good quality.

    And for the Patchett fans, number 1.

    [​IMG]
     
    von Poop likes this.
  13. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

  14. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Yes dear whatever you say!


    OK - I really enjoyed watching that.......
     
  15. idler

    idler GeneralList

  16. idler

    idler GeneralList

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