WWII Era British Shermuly Line-Throwing Pistol

Description

William Schermuly,1857-1929, was one of the fathers of modern rocketry. He had served aboard vessels at sea and knew that many lives were lost each year due to shipwrecks. He invented several different line throwing devices, some of which were used in WWI for various purposes, such as throwing telephone lines from trench to trench. Although William started the business, it was his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, who invented and began production of this particular line-throwing gun. Produced during the 1920’s, it was highly successful for the throwing of line from shore to ship, or ship to ship for life-saving purposes, and saved countless lives at sea. It used a blank cartridge, which would project and ignite the rocket The pistol is based on the Webley & Scott brass flare pistol, with a steel barrel extension to take a rocket that would propel a wire over long distance. The wire would then be attached to a line to help transfer people from ship to ship or shore to ship. It was made in several versions, some with swivel mounts to use aboard ship, or others, such as this example, which was entirely hand-held and portable. Brass frame stamped “SHERMULY’S/PAT No503324”, with a “P” and “S8” on the left side, and serial number 12932 on the right side and chamber. Chamber and barrel are hinged and released by thumb lever on left side. Round 14” steel barrel of 2” inside diameter, painted gray and featuring original diamond-shaped label on the top (mostly obscure), attached to the 4 3/4” long by 1” diameter brass chamber. Attached to the top of the barrel is a ribbed Bakelite handle for stabilizing the gun while firing. Two-piece mahogany grips; brass trigger guard. Very good original condition, with some wear to the gray paint. Mechanism functions properly. Line-throwing devices were made mandatory in Britain in 1938 for all vessels over 80 tons and 50 feet in length, and this type was widely used on both merchant and naval vessels during WWII. Overall length 23”. Originally, these pistols would have come in a kit and included line, cartridges, and rockets in a wood case. Offered here is the pistol only.