Mau Mau gun.

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Guys,
I don't think this is a 'fake' gun. If you extract the bolt, insert a cartridge, reinsert the bolt, stretch elastic round the bolt and attach said elastic to the nails on either side of the gun then pull back the bolt manually and release, as long as you file down the bolt face to leave a small protrusion or insert a steel pin into the bolt face = a firing pin, it will fire a centrefire, .303 most likely, cartridge no problem. The Zip gun I believe operates on a similar principle. Totally inaccurate and probably just as dangerous to the firer as the target but deadly at very short range.
Regards,
Norman.

[BBJW]

These were made to just fire once and then hopefully enable the terrorist to pick up a real gun from the victim. These were much cruder, but the same principle was used during WW2 with the "Liberator" single shot .45acp pistols that were dropped to the French resistance fighters who then would capture German weapons.

bbjw

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Guys,
I don't think this is a 'fake' gun. If you extract the bolt, insert a cartridge, reinsert the bolt, stretch elastic round the bolt and attach said elastic to the nails on either side of the gun then pull back the bolt manually and release, as long as you file down the bolt face to leave a small protrusion or insert a steel pin into the bolt face = a firing pin, it will fire a centrefire, .303 most likely, cartridge no problem. The Zip gun I believe operates on a similar principle. Totally inaccurate and probably just as dangerous to the firer as the target but deadly at very short range.
Regards,
Norman.

LOL, funny you should mention them! My first thought was 'Zip gun'
I also think this was made to fire, although it looks like it would be possibly as dangerous to the shooter as the target.

[katana]

I suppose 'fake' was too inaccurate a description....but there are several reasons I used the term.

The barrel is made from water pipe which is likely 1/2" diameter....and is almost certainly 'seamed' .....and as such is likely to 'burst' on firing ....

The section of 'pipe' which the 'bolt' slides looks to be a section of half pipe (held by the nails ?) which looks decidedly fragile when you consider the force of the 'blow back' gasses from firing a bullet.

To aim....albeit inaccurately....would require 'sighting' down the barrel ....would you put your eyes anywhere near the bolt mechanism on this ?

I am not so certain that this has been fired....there are no scorch marks evident. I also find it hard to believe that the Mau Mau would risk serious injury or death just to fire one inaccurate round at the British I think it would be better used to give the impression that you had a rifle than to fire this.
Perhaps, if shot gun cartridges ....with some of the 'charge' removed...were used this may have been 'more' functional

Regards David