From a folding revolver to a folding submachine gun

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The revolver of Jean Mathieu de Vandre at first glance was no different from all the others ... Photo www.littlegun.be


Tuko (feeling several revolvers from the counter, contemptuously) - Revolvers ...
Gun shop owner (guilty) - Revolvers...
Tuco (terribly) - Revolvers!
Weapon shop owner (fussily) - The best I have here ...

"Good bad evil"

stories about weapons. At first, there was no particular need for dismantled weapons. Indeed: why disassemble your pistol to a cuirassier, if he can easily carry it either behind his belt, or in a holster at the saddle, or even tucked into the top of his boot. Officers of the regular infantry (and cavalry) subsequently did not need collapsible weapons either. In a word, it was not necessary for all those who used it quite legally and constantly. But for civilians, revolvers disassembled into parts turned out to be needed. They could be transported with great convenience in luggage, and then assembled and used for their intended purpose. Folding revolvers also appeared, taking up little space in the pockets of a frock coat or jacket, but no less lethal for this.



One of the first easily disassembled revolvers was the Despres revolver by Jean Mathieu de Vandre.


The revolver is percussion cap, but since the trigger of the knitting needle is missing, this suggests that he could only shoot by self-cocking. And, as it is very clearly seen in the photo, it could easily be disassembled into three parts. Of course, this helped its fast loading, and besides, such a disassembled revolver was very compact. Photo www.littlegun.be

The frame is open, but the barrel-to-body mount is special and probably stronger than conventional mounts. That is, instead of a simple screw mount, this revolver has a twist lock controlled by a lever.


The drum and barrel are put on the axis of rotation of the drum, after which this lever is pressed against the barrel, where a small spring-loaded pin enters the recess under the barrel and thus blocks it. Photo www.littlegun.be

At one time, the so-called Apache revolver became very popular in France - the revolver of Parisian hooligans, who were called Apaches, after the Apache Indian tribe.


Revolver "Apache" folded. Photo www.littlegun.be

These folding revolvers were produced by the Belgian firm Dolne in the 1870s and 1880s. The design combined a six-shot 7-mm revolver, brass knuckles and a small dagger. The main feature of the Apache was the absence of a barrel, the role of which was played by elongated drum chambers. That is, it was an ordinary pepperbox revolver, but with a reinforced frame, to which a double-edged blade and a brass handle in the form of brass knuckles were attached. The real combat capabilities of this weapon were, of course, low, but in a short fight it was a truly terrible weapon!


Revolver "Apash" in the unfolded form. Length: 110mm folded and 200mm unfolded. Weight: 385 g. Caliber: 7 mm. Photo www.littlegun.be

"Le Novo" or "Novo", Dudonnet Oury's patent (folding handle), was made in the Derkennet workshops in Mortier. It would have been marketed by Galan (famous for its revolver), but also produced by many other Belgian companies, as well as in Riga.


Revolver "Novo" in the unfolded form. Photo www.littlegun.be


Revolver "Novo". Incomplete disassembly. Photo www.littlegun.be


Revolver "Novo" folded. Photo www.littlegun.be

The revolver appeared on the market in 1905, and 5,5 mm caliber cartridges were used in it (Galand and Saint-Etienne catalogs), but then samples appeared under 6,35 mm caliber Browning cartridges.


Revolver "Alexander Fagnus and K". Photo www.littlegun.be

And even if you make the weapon collapsible or unfold in some unusual way, it helped to circumvent the patents of well-known companies. At one time, there was an article on VO about “clamshell revolvers”, but this revolver, produced by the Belgian company Alexander Fagnus and K, surpassed all others in its originality. At first glance, this is an ordinary large-caliber revolver for .450 cartridges, with six chambers in the drum.


The revolver begins to unfold ... Photo www.littlegun.be

But his trigger guard was divided into two parts: the back could turn a quarter, while the trigger was pulled back and put on a half-cock, and its frame opened. Now it was possible to move the front part forward, which actuated a star-shaped extractor, which was extended from the drum body. In the front position, the back of the bracket closed the front and did not allow the revolver to open!

Belgian patent for this weapon No. 28560 dated 14.03.1871/XNUMX/XNUMX in the name of Alexander Fagnus and K.


Revolver fully unfolded for loading. Photo www.littlegun.be

And now we note that on such structures, the gunsmiths worked out the skills of designing folding weapons and in the future they could already create the most whimsical designs. It turned out that it is most profitable to make folding submachine guns. And already in 1949, such a folding software from the Hotchkiss company called the Universal appeared in France. Even before that, submachine guns in some cases were equipped with a folding butt and a rotary magazine receiver. But the designers of the Hotchkiss company went even further and provided additional means to reduce the length of their weapons.


Outwardly, this submachine gun looked quite traditional ... Photo https://royalarmouries.org

So, in order to fold the Hotchkiss Universal submachine gun, you had to first rotate the magazine along with the receiver using the existing axle. After that, the store could be moved back so that it rested against the receiver. The store was not fixed in any way: other parts held it in this position.


But when folded, it was literally like nothing else, but it was very compact! When unfolded, the "Universal" had a length of 776 mm. Folded - 540 mm. And the barrel pushed into the receiver saved another 100 mm. The weight of the PP without cartridges was 3,63 kg. Rate of fire is about 650 rounds per minute. Effective range 150-200 m. Photo https://royalarmouries.org

Sliding the lever in front of the receiver, then pressing on the front protrusions of the barrel, it was possible to push it inside it. At the same time, the barrel, together with the bolt, went back, at the same time the reciprocating mainspring was compressed, and fixed with a special latch. To fold the butt, it was turned down and forward. At the same time, the butt pressed on the hollow pistol grip, which leaned forward, while the butt itself engaged with the teeth on the magazine shaft. The butt plate also had a slot for the magazine, which he put on him.

From a folding revolver to a folding submachine gun
From this photo it is easy to imagine its overall dimensions. Photo by Forgottenweapons.com

The advantages of this PP are obvious. What about the disadvantages? The French military considered the impossibility of firing when folded to be the main one. Therefore, it was not supplied anywhere, except for the army of France and Venezuela. But he did not stay long in the French army. They began to use a less advanced and not so complex MAT-49.

In the mid-1970s, a certain Francis Varini decided to create a "stealth weapon": a folding submachine gun that did not look like a weapon in appearance. Francis patented the idea and turned to ARES, which was then led by Eugene Stoner, the father of the M-16. He became interested in the development, but this submachine gun did not go into the series. Although it was light (weighed 1,8 kg) and comfortable (had a total length of 523 mm and 269 mm when folded).


Francis Varini submachine gun. Photo wmuseum.ru

Also in the mid-1970s, another developer, Utah Connor, proposed a submachine gun, folded disguised as ... a radio receiver (even with a telescopic antenna).


UC-M21 submachine gun unfolded. Photo imfdb.org

On vacation, “security guards” could listen to music, but if necessary, turn its source into a submachine gun in 2-3 seconds. "Undercover 9" (that is, "undercover") or UC-9 - this was the name of the sample, because, in addition, it fired 9-mm cartridges. An improved version was designated UC-M21 and was released in a small batch.


And folded ... The weight of the software was small: 3,4 kg, unfolded length 520 mm and 267 mm folded. Photo imfdb.org

In our country, impressed by the ARES and M-21 submachine guns, the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) in Tula also tried to develop a folding submachine gun chambered for 9x18 mm, which received the designation PP-90. An improved version was called "Goblin", but they did not go into production.


FMG-9. Photo calguns.net

Finally, in 2008, Magpool Industries also demonstrated the FMG-9 submachine gun, 254 mm long folded and 508 mm unfolded, for magazines for the Glock 17 pistol for 17 and 33 rounds of 9 mm caliber. However, he also did not reach the real production.

Half-folding semi-automatic 9mm rifles are produced by the famous Kel-Tech company: SUB2000 and SUB2K CQB.


SUB2000. Photo keltecarmory.com


Silent folding carabiner with integrated silencer SUB2K CQB. Photo keltecarmory.com

Both, however, are folded in a vertical plane. And what will happen if you make a submachine gun that would fold in a horizontal plane? Such a submachine gun could be placed under the seat of pilots of helicopters and aircraft, that is, as an element of "survival" equipment.

In the following photos you see a conceptual model of such a software.


Here it is, a PP with a barrel that leans to the right. The barrel latch is on the left, in front of the reloading handle, that is, always at hand. Author's photo


Right view. The latch constipation is clearly visible. Author's photo


View from the left in the unfolded position. Author's photo

The body and barrel casing are plastic pipes of the same diameter. Automation is the simplest: a free shutter on two springs, as in an M3 submachine gun. The cocking handle on the left. Butt retractable, wire. Double-row magazine for 35 rounds. The barrel is air-cooled according to the principle of the Lewis machine gun. To do this, the muzzle is designed in such a way that at the moment the bullet leaves the barrel, the gases behind it rush to the sides, trapping air from the casing and creating a “draught” in it.


It is convenient to use this PP while lying down, resting the magazine on the ground, although the shape of the butt should have been changed. Author's photo


And standing it is convenient to hold it in your hands, well, its appearance is quite aggressive and ... "inspiring". In some cases this is important. Author's photo

The barrel together with the casing are hinged to the right, where they are attached with a spring grip. That, in fact, is all. In all other respects, this is the most ordinary submachine gun, however, when folded, it is compact and easy to store and carry.
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11 comments
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  1. +4
    20 August 2022 05: 10
    Thank you Vyacheslav Olegovich, you made me happy in the morning!
    Although, to be honest, I think the habit of resting the store on the ground is vicious.
  2. +11
    20 August 2022 05: 28
    I will clarify a little on the domestic PP-90.

    This submachine gun in limited quantities was still supplied to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. I personally, as a cadet, used it to shoot at the Higher Police School. Later I saw in Chechnya.
    If I'm not mistaken, he was also with the FSBshnikov and the FSO officers. Some part fell to the Kazakhs.
    My personal impression. Very inconvenient and complicated. Especially in comparison with Cypress.
    1. +5
      20 August 2022 13: 59
      I’ll clarify a little on the domestic PP-90

      I also wanted to say that the caption under the photo does not match the weapon. PP-90, chambered for PM cartridge.
      I didn't hold it in my hands, but I heard about it. I didn’t shoot from the PP either, I confess.
      It was a monthly adventure to go to the bank for a paycheck. The cashier, the driver, someone from the armory, and someone from headquarters. The car was usually a UAZ-"loaf", they took me from the headquarters (my office was the very first along the corridor, they just came in - "Kolya, will you go?"). I was given an AKSU and armor, and the head of the ATV warehouse, Volodya, sported a novelty - PP-93 on his belt. He generally chose weapons, like that Lok Dok from the cult film "Don't Be a Menace to South Central", so that it looked with shoes. laughing The golden time was... called - "youth"... drinks

      PP-93 (Wikipedia):


    2. +2
      20 August 2022 19: 56
      For a short time, this wunderwaffe PP-90 was in service. The most important thing was that 31 cartridges could be pushed into the store. But after that, there was no way to connect the store, although some individuals tried and almost succeeded. wassat Then in an instant he disappeared and was replaced by KEDR.
  3. +5
    20 August 2022 10: 24
    As always very interesting! Thank you!
  4. +2
    20 August 2022 14: 16
    Good afternoon, Vyacheslav! smile

    Thanks for the interesting article, pleased, as they say. For the first time in a week I had a good sleep, and here is a gift from you.
    I saw a nightmare called "Alexander Fagnus and K" for the first time, what kind of brains you need to have in order to "think" of a design of such complexity, in terms of reliability it does not inspire any confidence.
    He held the Hotchkiss in his hands, the guys at Mosfilm had it, but they didn’t have a chance to shoot, they didn’t have cartridges for it.
    I liked the waxing design, and the automation from the M3 is a reliable thing, I tried it myself and liked the work. And in general, it turned out very nice. good
    On this occasion, I immediately remembered the design of the Tolstopyatov brothers, the men were literate and with the right hands.

    1. +2
      20 August 2022 21: 31
      The right hands went to the Wrong Heads!!!
      They collected this PP not for airsoft, but for personal enrichment through robberies.
  5. 0
    12 October 2022 21: 42
    I literally fell to my knees. The article is extremely useful and interesting. An interesting weapon, unfortunately even for theorists, but I can imagine it as a tank pilot's weapon. There is so much news that I will read the article at least twice more. It can be seen that weapons are your hobby. Thanks, friends in the discussion too. am
  6. 0
    9 November 2022 18: 20
    The proposed folding software for pilots has the design of the first software of the 20th century, which means it has low reliability. Something according to the design of the PPS-43 is needed.
  7. 0
    16 December 2022 13: 48
    I was very pleased with the PPSHP ​​at the end, with a sewer pipe and a door hinge.
    Your wonderful layouts always delight with their flight of design ideas! But have you tried to contact Mosfilm or GunRental to make props for them? The second ones definitely need well-designed models of space weapons for films, but they themselves will add a beam from the barrel.
  8. 0
    25 July 2023 20: 11
    The author in your picture is not Ares, but PP-90. He went into production and is in service.

    Here is Ares FMG. Outwardly, the PP-90 is very similar to it.


    The Magpul FMG-9, like the PP-90, went into production and is in service.

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