Richardson Industries "Guerrilla Gun"?

SDC · November 18, 2002, 12:46 PM

Does anyone out there know anything about an odd shotgun I just ran across? It's clearly based on a Paltik-type "slam-bang", with a sliding barrel and a fixed firing-pin, but the stock is branded with "Richardson Industries East Haven, Conn." on one side and "Guerrilla Gun" on the other. Chambered for 12 gauge with a 24" barrel, and a screw-in "safety" on the right side of the receiver. Ideally, I'd like to know a little about the company that made this thing, and when they were in operation. Thanks for any pointers.
SDC

Johnny Guest · November 18, 2002, 03:59 PM

This reminds me of an article I read in Soldier of fortune magazine sometime during the 1980s concerning "Guns of the Philippene Guerrillas," or something of the sort. One of the drawings illustrated something very similar to your image.

Best,
Johnny

fed168 · November 18, 2002, 04:43 PM

J. David Truby wrote a book about improvised weapons. That gun was in it, and to back Johnny up, it did come from the Philippines. It was the idea of a US soldier working over there, worked well for them, and he tried to bring the idea back here. Don't think it worked too well.

Dave McC · November 18, 2002, 05:38 PM

IIRC, the Flips made a lot of improvised shotguns during the Resistance days. The idea was to obtain a new shiny Jap Army rifle with one of these "Palantids", and then to pass the zipgun on to the next Freedom Fighter.Two pieces of irrigation pipe, a nail, and a shell.Stocks were optional.

One OSS type who had worked with the Flips tried to make these as a commercial venture once back in the states. Sort of the ultimate truck gun, or maybe a disposable "Bic" shotgun.

In a world where lots of former GIs were putting their discharge pay into model 12s,31s and A-5s, the idea failed to capture any market share.

HTH...

Abaddon · November 19, 2002, 03:39 AM

In this book a similar gun was used to whack a drug dealer. In this case, however, the barrel was significantly shorter and the stock was not there. The idea was that it was a "shotgun" that could be concealed very easily. Could be very effective in some circumstances

Jeff

HarryB · November 19, 2002, 09:18 AM

If I recall, the Clancy gun was actually a "bangstick" used by divers as shark defence.

Abaddon · November 19, 2002, 06:55 PM

That's right, I didn't remember what it was called.

Didn't realize it was for sharks, but it makes sense. It was fired by ramming the barrel into the target.

asnider123 · August 20, 2008, 09:49 PM

This looks like an interesting home shop project. Assuming it met the 18 inch barrel / 26 inch min overall ATF requirements, is there any reason one could not product a single piece for their own personal use?

ISC · August 20, 2008, 09:54 PM

around here alot of folks use bang sticks to kill gators. It allows you to keep a safe distance but still have a contact shot and if it falls in the lake and gets lost or rusted you just make a new one.

November 18, 2002, 03:59 PM	#2
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Rather basic, isn't it? This reminds me of an article I read in Soldier of fortune magazine sometime during the 1980s concerning "Guns of the Philippene Guerrillas," or something of the sort. One of the drawings illustrated something very similar to your image. Best, Johnny

November 19, 2002, 03:39 AM	#5
Abaddon Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 37	Ever read "No Remorse" By Tom Clancy? In this book a similar gun was used to whack a drug dealer. In this case, however, the barrel was significantly shorter and the stock was not there. The idea was that it was a "shotgun" that could be concealed very easily. Could be very effective in some circumstances Jeff __________________ Septum Contra Thebes - to be and not to seem good

November 19, 2002, 06:55 PM	#7
Abaddon Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Washington State, USA Posts: 37	Harry That's right, I didn't remember what it was called. Didn't realize it was for sharks, but it makes sense. It was fired by ramming the barrel into the target. __________________ Septum Contra Thebes - to be and not to seem good

August 20, 2008, 09:49 PM	#8
asnider123 Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western Oklahoma Posts: 15	This looks like an interesting home shop project. Assuming it met the 18 inch barrel / 26 inch min overall ATF requirements, is there any reason one could not product a single piece for their own personal use? __________________ My doctor told me I had the body of a 20 year old. He said I better give it back, I'm gettin' it all wrinkled!

November 18, 2002, 04:43 PM	#3
fed168 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2000 Posts: 1,040	J. David Truby wrote a book about improvised weapons. That gun was in it, and to back Johnny up, it did come from the Philippines. It was the idea of a US soldier working over there, worked well for them, and he tried to bring the idea back here. Don't think it worked too well.

November 18, 2002, 05:38 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	IIRC, the Flips made a lot of improvised shotguns during the Resistance days. The idea was to obtain a new shiny Jap Army rifle with one of these "Palantids", and then to pass the zipgun on to the next Freedom Fighter.Two pieces of irrigation pipe, a nail, and a shell.Stocks were optional. One OSS type who had worked with the Flips tried to make these as a commercial venture once back in the states. Sort of the ultimate truck gun, or maybe a disposable "Bic" shotgun. In a world where lots of former GIs were putting their discharge pay into model 12s,31s and A-5s, the idea failed to capture any market share. HTH...

November 19, 2002, 09:18 AM	#6
HarryB Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 330	If I recall, the Clancy gun was actually a "bangstick" used by divers as shark defence.

August 20, 2008, 09:54 PM	#9
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	around here alot of folks use bang sticks to kill gators. It allows you to keep a safe distance but still have a contact shot and if it falls in the lake and gets lost or rusted you just make a new one.