Trench gun (Pump action shotgun).
History, specifications and video from shooting with Maverick Model 88 and Fabarm Pump gun.
Trench Guns
Table of Contents
A trench gun, also known as a trench shotgun, is a type of shotgun that was specifically designed for close-quarters combat, particularly in the trenches of World War One. The most famous example is the Winchester Model 1897, which was modified for military use by the United States Army.
Overview about key features
– Shorter barrel length compared to standard shotguns, making them more maneuverable in confined spaces.
– A heat shield around the barrel to protect the user’s hand from the hot barrel during rapid fire.
– A bayonet lug, which allows the attachment of a bayonet for hand-to-hand combat.
– A slamfire capability, enabling the user to hold the trigger down and fire multiple shots in rapid succession by pumping the forend.
Trench guns were used extensively by American forces during World War I and saw continued use in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Their effectiveness in close-quarters combat made them a feared weapon on the battlefield. However, their use was controversial, as some participants considered them to cause excessive suffering, leading to protests from Germany during World War I.
History
Pump action shotgun.
Type: Trench gun.
The popular called ‘Pump guns’ (or pump-action shotguns) were widely used during both World Wars for the battles in the trenches, jungles and forests and fighting in cities. Various armies were using them still in WW2 and until today.
They are only effective at short ranges (less than 50 yards (ca. 46 m)), but at the distances below which often occurs at the fighting in trenches, jungles or buildings, extremely deadly weapons.
The pump-action gun is a smooth bore. The ammunition supply is generally of a tubular magazine below the barrel, usually around 8 projectiles with charges of up to 6 to 9-mm buckshot. There are also smaller projectiles with fewer and smaller shot, but their stopping power or efficiency while eliminating or opening of obstacles (such as doors or barricades) is obviously much lower.
The greater the charge and shot pellets, thus the greater the effect on the target. However, the probability of achieving results with smaller but more bullets in the cartridge, if of course, much larger.
A skilled shooter can fire with the gun without difficulty one or two shots per second, since the handling is quite simple and the probability of a hit at close range very high.
The shooter merely has to retract the fore end, already the shutter is opened and stretched the blow cock. An already faded, empty cartridge is ejected simultaneously. Now the shooter pulls back the fore end forward and the next cartridge is loaded and the closure closed.
In addition, one must – unlike the normal gun – not even the weapon be discontinued, allowing the weapon constantly be directed to the target and to achieve a high rate of fire.
Users: Germany and several other armies in both World Wars til today.
Animated 3d model German WW2 Trench gun
Specifications for Trench guns
Specifications:
Trench gun | Specification |
|---|---|
Type | Pump gun (pump action shotgun) |
Caliber | 12/76, 12/70 |
Length | c. 47.25 inch |
Weight | c. 6 lb 9 oz |
Barrel | c. 18.1 - 20 inch long |
Feed system | 5-8 cartridges |
System of operation | Cylinder lock |
Muzzle velocity | ? |
Rate of fire | 1-2 shots / second |
Manufactures | various |
Production delivery | ? |
Final delivery | still in production |
Production figure | ? |
Price per unit | c. RM 30-60; = ~$13-27 = ~ £3-6 |
Video Maverick Model 88 and Fabarm Pump gun
Video from clay pigeon shooting with the Maverick Model 88 in Crete and a Fabarm pump gun (1:13 min).
