Schermuly Line Throwing Gun
Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1920
Also known as: Schermuly Line Throwing Cannon, Schermuly Rocket Line Gun, SPRA line gun
Overview
The Schermuly Line Throwing Gun is the larger shoulder-braced gun (or 'cannon') form of the British Schermuly rocket line-throwing apparatus, distinct from the compact pistol-form SPRA. Of brass and steel construction with walnut grips and an opening breech, it fires a short blank cartridge from the chamber while a steel rocket is seated in the wide muzzle tube. When the trigger drops the hammer, the cartridge gases eject the rocket along its line of flight and burst through a waterproof disc to ignite the rocket's own propellant, carrying a light messenger line ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship for breeches-buoy rescue. Developed by Alfred James Schermuly in the 1920s, the Schermuly line-throwing guns became compulsory shipboard lifesaving equipment and saved countless lives at sea.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2325 g (82.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Barrel Length | 343 mm (13.50") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Effective Range | 230 m (252 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
Calibers
- Schermuly line rocket (1 inch blank) · primary — also known as rocket line, signal rocket, 1 inch line-throwing
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Break Action
- Features: Break Action, Single Shot, Rocket Line Thrower, Blank Cartridge Ignition, Lifesaving Apparatus, Brass And Steel Construction
Service history
Operators
- Royal Navy
- British Merchant Navy
- Canadian Army
Production
Production years: c.1920-1952
Produced from the 1920s; original black-powder propellant discontinued in 1952. No consolidated production totals are available.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Alfred James Schermuly
Notes
This launches a rocket-propelled line, not a ballistic projectile, so muzzle velocity is not meaningful. Bore is roughly 1 inch at the breech chamber, opening into a wide (about 1.75 inch) steel rocket tube; barrel about 13.5 inches with an overall length near 20 inches and a weight of about 5 lb 2 oz. Effective throwing distance for this class of line gun is on the order of a few hundred metres. British patent number 503324 is associated with the apparatus. The original black-powder propellant was discontinued in 1952. Distinct from the pistol-form entry (schermuly-pistol).
Background
After the hospital ship SS Rohilla was wrecked off Whitby in 1914 with heavy loss of life, the British Admiralty placed its first order for Schermuly rockets. During the Great War the Canadian Army even used the line throwers to fire telephone wire from trench to trench.