The new rifle of the US military: Springfield M6 Lifesaving Rifle
The Springfield M6 survival rifle was a portable weapon issued to the US Army Air Corps and Navy Air Corps during World War II. It was mainly distributed to pilots flying in remote areas, and was used to hunt small animals when necessary.
During World War II, practical experience proved that if pilots parachuted in enemy-occupied areas or uninhabited zones, after landing, they not only had to search for food by themselves but also had to defend themselves. Initially, the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps aviation forces (the US Air Force had not yet been independent at that time) were equipped with Colt M1911A1 automatic pistols and S&W Victory revolver pistols. Later, the Springfield M6 survival rifle was also developed as an alternative.
Close-up of the inscription on the Springfield M6 rescue rifle
Overall situation
The Springfield M6 rescue rifle draws on the design concept of the “bicycle gun” used in the Marbury Games. It features a steel wire stock, exposed firing pin, and two barrels. The upper barrel has a 0.22-inch caliber and fires .22LR rifle bullets; the lower barrel has a 10.40mm caliber and fires various 10.40mm shotguns. A selector is set on the firing pin to switch between the barrels. The overall length of the rifle is 800mm, the barrel length is 457mm, the total weight is 1.47kg, the effective range of the upper barrel is 360m, and the effective range of the lower barrel is 40m. It uses manual single-shot loading and has no ammunition feeding device.
Use of the selector
The selector is installed on the hammer of the Springfield M6 rescue rifle to enable the selection of the corresponding barrel for firing ammunition. When the hammer is in the safety or semi-firing position, the selector is located at the top, meaning it fires the.22LR rifle cartridge in the upper barrel; when the hammer is pushed down to the ready-to-fire position, the selector is located at the bottom, firing the 10.4mm shotgun cartridge in the lower barrel.
Equipment Details
The Springfield M6 rescue rifle is characterized by its compact size and foldable stock, making it ideal for both hunting and rescue operations. The.22LR rifle cartridge it fires has relatively low lethality, but it is still suitable for hunting small animals. This rifle is mainly equipped for use by bomber pilots.
Springfield M6 Lifesaving Rifle
Details
Originating Country: United States
Caliber: 0.22 inches / 10.40mm
Projectile Types: The upper barrel fires .22LR rifle bullets, the lower barrel fires 10.40mm shotguns
Overall Length: 800mm
Barrel Length: 457mm
Overall Weight: 1.47kg
Cartridge Capacity: 1 cartridge for each barrel
Effective Range: 365m for the upper barrel, 41m for the lower barrel
Equipment Target: Pilots
Do you want this kind of weapon to be included in our battlefield?
(Although its combat capability was limited, at least it provided the pilots with the correct historical choices.)
- Yes
- No