This video explores the Winchester 1886 Line Thrower, a unique adaptation of the classic lever-action rifle. Originally a .45-70 rifle, these were modified by William Read & Sons with smooth bored barrels cut to 14.5 inches and chambered for blank cartridges to launch ropes for maritime safety. These specialized firearms were utilized by the US Coast Guard and Navy and saw service well into the post-World War Two era. The description highlights their importance in maritime rescue and points to further resources for those interested in line-throwing devices.
This video explores the Kongsberg M52, a unique line-throwing rifle developed by the Norwegian factory. Introduced in the 1950s and used into the 1970s, it repurposes a Mauser action with a smoothbore barrel. It fires a 12mm blank cartridge to launch rescue lines or, in a variant, to harpoon whales. The example featured is a line-throwing version, complete with its original case and accessories. It highlights Kongsberg's history of producing specialized maritime firearms.
This video analyzes two German Gewehr 98 rifles that were converted by the Mauser factory for use as naval line-throwing rifles. The modifications include entirely new stocks with an increased length of pull to manage recoil, and barrels replaced with launch tubes. The magazines were also altered to accept only a single blank round, keeping the chamber empty. The exact nature of the projectiles is unclear, but these are original military conversions from the Geoffrey Sturgess collection.
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