Filipino Slam Fire Rifle

migueldiaz · 6th November 2009, 12:46 AM

Cool find, Kino

First time I've seen that design ...

There's a similar piece, though much more rough -- it's a Filipino Phil.-Am. War rifle-cannon from the Smithsonian (pic below), which was probably made in haste during the war period itself.

The museum's description:

Dimensions: 5" (12.7 cm) height x 49" (124.5 cm) width x 1.75" (4.4 cm) depth

Physical Description: Handmade Filipino gun

General History: Filipinos fighting the United State Army resorted to making their own firearms. This handmade gun harkens back to the earliest of firearms, the hand cannon. The gun was muzzle-loaded and the charge was set off by applying fire to a touch hole in the side of the barrel.

The one I've personally seen is another Filipino hand cannon, used during the same period, and it's in this thread.

What's the caliber of your piece, approximately?

fearn · 6th November 2009, 01:34 AM

Searching on terms Paliuntod or paltik will provide more information. As it is, I'm wondering how you aim one of these beasts.

Best,

F

Vaarok · 6th November 2009, 01:39 AM

Slam fire means that the firing pin is fixed and the cartridge is held clear of it, to discharge it's jerked back so the pin strikes the primer, and ignites the powder charge and fires it, the recoil keeps things together. Works kinda like a power-head or some kinds of captive-bolt gun.

They're typically called paliuntods, and can vary from rough pipe-bombs with an uncapped end, to decent-if-crude firearms.

6th November 2009, 12:46 AM	#1
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Cool find, Kino First time I've seen that design ... There's a similar piece, though much more rough -- it's a Filipino Phil.-Am. War rifle-cannon from the Smithsonian (pic below), which was probably made in haste during the war period itself. The museum's description: Dimensions: 5" (12.7 cm) height x 49" (124.5 cm) width x 1.75" (4.4 cm) depth Physical Description: Handmade Filipino gun General History: Filipinos fighting the United State Army resorted to making their own firearms. This handmade gun harkens back to the earliest of firearms, the hand cannon. The gun was muzzle-loaded and the charge was set off by applying fire to a touch hole in the side of the barrel. The one I've personally seen is another Filipino hand cannon, used during the same period, and it's in this thread. What's the caliber of your piece, approximately? Attached Images

6th November 2009, 01:34 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Searching on terms Paliuntod or paltik will provide more information. As it is, I'm wondering how you aim one of these beasts. Best, F

6th November 2009, 01:39 AM	#3
Vaarok Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 28	Slam fire means that the firing pin is fixed and the cartridge is held clear of it, to discharge it's jerked back so the pin strikes the primer, and ignites the powder charge and fires it, the recoil keeps things together. Works kinda like a power-head or some kinds of captive-bolt gun. They're typically called paliuntods, and can vary from rough pipe-bombs with an uncapped end, to decent-if-crude firearms.