Sedgley OSS .38

Sedgley OSS .38

Illustration of the Haight Fist Gun in its US Patent document
Type Assassination pistol, last resort weapon
Place of origin United States
Service history
Used by OSS
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Office of U.S. Naval Intelligence
Manufacturer Sedgley Company
Number built 52 - 200
Specifications
Cartridge .38 Special
Action Single Shot, Break Barrel

The Sedgley OSS .38 glove pistol or Sedgley Fist Gun is a World War II firearm. It was designed by Stanley M. Haight and manufactured by Sedgley Co. of Philadelphia for the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Navy.[1] Its official designation by the US Navy was Hand Firing Mechanism, Mk 2.[2]

Description

The Sedgley OSS is a single shot, break action, smoothbore .38 Special pistol which was designed by Stanley M. Haight for the Naval Intelligence Office. It was meant as a covert operations and assassination weapon in the Pacific Theater. It was mounted on the back of a cowhide glove; the gun would be usually worn along with a long-sleeved coat to hide the weapon until it was used. Due to its appearance, it was commonly nicknamed "Glove Pistol" or "Glove Gun".[3]

The trigger is a bar parallel to and extending past the barrel. After being loaded and cocked, the weapon is fired by the shooter making a fist and pressing the trigger against the target's body.[4] Between 52 and 200 are believed to have been manufactured. Each Sedgley was issued only as one glove and as not a pair.[5]

See also

References

  1. United States. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (1979). Alcohol, tobacco and firearms quarterly bulletin. Dept. of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. p. 24, 34.
  2. Eger, Chris. "The Sedgley OSS Glove Gun". Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  3. Holmes, Richard (30 January 2009). World War II: The Definitive Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7566-5605-8.
  4. Melton, H Keith (21 September 2009). Ultimate Spy. DK Publishing. pp. 191–192. ISBN 978-0-7566-6818-1.
  5. McCollum, Ian (June 15, 2014). "Sedgley Glove Gun". YouTube. Forgotten Weapons. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
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