Summary
The Quackenbush rifle, invented by industrialist Henry M. Quackenbush, is a clever but cheaply made "Boys' rifle" sold in large numbers in the 1893–1920 period, along with several models of air guns.
| Quackenbush rifle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | rifle, air gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Henry M. Quackenbush |
| Designed | Quackenbush patented his "Safety Rifle" on February 23rd, 1886; #336,586. |
| Variants | 11 |
| Specifications | |
Versions edit
There were eleven models of the air rifle. The overall line was known for being ornamental and accurate.[1] The Quackenbush rifles are fairly desirable collector items and sell for several hundred dollars depending on the exact model and the condition.
The "Junior Safety" rifle came with either a fixed wire stock or one that slid forward for use as a "bicycle rifle" nearly identical with the stock later used on the USAF M4 survival rifle. The "bicycle rifle" had a leather or canvas case by which it was able to be attached in three places on a bicycle.[2] The stock were removed by pulling down on a loop spring.[3]
The "Safety" rifle was able to fire BB's, short, long, and long rifle projectiles.[2] The barrel was made from nickel or gun blued steel.[2]
Quackenbush made gun models were both air gun and firearm; they could shoot .22 caliber, shot, or .21 1/2 projectiles.[1] The last guns were produced in the late 1940s.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b American small arms: a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge for sportsmen and military men. The Bradford Company. 1904. pp. 253–. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c The Iron Age. Chilton Company. June 4, 1896.
- ^ Viall, Ethan (September 18, 1913). Machines and Tools for Quackenbush Rifles. American Machinist. pp. 483–487. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Groenewold, John. "What is a Quackenbush?". jgairguns.biz. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2012.