While ambling through a pawn shop today I met a gentleman who said he collects old guns. Indeed he does.

He brought out of his van a large tool box like briefcase full of really old and unique guns.

Showed me an old 12GA falling block shotgun and a 16 GA rolling block.

Then he showed me somethng which I have never heard of or see before, it was a weapon/device made by S&W and descbed as follows:

Barrel....about 16 inches, mostly about 2 inches in diameter, approximately a 1/16 thick wall.

On left side of barrel as you hold in right hand it was, "SMITH & WESSON" INTERNATIONAL LINE THROWER.

Handles a 12GA shotgun shell.

Rear three or so inches of breech is solid with opening for the 12 GA shell.

On right hand side of barrel it said, "SMITH & WESSON" JEFFERSON, OHIO

It is built on a 44 frame, had S&W wooden handles with logo buttons, had S&W logo on right side of frame.

Has a wooden handle on top of the barrel, at about a 45 degree angle and looks like a tea pot round handle held on by a steel slat frame.

He said it was used by someone to "Throw a Line". You packed a small lead weighted line in this huge barrel, put a 12 GA shell (no lead) in behind, pointed it and fired and it would throw this line across for you.

I've never seen such a thing before. Any of you know anythng about it.

It looked great.

yep that is the real deal, they have one in SCSW they were used to throw a line to port or to another ship, neat looking little boogers

I guess now we'll need a new sub-forum section.

D.G.

...that has a very nice photo.

SMITH

Are those factory original grips?

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Must be - note the speedloader cutout.

A range report anybody? Maybe a comparison between the S&W and a Lyle gun..

The gun actually launches a big, pointy, orange, wood, foam and metal projectile about 20" long which has a braided steel cable attached to it. The cable has a clip for another line, probably rope of some sort, to be attached. I have seen more of the guns for sale than the projectiles.

The line thrower is similar to the Model 209 37mm gas gun launcher S&W also used to make and sell for it's law enforcement products lines. That gun was made in both pistol and shoulder-stocked carbine models.

Yep, those are likely the factory grips.

Own one myself and it's corresponding rocket. The orange tip seems to be balsam wood, lightweight and unlikely to do any damage to anything it hits. Fires a 12 quage launching cartridge which also ignites the rocket. Bore is approx 40mm. I collect line throwing guns, flare guns, and tear gas guns. Some to these guns (different manufacturers) use a 37mm blank to accomplish ignition. Also have sereral that fire a 45-70 blank as a launching cartridge (uses brass rod with eyelet instead of rocket).