I am looking for history information and possible value of a S&W product. I have a 38 Special caliber grenade launcher "kit" with 6 white smoke and 6 riot grenades.This is a complete kite with the label on the case that says Mighty Midget. I would be very thankful if anyone has any information about this.
Mighty Midget 38 Special
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opoefc
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Welcome to the Forum. Yes, these kits are a S&W product of some years ago. It's shown in their Police, Fire & Marine catalogs, circa late 70s, early 80s, as best I remember w/o looking. They were not very practical and they were dropped from the catalogs after a couple of years. They were supposed to fit on the barrel end of a .38 Military & Police model revolver, and as I recall, a blank cartridge provided the power to launch the grenade. Ed.
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blue70chevelle
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I hope the following information helps. These are scans from S&W's 1979 Riot Control Catalog. The items you are referring to are items No. 98, 99, & 101. You can click on the pics for full size.
Out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this kit?
Out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this kit?
The Mighty Midget was an interesting grenade.
They were small enough for an officer to carry a couple in a pocket during a civil disturbance without them being awkwardly bulky. They were also great for an officer to used quickly if he needed to force a barricaded subject out of a house (in the days before every department had a SWAT team patrol officers had to do that stuff on the spot with what they had.) I carried a couple in the trunk of my patrol car for years until they were way out of date.
To activate it you pulled the pin/ring and slammed the plunger onto a hard surface, such as your helmet or the pavement.
I saw a few of them used over the years, but never fired from a revolver.
They put out a respectable bit of gas, but nowhere near as much as the larger grenades. They would clear out a couple of rooms in a house, though.
They were small enough for an officer to carry a couple in a pocket during a civil disturbance without them being awkwardly bulky. They were also great for an officer to used quickly if he needed to force a barricaded subject out of a house (in the days before every department had a SWAT team patrol officers had to do that stuff on the spot with what they had.) I carried a couple in the trunk of my patrol car for years until they were way out of date.
To activate it you pulled the pin/ring and slammed the plunger onto a hard surface, such as your helmet or the pavement.
I saw a few of them used over the years, but never fired from a revolver.
They put out a respectable bit of gas, but nowhere near as much as the larger grenades. They would clear out a couple of rooms in a house, though.
tac803
Member
My Dad related a story from the local civil unrest in the 60's. Apparently there was a house that was harboring one of the folks who was inciting some of the unrest. 5 patrol cars showed up to effect an arrest, and the crowd on the porch was in no mood to cooperate. Dad told me that one of the officers opened the trunk of his car, liberated a S&W 37mm launcher, and proceeded to load it in front of the large crowd...that suddenly left. Apparently about 2 minutes later, the dispatcher relayed that he had received a call from the residence, and the wanted subject was willing to give himself up "if the policeman put away the elephant gun!" Sometimes all it takes is one cop and a Smith and Wesson.
thanks for the info
My late father-in-law was a class 3 dealer and this was one of his "oddities" that we have found. I have no idea as to the value. The "kit" has 3 white smoke and 9 "riot gas" grenades. never used and there is no rust nor aging on any of the grenades or the launcher.I hope the following information helps. These are scans from S&W's 1979 Riot Control Catalog. The items you are referring to are items No. 98, 99, & 101. You can click on the pics for full size.
Out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for this kit?
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I want one of those ammo cans!!
ammo can?
there is no "ammo can". this is a plastic box with snaps for tight closure and a carry handle. this box contains all the items that I have mentioned plus 12 .38 caliber blanks. there is no sign of any rust or age on any of the items. I can provide pictures.
there is no "ammo can". this is a plastic box with snaps for tight closure and a carry handle. this box contains all the items that I have mentioned plus 12 .38 caliber blanks. there is no sign of any rust or age on any of the items. I can provide pictures.
Hello! I currently work for one of the largest hazardous waste disposal companies in the country. A few of our customers are in possession of these old S&W riot control agents. I've had no luck with obtaining any information related to these old tear gas devices. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the pics of the Crowd Control Equipment catalog! Is there any possibly that you would share a complete copy with me? It would help me immensly in identifying these agents. Thank you so much in advance for your help!
blue70chevelle
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When I get a minute in the next day or two and if my scanner is cooperating I would gladly copy the entire catalog to you. I received your email, and I don't believe the catalog has proper handling procedures or chemical compositions listed in it, but I'll double check. Also, I would recommend listing the items for sale as opposed to destruction. There is a large collectors market for old Smith & Wesson stuff like this.
That is wonderful! I really appreciate your help. Our customers are law enforcement agencies that are looking to dispose of old stock. It is our company's business to ensure hazardous materials and wastes are disposed of in a manner compliant with USDOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Adminstration regulations, so reselling is not an option. I will need to apply to the agency for special permission to handle and transport these agents so this background information will be a huge help to include in my application. Also, a large portion of the inventory consists of riot control agents manufactured by Federal Laboratories. Do you know anything about this company and are they in any way affiliated with Smith and Wesson? Thank you again for all your help.
blue70chevelle
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FedLabs has no known affiliation with S&W. They were sold to Mace Security International in 1994. You should consult with them if you need any MSDS or product information. An interesting note, FedLabs was the only distributor of Thompson Sub-Machine guns for a period of time in the 1930's..
blue70chevelle
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Here we go, full catalog uninterrupted front cover to cover
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That catalog is awesome !
The pepper fog machine, "powered by a pulse jet engine" is one of the most unique S&W items I've ever seen.
The pepper fog machine, "powered by a pulse jet engine" is one of the most unique S&W items I've ever seen.
vmumford
Member
This is one of the most interesting threads I have read in a long time. Thanks you blue70chevelle for the brochure.
Gotta agree with vmumford! I didn't realize things like that were even produced. I knew all about the Military stuff & more modern police equipment but never ran across LEO equipment like that. I'll take 2 of each, lol.
blue70chevelle
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The pepper fog machine had me surprised too. Could you imagine walking around with a gas powered "jet" engine producing Pepper gas?.. lol and only at 18lbs!
