S&W Model 270 Int'l Line Thrower

[David.Hylton]

Larry's Gun Shop in Huntsville has quite collection of fine and collectible guns. He also has some amazing deals on Rugers and ammo.

I noticed this S&W Model 270 Int'l Line Thrower in his personal collection display case the other day. It's complete with the projectile which I believe is very rare.

 

[Bob L]

Wow, that is wild! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[mm93]

Very cool! Don't see those very often! Especially so complete.

 

[AKtinman]

The owner of the Model 270 might want to do more research into the Coast Guard connection.

The Coast Guard's standard shoulder line throwing gun was a highly modified 1903 Springfield with a smooth-bored barrel that fired a 13 or 15 ounce projectile using a Grenade cartridge (NOT a Blank cartridge!) as the propelling charge. This was a highly effective line launching platform.

It remained in use at least until 1989. I was not privy to all the exotic new stuff that was being tried out in the CG, but Gunner's Mates were a small community and I think I would have heard at least scuttlebutt about the S&W 270. I suspect the Model 270 was geared more to municipal fire and police or other agencies.

Interesting post on a seldom-seen S&W.

 

[jimmyj]

Line Throwing Rifle

In my era of U.S.C.G. not only the modified Model 1903, but also a modified single shot B/T shotguns, plus small cannons for use for firing a line from the beach to a vessel.
( some smaller stations still had Lewis Guns, Reising SMGs, and Thompson M1928 SMGs)

The owner of the Model 270 might want to do more research into the Coast Guard connection.

The Coast Guard's standard shoulder line throwing gun was a highly modified 1903 Springfield with a smooth-bored barrel that fired a 13 or 15 ounce projectile using a Grenade cartridge (NOT a Blank cartridge!) as the propelling charge. This was a highly effective line launching platform.

It remained in use at least until 1989. I was not privy to all the exotic new stuff that was being tried out in the CG, but Gunner's Mates were a small community and I think I would have heard at least scuttlebutt about the S&W 270. I suspect the Model 270 was geared more to municipal fire and police or other agencies.

Interesting post on a seldom-seen S&W.

 

[Frank46]

When I was in the navy the GM's used H&R single shot shotguns chambered for a 45/70 sized line throwing cartridge. They will throw the carrier from ship to ship with a messinger line and tie one end off to a heavier line and haul that line aboard ship. Also saw modified M14's that had been adopted for line throwing usage. Frank

 

[les.b]

Well, they are listed in the SCSW 4th ed., but no mention of the Coast Gaurd. See p. 469 in that reference. Called the 270 Pyrotex line-throwing gun.

Interesting, and thanks for sharing!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[AKtinman]

Here's a link that gives a good overview of the CG shoulder line throwing gun:
POTD: The Coast Guard's 80 Year Old Line Throwers -The Firearm Blog

 

[chiefbob81]

This is a tear gas gun

Just picked this up recently, very simular.

 

[Bakebfr480]

My dad has a trapdoor Springfield that does the same thing!