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Mercox darts
- Thread starter sgdbdr
- Start date
The patent can be found here in pdf
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e2/3e/83/d386ab5ad1fe0c/US3419274.pdf
and here some details:
a a photograph of the modified .22 Smith & Wesson Model 17-2 revolver used to shot these darts:
"MERCOX DART PROJECTILE GUN – Based on a K-22 frame, this handgun-type device could be used to deliver hypodermic dart syringes or such diverse materials as teargas, dye, or explosive or crowd control projectiles. Built in 1967 based on the three-screw Model 17 K-22 square butt frame with standard walnut grips and silver medallions. This model has a standard hammer and trigger. The similarity with the K-22 ends at the barrel; a 12 ½” dart barrel with an adapter is attached to the frame and uses a special .22 caliber cartridge as a propellant. "
A report on the prototype of this gun gave these additional details on the gun (called at this stage of development the Mercox S&W single-shot dart gun") and its darts:
"A smoothbore barrel of approximately .50 caliber is mounted on a .22 revolver. Propellant power is supplied by a .22 blank stud driven cartridge, A metering valve in the side of the arm regulates the force of the gas propellant and the range. Projectiles in the family are all approximately teh same weight and balance so that different sight settings are not necessary. This unit has not yet seen production as of 1961"
Additional info:
"The drum was charged blank, the powder gases were discharged upward and pushed the dart out of the barrel. Their volume was regulated by a 3-position selector.
Produced: coloring darts, with tear gas, sleeping (for animals), noise and even explosive with a small shaped charge.
The total production of Mercox S&W guns was about 25 units. This is one of the rarest post-war S&Ws. Unfortunately, nothing reliable is known about the performance characteristics of Mercox."
"Manufactured in 1966, the gun is based on a .22 caliber revolver with a .510 caliber smoothbore mounted higher than where the original barrel was . The new barrel was connected to the rest of the old barrel by a Z-shaped channel, and the latter plugged. The cylinder was loaded with blank cartridges, and the gases from firing this cartridge threw the bullet out of the proper barrel. In addition, between both barrels there is a regulator that allows you to choose 3 different muzzle velocities. A variety of bullets were available, including: paint, tear gas, flying syringes, HEAT. Only 25 were produced"
Although in 1967 the gun was defined as "Smith and Wesson - Mercox Dart Projectile Gun , designed for special situation police and military use where use of conventional weapons not indicated . Ammunition includes : training darts , tear gas darts , dye marker darts ...", its 1968 brochure advertised an explosive dart
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e2/3e/83/d386ab5ad1fe0c/US3419274.pdf
and here some details:
a a photograph of the modified .22 Smith & Wesson Model 17-2 revolver used to shot these darts:
"MERCOX DART PROJECTILE GUN – Based on a K-22 frame, this handgun-type device could be used to deliver hypodermic dart syringes or such diverse materials as teargas, dye, or explosive or crowd control projectiles. Built in 1967 based on the three-screw Model 17 K-22 square butt frame with standard walnut grips and silver medallions. This model has a standard hammer and trigger. The similarity with the K-22 ends at the barrel; a 12 ½” dart barrel with an adapter is attached to the frame and uses a special .22 caliber cartridge as a propellant. "
A report on the prototype of this gun gave these additional details on the gun (called at this stage of development the Mercox S&W single-shot dart gun") and its darts:
"A smoothbore barrel of approximately .50 caliber is mounted on a .22 revolver. Propellant power is supplied by a .22 blank stud driven cartridge, A metering valve in the side of the arm regulates the force of the gas propellant and the range. Projectiles in the family are all approximately teh same weight and balance so that different sight settings are not necessary. This unit has not yet seen production as of 1961"
Additional info:
"The drum was charged blank, the powder gases were discharged upward and pushed the dart out of the barrel. Their volume was regulated by a 3-position selector.
Produced: coloring darts, with tear gas, sleeping (for animals), noise and even explosive with a small shaped charge.
The total production of Mercox S&W guns was about 25 units. This is one of the rarest post-war S&Ws. Unfortunately, nothing reliable is known about the performance characteristics of Mercox."
"Manufactured in 1966, the gun is based on a .22 caliber revolver with a .510 caliber smoothbore mounted higher than where the original barrel was . The new barrel was connected to the rest of the old barrel by a Z-shaped channel, and the latter plugged. The cylinder was loaded with blank cartridges, and the gases from firing this cartridge threw the bullet out of the proper barrel. In addition, between both barrels there is a regulator that allows you to choose 3 different muzzle velocities. A variety of bullets were available, including: paint, tear gas, flying syringes, HEAT. Only 25 were produced"
Although in 1967 the gun was defined as "Smith and Wesson - Mercox Dart Projectile Gun , designed for special situation police and military use where use of conventional weapons not indicated . Ammunition includes : training darts , tear gas darts , dye marker darts ...", its 1968 brochure advertised an explosive dart
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