Pancor Jackhammer

Pancor Jackhammer Mark 3-A2

1987 Patent of the Jackhammer fully automatic shotgun
Type Bullpup automatic shotgun
Place of origin  United States
Service history
In service Cancelled
Production history
Designer John Anderson
Designed 1984
Manufacturer Pancor Corporation
Specifications
Weight 4.57 kg
Length 787 mm
Barrel length 525 mm
Cartridge 12 (2¾") gauge
Action Gas-operated, automatic shotgun
Rate of fire 240 rpm
Feed system 10-shot detachable cylinder magazine
Sights Iron sights

The Pancor Corporation Jackhammer was a 12-gauge, gas-operated automatic shotgun designed in 1984 and patented in 1987. Only a few working prototypes of the Jackhammer were built. In the late 1990s, the current owner of the design, Mark III, attempted to sell the patents, prototypes, and production rights for $350,000. Nonetheless, its distinctive appearance and futuristic design have made it a prop in action films, television programs, and video games.

Development

The Jackhammer was designed by John A. Anderson who formed the company Pancor Industries in New Mexico. Reportedly, several foreign governments expressed interest in the design and even ordered initial production units once ready for delivery. However, the design was held up for production due to US Department of Defense testing though the design was eventually rejected. With no customers and little interest, Pancor went bankrupt. Supposed overseas orders were subject to State Department approval that was not forthcoming. The assets of Pancor were sold off, including the few prototypes built.[1]

Design

Components of the Jackhammer Machine Shotgun

Though unconventional, the Jackhammer can best be described as a gas-operated revolver. Many parts were constructed of rynite polymer to reduce weight. Layout was of a bullpup configuration with a 10-round revolving cylinder that fired conventional, 12-gauge shells. The cylinder's method of rotation was very similar to the Webley-Fosbery Semi-automatic revolver, an operating rod being used to rotate the cylinder.[2]

At the moment of firing, the front of the shell sealed inside the breech of the barrel much like the Nagant M1895 revolver. Unlike the Nagant whose cylinder moved forward to form the seal, the barrel of the Jackhammer was driven forward and away from the cylinder by a ring-piston using gas tapped from the bore. As the barrel moved forward, the breech cleared the front of the fired cartridge and an operating rod attached to the barrel rotated the cylinder through a "zig-zag" cam arrangement. As the next shell aligned with the bore, the barrel returned under spring pressure. Spent shells were retained in the cylinder, as in a traditional revolver. For reloading, the cylinder was removed from the bottom of its housing and shells were manually extracted. Removing the cylinder required the barrel be moved and secured in the forward position.[2]

Legality

In 1994, the Pancor Jackhammer was classified as a destructive device in the United States under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934.[3]

Related developments

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jonathan Glazer. "The PANCOR Jackhammer". Movie Gun Services.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bishop, Chris (2006). The Encyclopedia of Weapons: From World War II to the Present Day. San Diego, California: Thunder Bay Press. p. 355.
  3. ↑ http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/guides/national-firearms-act-definition-destructive-device

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pancor Jackhammer.