WW2, Original British Schermuly Line Throwing Pistol, Deactivated

This is a Schermuly line throwing pistol from World War 2. The pistol is based on the Webley & Scott brass flare pistol, with a steel barrel extension to take a rocket that would propel a wire over long distance. The wire could be attached to a cable to help transfer people from ship to ship or shore to ship. The pistol is stamped “Schermuly’s” and “PAT No 503324” to the brass receiver and on the opposite side serial no“18463”.  It is deactivated but still cocks and fires

History Note:
The Schermuly line-throwing system was developed by William Schermuly, a former merchant seaman who sought to improve maritime rescue equipment. Traditional shore-based rescue guns such as the Lyle gun required trained shore crews and precise aiming. Schermuly’s concept instead allowed ships themselves to fire a rescue line using rocket propulsion.

After years of development and initial scepticism from naval authorities, the system gained acceptance in the early 20th century and became widely adopted by shipping companies and navies. By the inter-war period and throughout World War II, Schermuly rocket apparatus were standard safety equipment aboard many naval and merchant vessels. The system proved extremely reliable and effective, allowing lines to be projected hundreds of metres even in poor weather conditions.

The technology also influenced a variety of military and rescue applications, including grapnel rockets, emergency aerial line launchers and signalling systems. The Schermuly name remains closely associated with maritime rescue equipment to this day.

*Condition*
This pistol is in great condition for its age and only has minor marks and slight wear. Please see pictures for more detail as they form part of our condition report.

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