$200 CASH
I had my parents buy this for me when I was a little kid, living in Hong Kong, and we went to a shipyard that was breaking-down a freighter, because as a 10 year old kind, I liked how menacing it looked. It is *not* considered a firearm under the NFA... Other than pulling it out of the closet once in a while to show-off to firearm afficionados, it's just been sitting in storage, so I'm now looking-forward to selling it as part of my desire to down-size. I'd love it if it was bought by someone who was motivated to try using it again for it's original purpose -- it seems intact & functional -- but if nothing-else, it's an interesting nautical antique & firearm-related curio.
I've been told that at auction, it could sell for somewhere between $400 - $500, but that'd require me shipping it off to thee East Coast or California. I'd rather just sell it locally, for $200 CASH.
Detailed info:
The Schermuly Rescue Rope Thrower, also known as the Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus (SPRA), was a line-throwing device used for maritime rescue and other purposes. It involved a pistol-like device that fired a rocket-propelled line, enabling the transfer of a line between ships or from shore to ship. This technology was crucial for rescuing stranded sailors and facilitating other critical tasks.
I believe mine dates back to the 1930s or 1940s. It has the Bakelite grip, not a woood grip.
I had my parents buy this for me when I was a little kid, living in Hong Kong, and we went to a shipyard that was breaking-down a freighter, because as a 10 year old kind, I liked how menacing it looked. It is *not* considered a firearm under the NFA... Other than pulling it out of the closet once in a while to show-off to firearm afficionados, it's just been sitting in storage, so I'm now looking-forward to selling it as part of my desire to down-size. I'd love it if it was bought by someone who was motivated to try using it again for it's original purpose -- it seems intact & functional -- but if nothing-else, it's an interesting nautical antique & firearm-related curio.
I've been told that at auction, it could sell for somewhere between $400 - $500, but that'd require me shipping it off to thee East Coast or California. I'd rather just sell it locally, for $200 CASH.
Detailed info:
The Schermuly Rescue Rope Thrower, also known as the Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus (SPRA), was a line-throwing device used for maritime rescue and other purposes. It involved a pistol-like device that fired a rocket-propelled line, enabling the transfer of a line between ships or from shore to ship. This technology was crucial for rescuing stranded sailors and facilitating other critical tasks.
I believe mine dates back to the 1930s or 1940s. It has the Bakelite grip, not a woood grip.
- Function:
The SPRA was designed to launch a line (or rope) to a specific target, such as another ship or the shore.
- Mechanism:
It used a pistol-style blank cartridge to ignite a rocket, which in turn propelled the attached line. - Historical Significance:
The Schermuly system was widely adopted for maritime rescue in the early 20th century, particularly after 1929, and was instrumental in saving countless lives at sea.
Beyond Maritime:
While primarily used for maritime purposes, Schermuly's invention also found applications in other areas, such as throwing lines for fire hoses or deploying emergency radio antennas.
Components:
The apparatus typically included a pistol-like firing mechanism, a long barrel for the rocket, and a handle for stability during firing