ALL ABOUT GUNS DICTIONARY-F
Federov, Vladimir Grigorevich (b. 1874 - d. 1966) -- Russian arms designer responsible for the invention in 1916 of the Federov Model 1916 Avtomat (the world’s first assault rifle) chambered for the 6.5 x 50mm Japanese Arisaka cartridge. Federov also ushered into the 20th century Soviet military hierarchy the concept of creating a family of small arms that all use the same basic platform. -- Feb. 10, 2013
Fletchette -- Projectile that resembles a small steel dart or arrow. Fletchettes have been used successfully in artillery rounds but were also used with somewhat less success as projectiles in small arms in the U.S. military’s short-lived SPIW program. Fletchettes have a tendency to bend into a hook shape upon impact with flesh, often creating a severe wound. -- June 5, 2013
Fold crimp -- A method used to seal the mouth of a shotgun hull. Fold crimps normally have either six or eight equal sized petals that are arranged in a manner similar to pie wedges. Fold crimps are sometimes referred to as pie crimps.-- August 20, 2017*
Forsyth, The Reverend Alexander John (b. 1768 - d. 1843) -- As noted in The NRA Handloader’s Guide, Enlarged and Revised, pg. 8-9 and Firearms Past and Present, vol. 1, pg. 58 by Jaroslav Lugs, the Scottish minister responsible in 1805 for the invention of the first percussion lock. Forsyth received a patent in 1807 for his percussion lock, often referred to as a “scent-bottle” lock, that used chemical compounds containing either mercury fulminate or potassium chlorate to ignite the powder charge. Forsyth’s priming compounds were largely waterproof but sensitive enough to explode when struck by a firearm hammer, which made it possible to create firearm mechanisms that could work reliably in inclement weather. A drawing of a Forsyth lock is in Firearms Past and Present, vol. 2, pg. 63 by Jaroslav Lugs and it clearly shows the twisting motion used to prime the lock. Forsyth’s priming compounds were later used in pill locks and tube locks. All three lock types were made obsolete by the invention of the percussion cap. -- August 31, 2013
Fullautomatic -- A firearm that allows a shooter to fire multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger and have the firearm’s mechanism perform all the functions necessary to feed, fire, extract and eject a cartridge until the shooter releases the trigger or until all the ammunition has been expended. Fullautomatic firearms are usually referred to as machineguns. -- Nov. 1, 2012
Funeral gun -- A double barrelled shotgun with all the metal surfaces finished in blue or black. Also known as “Black Widow” guns, both terms are most commonly used in England. -- Nov. 1, 2012
Copyright August 2017 John Swikart
