ALL ABOUT GUNS DICTIONARY-W
Washing -- Term used to describe the phenomenon of gas generated by burning powder leaking between the bullet and the barrel’s bore when a firearm is discharged. Washing occurs when the bullet does not fit the bore well enough to contain the gas generated upon ignition. A more detailed explanation of washing can be found in the October 2001 Precision Shooting article “What is Powder Fouling and Why Does it Matter” by M.L. McPherson.-- Sept. 23, 2013
Wheellock -- Firearm mechanism introduced in 1515 A.D. and attributed by Jaroslav Lugs in Firearms Past and Present, pg. 19 to Johann Kiefuss, a Nuremberg, Germany clockmaker, although Handguns of the World, pg. 15 -17 by Edward C. Ezell indicates the first wheellock may have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1493. Wheellock firearms relied upon a spinning wheel that struck a piece of pyrite to ignite the priming charge. The wheellock mechanism uses a spiral, clockwork type spring to operate and is wound up with a special wrench or key. Their method of operation is somewhat reminiscent of the way a modern Zippo lighter works. - Sept. 24, 2013
Whipit -- Colloquial term applied to a rifle, shotgun or grenade launcher that has its stock and barrel cut to a shorter than normal length, making it more concealable and easier to use in tight quarters. Whipits often have a short sling attached to the buttstock, allowing the user to hang the gun from their firing shoulder under a coat to employ it quickly. Notorious for its use by Depression-era gangsters, the 20 gauge Remington Model 11 semiautomatic shotgun, cut down to whipit length, was one of Bonnie Parker’s favored weapons while she was Clyde Barrow’s accomplice during their 1930’s Midwest crime spree. Whipits are strictly regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. -- Feb. 10, 2013
Wildcat -- A cartridge, normally designed by an individual, that has not been standardized by either SAAMI or C.I.P. Some factory cartridges, such as the 22-250 Remington, the 25-06 Remington, the 6.5-06 A-Square and the 35 Whelen began their lives as wildcats but were popular enough to be adopted by companies such as Remington and A-Square and were subsequently standardized by SAAMI. Many wildcats fill very specialized niches and by their very nature, are never standardized. -- December 1, 2014
Williams, David Marshall “Carbine” (b. Nov. 13, 1900 - d. Jan. 8, 1975) -- Inventor and gun designer best known for creating the short-stroke piston that was used in the U.S. M1 Carbine. Williams also created the “floating chamber” used in the Colt Service Model Ace 22 Long Rifle semiautomatic pistol and the .22 caliber M1 Training Machine Gun (a modified .30 caliber Browning Model 1917 machinegun) allowing the use of 22 LR ammunition for training purposes. According to the February 2009 American Rifleman article “Carbine” Williams Myth & Reality, pg. 47 by Bruce N. Canfield, Williams began developing some of his designs while serving a prison sentence for second-degree murder in the 1920s at Caledonia State Prison Farm, Halifax County, N.C. -- June 23, 2015
Willow -- A type of wood that has traditionally been used to create charcoal that is used in the manufacture of black powder. As documented in The Chemistry of Powder & Explosives, pg. 34 by Tenney L. Davis, willow charcoal is one of the preferred ingredients when manufacturing slow burning black powder or fuze powder. -- January 20, 2015
Copyright June 2015 John Swikart
