FP-45 LIBERATOR

US Military, 1942

Mass-produced distributed weaponry

George Hyde designed this simple mass-produced gun for distribution by Allied forces in occupied Europe during World War II. The intention was for the weapon to be dropped from aircraft with instructions on their use for resistance fighters, but almost none were distributed. There is no documented instance of their use in combat. Today, they are rare collector’s items. The object on exhibit here is a replica with a cutaway for study purposes, produced by Vintage Ordnance in the US.

Image courtesy Rama via Wikimedia Commons