imerican Derringer resurrects a type of weapon that used to be viewed simply as a curtosity. By Frank Jam Photos by Ichito Nag BUCAN HANDGUNNER * MARCH/APRIL 194The pen-gun experienced extensive development during WWIL by both. the Britch SOE and the American OSS. A fureptitious firearm designed for clas destine missions, it was built t0 Look Like exnmon fountain pen. Today, these p seldom seenand if they are, i is either in a muse: um or a private collection, Because of theirmature and background they are clas: sted under the National Firearms Act as restricted or registered NFA. firearms, To possess a pen-gun from WWIT you must pay the appropriate NFA tax, be finger- Frimed, and have the gon registered with ‘be BATF in Washingion, DC. ‘A new pistol from American Der. ringer Corp.. however, comes very close tw these historic "spook guns” in profile and style without the restrictive BATF slasification, American Derringer calls thei peoduct the “Pea Pistol” to distin- fh fom the potted pen-gn clas. ln shor, the American Derringer Cor- porstion's Pen Pistol is available oa the sue base a any oer handaun and ik ‘unique firearm, American Derringer sales literature sues that the device “Transforms From A Pen To A Legal Pistol In Two Sec- ‘nds." While great care must be exer ‘ved during this transformation, it wid? shange froma pen-like device into a pis- ‘in avery short time, but more aboot ina moment History Of Pen-Guns The first pen-guns were gas guns. They wore spe the devices dated feargat cartridge, Their purpose was to iow he purchaser tows thea faa a0 [thal manner by firing into the face of the attacker and disorienting the thug, thereby providing the customer with the ‘opportunity for escape. Great theary, bat ‘oe filled with faulty logic ‘These carly tear gas guns had litle trot effectiveness, but I-can remember poople during my youth who often camried such devices under the mistaken belief they ‘would ward off the errant mugger and purse snatcher of the early 1950s ‘The needs during World War IL were far more serious. Secret agents, operating in German occupied territories, simply couldn't risk being caught with firearm, ‘The Nazis, being 4 thorough bunch, often conducted surprise security checks on streets and sidewalks as they hunted downed allied airmen, Jews fleeing the infamous trains, leaders of the different resistance groups and SOE and OSS. secret agents, To be apprehended with n gun under AMERICAN HANDGUNINER * MARCH/APRIL 1994 these circumstances meant instant impris- ‘anment, if not immediate execution. (The Nazis had very strong and absolute con- cepts on gun control sn the counties they rnccupied.) ‘Whar was needed by the Allied seeret agents was somethiag that wouldo’t be immediately recognized as a firearm when they ‘were stopped unexpectedly during a seeurity check. The pen-guns seemed to be the answer, but they were nota perfect solutian, Commen Misconceptions There ate many misconceptions regariing tase firearms. Mang Eebeve they were developed for use in asass- along snd the Climlestion Of enemy persoreel bu some hinelan pole cut That more often than not Ineve seal “fad pns” were ceded to replace the eal tablets nt every secret spe topponcd to carry a coeany terry (Clandestine Warfare: Weapons and Equipment of the SOE and OSS. by James Ladd and Keith Melton, Bland ford Press, 1988) This pleen,vsually cymide, was (0 te used for a quick suiige should the agent be caprured by te een, dir Chie preventing the beuuyal of secrets dhrng tour. Many stories are tld about agents using thee devices To assassinate eoemy leaders and the technique Invariably ‘relies upon the agent getting close enough adi the mute of the pet-gun ily behind the targets head for 8 tiling shot Bt would be an ursuppesied sot see tht lone pole tbat Pestons toe ality of the “tseasination theory” Shout ese devices "he Brish SOE did have supresed single shor pisos that were depioyed in fmoninaions and varios ctr of coemy persouucl wilt the tuperitive Weird pil 32 ACE, and alter ‘elrod ode! in SxSmm being the Rest two examples British Pen-Guns ‘The British made a umber of eter xt pen-guns. One of the first mas the Enpen. it was a single shot 22 rinfire Seve tha was noneowtabke Kind ofa “fire and forget stem of things youknow what ean A"Mark IP version of the Empen was inodaced laine wr ha was capable of being reloaded. an even Inter device called de Welpen was teilable in caliber while fl etalning the over ofa foun pont th prod. ’The OSS weed both the Welpen and toe Singer. The Singer was 2 caller ‘weapon and the onal, Ike the eater Engen, was atirownway. "are and for fe fear ta was non selon Many reteences ean be found where uhorive of tis period id not consid Ecrinued on page 13 a