Daisy V/L

The Daisy V/L was the first production rifle for caseless ammunition. It was released in 1968 by Daisy Outdoor Products.

Daisy V/L
TypeSingle-shot rifle
Place of origin United States
Production history
DesignerJules Van Langenhoven
Designed1961
ManufacturerDaisy Outdoor Products
Produced1968-1969
No. built23,000
Specifications
Cartridge.22 caliber, caseless round
Caliber.22
ActionCompressed air to ignite cartridge
Muzzle velocity1,150 feet per second (350 m/s)
Feed systemSingle shot
SightsFront post, rear leaf sight

In 1961 Case Hough, the president of Daisy Heddon division of Victor Comptometer, purchased the design of a new firearm system. The new system was developed by a Belgian Chemist named Jules Van Langenhover. The new gun would be known as the Daisy V/L rifle.[1]

The V/L ammunition consisted of a .22 caliber bullet with a small cylinder of propellant on the back, and no primer.[2] The rifle resembled a typical spring-air rifle, but the 2000° hot, high pressure air served not only to propel the projectile but also to ignite the propellant on the back of the V/L cartridge. The rifle uses a small, unique and well designed part called an Obturator (obturator/ignitor) to compress the air as it is pushed through a tiny hole. This air is heated as it is pushed through the small hole enough to ignite the powder of the caseless round.[3]

The V/L guns and ammunition were discontinued in 1969 after the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ruled that they constituted a firearm, and Daisy, which was not licensed to manufacture firearms, decided to discontinue manufacture rather than become a firearms manufacturer. About 23,000 of the rifles were made before production ceased.

The V/L has been added to the ATF Curio & Relic list.

See also

References
  1. Nonte Jr., Major General George C. (October 1967). An Amazing New Kind of Gun. Popular Mechanics.
  2. Walker, Robert E. (2013). Cartridges and Firearm Identification. CRC Press. ISBN 9781466588813.
  3. Nonte Jr., Major General George C. (October 1967). An Amazing New Kind of Gun. Popular Mechanics.

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