A pneumatic weapon is a weapon that fires a projectile by means of air pressure , similar in principle to the operation of pneumatic tube delivery systems. The term comes from a Greek word for "wind" or "breath" (πνεῦμα).
5-463: The Shooting Star Tommy Gun is a pneumatic machine gun manufactured by Shooting Star Inc. It was invented by Charles A. Feltman, the grandson of Charles Feltman , often credited as the inventor of the hot dog in Coney Island, New York with Feltman previously inventing a hot dog roll toaster. The first version of the game was called "Mow 'Em Down" and featured a pneumatic machine gun resembling
10-420: A number of pneumatic toy weapons, which fire small, lightweight (often plastic and frequently hollow) projectiles at relatively low speeds. Airsoft and paintball guns are a popular toy that operates this way; when used with adequate safety equipment (eye protection at a minimum) these may be used in games involving shooting at other players. BB guns and other low powered air guns are often marketed towards
15-488: A water cooled heavy machine gun and was invented in 1939. Later Feltman modified the design to resemble a Thompson submachine gun with a patent granted in 1941 The weapon fires 100 .150 BBs , made of #2 lead shot. Later, a "Combat" variant was introduced, which crudely resembles a Colt AR-15 . Feltman industries operated in Coney Island for many years until it then moved to New Jersey and became Shooting Star Inc, as
20-465: The object of the game was to shoot out all traces of a red star on a white paper card. Pneumatic gun In theory, pneumatic weapons have certain advantages over traditional firearms : On the other hand, In practice, steam cannons and airguns were developed throughout 17th to 19th century, and the latter even in service with the Austrian army from 1780 to around 1815 , but firearms kept
25-415: The upper hand. The low projectile speed requirement of a toy weapon greatly reduces the amount of air pressure needed; combined with the importance of safety in the toy industry, this has led to widespread adoption of pneumatic firing mechanisms in toy weapons, where a propellant reaction is not appropriate (although other technologies, such as rubber bands , can be used). The toy industry has produced
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