ITM’s Dual Barrel Machine Guns
Militärgewehre-Enzyklopädie, a German translation of a Dutch book, contains what I believe may be the only reference to the bizarre dual-barrel creations of ITM Tool and Die (Cleveland, OH).
Both barrels of the Model-4 are chambered in 9mm Parabellum. The top barrel is 12" and the bottom is about 6". It has a single trigger, and fires at a rate of 800 rounds/minute. It weighs nearly 8 lbs!
The Model-3 gun chambers 7.62x51mm in the 16" top barrel and 9mm Parabellum in the 7.8" lower barrel. This too has a single trigger. I am not sure if pulling the trigger fires both barrel, or there is a selector switch. Like the Model-4 also cycles at 800 rounds/minute. The Model-3 weighs 9.7 lbs, presumably unloaded.
ITM has developed many other 9mm and 7.62x39mm machine gun prototypes, both in single barrel and dual barrel configurations. You will have to purchase Militärgewehre-Enzyklopädie to see photos of these as I do not want to publish the entire chapter of a book. 1
I spoke to the owner of ITM Tool and Die and he confirmed that they are still developing prototypes, although he was not willing to disclose any information about their current projects or the guns featured in Militärgewehre-Enzyklopädie.
Many thanks to Sven (Defense and Freedom) for the tip.
Many thank also to A. E. Hartink, the books' author, for letting me use his photos.
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I get no commission whatsoever if you purchase the book. ↩
So, does it shoot 7.62x39mm 800 rpm and 9mm another 800 rpm (1600 rpm combined), or does it shoot 7.62x39mm + 9mm 800 rpm combined?
Maybe that first one uses the 2 barrels to perform a sort of double tap burst with the lower barrel firing second as the recoil would put them in almost the same point of impact similar to that new Russian rifle for the Spetsnaz. Cheers.
I find it a bit odd that the president of ITM does not want to discuss any past, present, or future firearms.
I know some people with machine shops set themselves up as Class-2 manufacturers and only make a minimal attempt to market their products to police departments. These manufacturers, of course, are free to keep and test their products indefinitely.
My only guess is that ITM may be one such company.
Thats one ugly weapon. I dont get it, if I got a 7.62×39 system why do I want a lousy 9mm SMG? Id just take more 7.62 ammo and better knock down power.
The moral of the story: Don’t brainstorm new firearm concepts while on drugs.
Great blog; it’s on my everyday-read list. Thank you for all your work!
Not to be a pedant, but it’s “dual” barrel, not “duel” barrel. You may use a dual barreled rifle to win a duel, but duelling with a dually probably wouldn’t work…
Kevin, ah, fixed. Thanks.
Granted, it’s ITM’s right and priviledge to develop such a thing. But for what purpose (other then because “I can”)? And is there a customer for this kind of thing? If so, what is THEIR reason for wanting it? Inquiring minds. . . .
@ Steve
No it’s in German. It’s a different book.
I’d just like to point out that a duel barrel weapon would be a dual-barrel weapon with 2 barrels facing each other.
Robert, LOL, good one
These pictures are in the book “Die Enzyklopädie der Militärwaffen”, too. Btw it’s the worst book about weapons i’ve ever bought.
Mark, wouldn’t that be the original Dutch language version?