The CIA’s SECRET WEAPON
Michael Heidler investigates the $4 pistol designed by America’s Central Intelligence Agency
In the middle of World War II, the United States manufactured a simple one-shot pistol in large numbers for the purpose of supplying resistance movements in enemy countries. The Liberator was loaded with a single cartridg enabling a resistance fighter to kill an armed enemy soldier and then taken his better weapon and ammunition. However, the Americans did not carry out the originally intended mass airdrops of the pistol over occupied Europe. Instead, Britain received about 20,000 pieces for distribution to the French resistance. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) received about 450,000 pieces, but made little use of it. So, most of the weapons remained stored beyond the end of the war. In 1946-47, the American forces sorted out a lot of old war material from their depots and as part of this cleanup, most Liberators were scrapped.
After WWII, the war in Indochina eventually led to the division of Vietnam. The US increasingly supported the South, first with air transports and delivery of modern weapons, but still without direct combat mission. In secret the intelligence services were very active. They provided information to the South Vietnamese and organised targeted commando operations. At that time, somebody of the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) seemed to have remembered the old Liberator pistols but when they looked for these weapons, they had long since disappeared from the depots.
Therefore, a new development became necessary, to create a modern version of the FP-45 Liberator. In 1962 the CIA turned to Russell J Moure, at the time chief designer of American Machine & Foundry (AMF). The company was best known as a manufacturer of gardening equipment, bicycles and toys. However, a secret department was involved in the construction of nuclear reactors and weapons. Such a partner was ideal for the CIA. Moure and his team got down to work and what came out was a small aluminium pistol in 9mm calibre. The calculated price for mass production was $3.95 apiece. The correct CIA internal name of the weapon was DEAR Pistol as an abbreviation for Denied Area Pistol. Where the incorrect name of Deer Gun comes from is not known. Perhaps it was spread by the CIA as a cover to fake a hunting weapon, or it was simply a spelling mistake.
Towards the end of 1962, the CIA was able to test the first prototype.
The weapon seemed to have met the expectations of the participants probably, because a first order over 1,000 pieces was soon placed. The contract amounted to $300,000, equivalent to $300 per weapon. This sum covered not only the production costs, but also the previous development costs. For a future mass production the low price would have been provided.
The DEAR Pistol mainly consists of a sturdy housing made of cast aluminium and a screwed-in, blued steel barrel with rifling. Six experimental weapons were equipped with smooth-bore barrels. In the hollow grip, three spare cartridges (9mm) can be stowed. It is closed by a
plug made of black plastic. However, the bright, bare aluminium, without any colour treatment, made the weapon conspicuous. A line of sight is indicated in the form of a slightly increased casting seam along the top of the housing. The pistol has no trigger guard. The safety consists of a plastic clip that can be put on the pulled-out cocking handle. Before shooting it must be removed and can be clamped onto the barrel as an auxiliary foresight. However, this loose little piece was quickly lost.
The calibre of 9 x 19 mm was chosen because of the smaller dimensions and the less powerful charge in contrast to .45 ACP. Also it could confuse the enemy if nothing pointed to the American origin. The cartridge cases specially made for this weapon got the headstamp ‘9 MM 42’ to simulate old European ammunition from World War II. The weapon itself did not carry any stamps or other markings.
To use the weapon, the barrel must be screwed off. This is possible without tools. Then the operator puts a 9mm round in the chamber and screws the barrel back into place. Before firing the striker is pulled backwards by means of the conically shaped handle. This serves directly as a firing pin. If one does not want to fire the gun right away, the plastic clip can be attached as a safety. It prevents premature release of the striker. After the shot, the barrel is unscrewed again. Also, the plastic plug is removed from the base of the pistol grip. It contains a small metal rod in a holder, which can be used to push the empty cartridge case out of the chamber.
Now then the weapon is ready for being reloaded again.
The DEAR Pistol was delivered from the factory in a neutral cardboard box with white Styrofoam insert. Included were three 9mm cartridges and a folded instruction leaflet. It explained the handling of the gun in comic style. The enemy was also clearly recognisable: the victim wore an armband with a hammer and a sickle.
In 1964, an unknown number of DEAR Pistols was delivered to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and allegedly 150 of these were sent for a field trial to Asia. Nothing is known about the results. In any case, the weapon was now well developed and tested, so that in the same year it was added to the CIA's weapons list with the inventory number 1395-H00-9108. Meanwhile, however, the political situation had changed. President John F. Kennedy had fallen victim to an assassination attempt, the Vietnam
War had continued to increase in intensity and the United States was now actively involved. The need for a partisan weapon such as the DEAR Pistol declined. An order for mass production by the CIA was never placed and American Machine & Foundry did not produce any further copies. Presumably, most of the 1,000 pistols manufactured and delivered to the CIA were eventually destroyed. Only a few pieces can be found in museums or appear on the collector's market. At James D. Julia Auctions in 2009 a Pistol, without accessories and missing base plug, came under the hammer and reached $13,800. Another Pistol, complete with packaging, three original cartridges and instruction leaflet reached a whopping $25,875 at Rock Island Auctions in 2011.
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Acknowledgements: Rock Island Auction Company and James D. Julia Auctioneers Inc for the photos.
Sectional drawing of the DEAR pistol (Drawing © JM Ramos)