Continuing my series of drawings showing anthro MLP characters testing out various obscure late 19th century and early 20th century revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Link, Link, Link 

    One of the goals of this series is to show that many things we take for granted in later semi-automatic pistols were things that were learned and discovered through years of development and use. Both in engineering, chemistry, and metallurgy. 

    So in a steampunk version of Equestria the Crown is considering adopting a new pistol for the armed forces and have announced trials. In hope of being selected various inventors and manufacturers are bidding to win the contract. 

    In the an effort to get the widest range of opinions, and to engage with the population, the Royal Sisters have asked various subjects of the realm along with officers of the Kingdom to try them and give their feedback. 

   Maud Pie placed a 5 round clip of 6.5mm ammunition into the magazine of the pistol and then swung its side plate closed. As she did the representative of the company began her sales spiel. 

   "Now! Many of competitors in these trials have submitted models that can be criticized for being overall complex in their construction and operation!"

    Maud slowly arched an eyebrow at this declaration but remained silent as the sales mare pressed on with her presentation.

   "Instead of using complicated locking mechanisms that either rotate, tilt, or toggle to ensure safe operation. We've instead used a much simpler method of carefully balancing the weight of components, spring tension, and the power of the cartridge to allow safe operations!"

   Maud's eyebrow arched even higher and glanced down at the pistol in her hand. "So it's an unlocked action?" She said with a rather monotone voice. 

   "We're referring to it as a blowback operation! It's the pinnacle of simple functionality in a semi-automatic pistol!" Said sales mare. "The pistol in your hands is one of first in the production run. In the course of our testing we've discovered that the pressure of the fired cartridge is more than sufficient to extract and eject spent brass from the chamber without the need of any form of mechanical extractor!"

   "No, extractor." Maud repeated the sales mare claim. 

   The company representative nodded her head. "Exactly! In fact you may have noticed that cartridges don't even possess an extractor groove! In keeping with our company's policy simplicity this allows us to further simplifies production of the ammunition!" 

   "What if the round is a dud?" Maud look at the pistol. 

   "What?" Asked the sales mare.

   "What if the round is a dud?" Maud repeated. "What if it doesn't go off. What if I don't fire the entire clip and want to unload it? What then?"

    The sales mare's face went blank for a moment. "Um, uh well, you'd have to pull the bolt back while tilting the pistol upward to allow the cartridge in the chamber to fall out...I guess."

    "What if the chamber is fouled from powder residue." Maud continues her line of inquiry. "What if the cartridge becomes stuck or lodged in the chamber? What should a pony do?"

    The sales mare rubbed her chin for a moment. "Wwweeelll, uh, you'd have to insert something in through the muzzle and push it out. Like, um, a cleaning rod, or a pencil. In an emergency one could use a small branch or stick." 

   "Ah stick." Maud bemused.

   "Yes a stick! Well actually not a stick, but instead a twig. Yes a twig!" The sales mare exclaimed.

    Maud looked the other mare in the eyes. "You sound like my stallion. He's always talking about branches, sticks, twigs, and poking things."

   The pistol Maud is holding is a Bergmann Model 1896 No.3. And the yes the early models had no extractor and no extractor grooves on their cartridges. Ian McCollum at Forgotten Weapons has done an article Link and a video Link of this pistol.

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