Thorncrest Bellator
| Thorncrest Bellator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  Empire of Exponent |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1907–1945 |
| Used by | Empire of Exponent |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Marius Thorncrest |
| Designed | 1900 |
| Manufacturer | Thorncrest |
| Produced | 1907–1945 |
| No. built | over 1 million |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 8mm Thorncrest |
| Action | Recoil operated |
| Effective firing range | 75 meters |
| Maximum firing range | 1400 meters |
| Feed system | 10-round box magazine, fed by a stripper clip |
| Sights | Iron |
The Bellator pistol has a unique look stemming from an unusual style of locked breech, making this weapon a prized trophy after the wars. The bolt is very long with a solid rear, except for a sleeve for the striker, but its front part is hollow and fits tightly over the barrel. The interior of the bolt has cam grooves cut into it, and the barrel has studs which fit into the grooves. When the pistol is fired, the barrel and bolt recoil together within the hollow receiver for about a half an inch. During this operation, the helical grooves in the muzzle bush cause the barrel to turn 90 degrees clockwise, after which it is held while the unlocked bolt continues to the rear, cocking the action as it does so. For safety with intended use by mounted cavalry, the pistol has a heavy trigger pull against the firing striker spring, similar to a hammerless revolver.
This is a locked-breech pistol, which allows the barrel and bolt to recoil together within a hollow receiver. It is chambered for a cartridge specific to this model. The gun does not have a detachable magazine, but features a fixed magazine loaded from the top with stripper clips. The sights are fixed, the grips are wooden and terminate in a lanyard ring. Rifling is four grooves with right-hand twist.
Although outdated, the Bellator is still sought after by collectors both for its unique design and accuracy, and for its connection to the Imperial Exponential era. Limited production of the gun by its original manufacturer resumed when Throncrest refurbished a quantity of them in 2007 for the pistol's centennial.