Hydrus Submachine Gun
| Hydrus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Carbine |
| Place of origin |  Red River Free State |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Free State farmers and landowners |
| Wars | Hesperidesian Revolutions |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Julius Steelsword and Bruce Whitewater |
| Manufacturer | Steelwater Arms, Acconia Armoury |
| Unit cost | $500 |
| Produced | 1977-Present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.27 kg |
| Length | 670 mm (extended stock) / 425 mm (folded stock) |
| Barrel length | 260 mm |
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Action | delayed blowback, closed bolt |
| Rate of fire | semi-automatic fire |
| Feed system | 25-round box magazines |
| Sights | iron sights |
The Hydrus carbine is a 9mm folding-stocked semi-automatic weapon of Red River origin that was first manufactured during the Hesperidesian Revoultions. The weapon was intended as a self-defense for white farmers.
After some delays, primarily due to wartime interruptions, the Steelwater Arms Company started the manufacture of the carbines in 1977, and after a month the production was then taken over by the Acconia Armoury which continues to produce the carbines to this day. The weapon was presented to public in April 1977 during Trade Fair exhibition at the Acconia Armoury stand. There is also a selective-fire model developed for military, capable of firing at 450–500 rpm.
Operation
The Hydrus semi-automatic carbine uses simple blowback action, firing from closed bolt. It features hammer-fired trigger mechanism with cross-bolt manual safety, located behind the trigger. Receiver and grip / trigger unit frame are made from steel stampings, grip itself is made from plastic. The Hydrus features fixed iron sights, top-folding shoulder stock and a short forend below the shrouded barrel. It uses double stack, double feed box magazines compatible with Israeli Uzi submachine guns.