POTD: Rolling with a Pistol or Rifle Today? – The Fiala Model 1920
Sam.S 03.28.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Fiala Model 1920 was an unusual .22LR pistol designed for Arctic explorer Anthony Fiala in the early 1920s. It featured a removable shoulder stock and three interchangeable barrels (3″, 7.5″, 20″) to configure it as a pistol, rifle, or carbine as needed. This multi-barrel system predated the NFA’s regulations on stocked pistols. Despite its semi-automatic appearance, the Fiala was actually a manually operated, magazine-fed single-shot pistol. Between each shot, the user had to cycle the slide, as Fiala mistrusted autoloading actions in arctic conditions where the gun was intended for use. Only around 5,000 were produced by several companies in New Haven, CT before 1930 under names like Fiala, Schall, and Columbia Arms. Today the multi-configuration Fiala remains an unusual and collectible early 20th century .22 pistol design specifically exempted from the NFA.
“The Fiala Model 1920 is a rather unusual firearm. It is both a pistol and a carbine. It resembles semi-automatic rimfire pistols, but the slide is manually operated to ensure reliability in the cold. It was marketed with the backing of arctic explorer and artist of many talents: Anthony Fiala. Only a few thousand were manufactured. This example has the standard markings. A 7 1/2 inch round barrel with a dovetailed front sight is installed, and the slide has a combination notch and adjustable peep sight. A short 3 inch barrel with knurled surface and a fixed round blade front sight, a 20 inch smooth blued barrel with dovetailed front sight and walnut forearm, a detachable shoulder stock, a plain box, and a manual are included. The barrels are numbered to the gun.”
Lot 3712: Three Barrel Set Fiala Model 1920 Combination Pistol/Carbine – Rare Fiala Model 1920 Combination Pistol/Carbine with Three Barrels, Box, and Stock. (n.d.-k). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/70/3712/three-barrel-set-fiala-model-1920-combination-pistolcarbine.
