Description
Federal Laboratories No. 207 Spedeheat 1½-Inch DM Gas Cartridge — Empty Sample
Item Overview
This Federal Laboratories No. 207 Spedeheat cartridge is an empty sample of the DM gas projectile made for the company’s 1½-inch riot-gas guns. Its prominent “EMPTY SAMPLE” marking is the key feature of this example. The product wording and green identification markings preserve the appearance of an older commercial police cartridge.
- Model marking: “No. 207 Federal Spedeheat”
- Product designation: “Sickening Gas (DM) Projectile”
- Manufacturer marking: “Federal Laboratories, Inc.—Saltsburg, Pa., U.S.A.”
- Sample marking: “EMPTY SAMPLE”
- Color identification: Green markings consistent with Federal’s documented DM color code
Function
The original service model was intended to disperse Adamsite, known by the military designation DM. This chemical is an irritant and vomiting agent, which explains the period term “sickening gas.” Spedeheat projectiles were burning-type munitions that released their chemical payload through vents in the body. The dispersed material formed a cloud of fine particles.
Documented End-Item Application
The documented parent weapon is the Federal 1½-inch riot-gas gun, approximately 38mm in caliber. The U.S. Army’s July 1976 Chemical Munitions EOD/TE Study Guide lists Models 206, 207, and 560 together as Federal 1½-inch Spedeheat projectiles. Its identification page describes the family’s use with the matching gas gun and records the different chemical versions.
Product History
Federal Laboratories was organized in 1923 to develop gas equipment for law enforcement, according to the company’s training literature. Its product line included launchers, projectiles, grenades, and personal dispersers. No. 207 belonged to the Spedeheat family, which used separate model numbers to identify different chemical versions. The Saltsburg address connects this sample to the company’s Pennsylvania operations, while the 1976 Army guide supplies a dated record of the model.
Parent-Equipment History
Federal produced the 1½-inch riot-gas gun as a specialized launcher in its law-enforcement equipment line. Its period manual compares the gun to a single-barrel shotgun. The San Mateo County History Museum preserves a Federal Model 201-Z dated to the 1960s, an example of the dedicated launchers sold for police service.
Weapon-System Background
The riot-gas gun was the launcher within a broader system of commercial chemical ammunition. Period police references describe projectiles with burning or bursting action and with or without stabilizing fins. Product names, model numbers, and color codes distinguished these versions. The DM designation identifies the original chemical loading associated with No. 207.
History of Use
The service model was marketed for riot control. Federal’s period training literature discussed DM for extreme situations and cautioned against general law-enforcement use because its effects could be severe and long-lasting. No. 207’s inclusion in the Army study guide also documents its place in ordnance recognition training. This empty sample preserves the commercial labeling associated with that history.
Condition
Marked “EMPTY SAMPLE” and offered as an empty, inert collector’s cartridge with the identifying wording and green markings described above. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This sample suits displays that explain how commercial riot-control equipment was labeled and sold. Its model number, agent wording, and sample stamp make it useful beside period Federal catalogs and historical launcher equipment.
- Federal Laboratories and Spedeheat collections
- Empty sample and inert cartridge collections
- Police equipment and riot-gun history displays
- Museum exhibits on chemical ordnance identification
Approx length 9", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 0.3lbs.
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