Paltik
Encyclopedia
Paltik is a Filipino
term used to denote a "homemade gun
". It originated late in the Philippine-American War
when guns and ammunition had become scarce. The most common form of the weapon
was a gas pipe attached to a rifle stock. Wire was usually wrapped around the barrel to keep the pipe from expanding when the gun is fired. It was muzzle-loaded and fired a medium sized bullet
or musket
ball. A small hole at the breach
end of the barrel accommodated a cigarette
or match that was used to ignite the primer, making aiming difficult. This also gave rise to the nickname, "Cigarette Gun".
Accuracy was poor and the firing mechanism even worse. Due to poor craftsmanship, the weapon was more dangerous to the shooter than the target. Some Filipino
gunsmiths however, did make reliable percussion cap
rifles that functioned in a manner similar to a 19th century musket.
Paltiks are still made illegally in the Philippines
today. Although these are more sophisticated than their 19th century counterpart, the weapon is still mostly unreliable and dangerous. Another version of the Filipino home-made gun is the sumpak.
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
term used to denote a "homemade gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
". It originated late in the Philippine-American War
Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
when guns and ammunition had become scarce. The most common form of the weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
was a gas pipe attached to a rifle stock. Wire was usually wrapped around the barrel to keep the pipe from expanding when the gun is fired. It was muzzle-loaded and fired a medium sized bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
or musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
ball. A small hole at the breach
Breach
-In law:* Breach of confidence, a common law tort that protects private information that is conveyed in confidence* Breach of contract, a situation in which a binding agreement is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract...
end of the barrel accommodated a cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
or match that was used to ignite the primer, making aiming difficult. This also gave rise to the nickname, "Cigarette Gun".
Accuracy was poor and the firing mechanism even worse. Due to poor craftsmanship, the weapon was more dangerous to the shooter than the target. Some Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
gunsmiths however, did make reliable percussion cap
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
rifles that functioned in a manner similar to a 19th century musket.
Paltiks are still made illegally in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
today. Although these are more sophisticated than their 19th century counterpart, the weapon is still mostly unreliable and dangerous. Another version of the Filipino home-made gun is the sumpak.
See also
- Sumpak
- Gun industry in Danao