The Kansas Raygun by Mr. P. P. Belt is up for grabs

By Chris Eger

This .22LR was crafted by Mr. P. P. Belt of Fredonia, Kansas when he wasn’t busy with other inventions and was “dieselpunk” before that was even a think. (Photo: Rock Island)
This seriously interesting handgun, which looks like something right out of a 1930s Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon serial, is likely a one of a kind pistol from a Renaissance man.
Rock Island has it up for auction this week (estimated price $100-$200) and you will probably not find another like it. Crafted by one Mr. P. P. Belt of Fredonia, Kansas, it is a .22 LR semi-auto that accepts Colt Woodsman magazines — why reinvent the wheel on the latter, right? The barrel is 5.5-inches long and the rimfire action is contained in the rear of the receiver. The cocking handle is on the right-hand side. The piece has wood grips, a large bladed front sight, and rear notch. The flat trigger profile and low bore axis would surely be a hit today.
Belt seemed like an interesting fellow in a Tom Swift kind of way. The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri describes him as a jeweler and machinist in Fredonia (current pop just over 2,000.) He is listed on

Source: Guns.com