This time we are traveling back to the 90's to view a gun, gun makers and a small factory that appeared to hold promise but failed to soar.
Jonathan W. Phillips and Roger A. Hunziker set out to solve the problem of cartridge interchangeability. They saw that many handgun cartridges were made in the .35 caliber range and thought it would be a revolutionary idea to create a gun that could shoot them all. This gun was to be the end-all gun for the apocalypse. What a benefit it would be to be able to fire any 35-caliber ammo (even some 32-caliber ammo) you came across.
Obviously, a semi-auto pistol would not work, as the only way to function would be with a complex, self-adjusting gas system. A revolver seemed a much better choice.
They started with the design for an extractor that could grip the rim of a revolver cartridge or the groove of an auto loading cartridge.
They set up shop in 1992 and by 1995 applied for a patent for their unique extractor/retention for revolvers. They called their company "Phillips and Rodgers", funny they changed the name of Roger to Rodger and left out the apostrophe.
For the frame they copied the Smith & Wesson K-frame, many mistakenly think S&W provided the frames, there is no evidence of this, in addition Phillips and Rodgers made their receivers out of 8620 steel whereas S&W revolvers are believed to be made from 4140. It would make sense that Phillips & Rodgers bought the internal parts from S&W.
By copying an existing gun, grips, holsters and other items are already available in the aftermarket.
They offered the revolvers in a 4" and 6" barrel and even made some conversion cylinders for S&W, Colt and Ruger revolvers.
They rented a facility in Conroe Texas on the corner of Hilbig and Criminal Justice Drive. The neighborhood was also the home to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, Montgomery County Sheriff's Academy, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Montgomery County Juvenile Services, Montgomery County Adult Probation Department, The Joe Corely Processing Center, the Montgomery ICE Processing Center, Montgomery County Jail as well as an Auto Theft Recovery company and several bail bond companies.
They rented a portion of this building at 100 Hilbig Road, Conroe Texas
In 1997 as the company was failing, they moved their offices and what remained of the equipment and gun parts to a farmhouse in Huntsville (just a few miles north).
Here is the building at 852 FM980 Road, Huntsville.
What Remains:
The company folded after only making approximately 500 revolvers, I assume there are probably a bin or box out there somewhere with parts that more could be produced.
In 1997 it was over, the company closed and the guns became curiosities for collectors and due to their scarcity command high prices when they become available for sale.
As far as I can tell both buildings that housed the company still stand.
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