Alofs Reloading Magazine
| Alofs Reloading Magazine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Herman Alofs |
| Designed | 1924 |
| Manufacturer | Alofs Manufacturing Company |
| Developed into | Sülün Arms ST-601 shotgun[1] |
| Produced | 1925–1930s |
The Alofs Reloading Magazine was an accessory made to be bolted onto single-shot break-action shotguns. It was intended to transform the shotgun into a repeater. It was designed by Herman Alofs in 1924 and manufactured by Alofs Manufacturing Company.[2][3][4][5][6]
History
The Alofs Reloading Magazine was designed in 1924, and patented in the same year, with the intention of converting a single-shot break-action shotgun into an inexpensive, repeating shotgun. It was sold for $6 each and advertised in 12, 16, 20, and .410 gauges, though due to their lack of appeal in gauges other than 12 gauge there may be no surviving examples other than in 12 gauge. The Alofs shotgun was produced until the 1930s.[2][3][4][5]
The Alofs Manufacturing Company declared bankruptcy in 1996.[7]
Design details
The Alofs Reloading Magazine is designed around a storage magazine that is connected to the firearm's barrel, and a transfer magazine, both of which are connected via a supporting rod.
In operation, once the user breaks open the gun and a shell is ejected, the Alofs Reloading Magazine's loaded transfer magazine places a new shell in alignment to the weapon's chamber. It engages a spring within the tubular magazine. Upon closing the shotgun, this spring pushes a new shell into the transfer magazine's chamber.[2] [3][4]
References
- ↑ "Sülün Arms ST-601 "Auslof" shotgun: what's old is new again". GUNSweek.com. 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- 1 2 3 McCollum, Ian (2021-12-29). "Alofs: A Steampunk Mousetrap for a Shotgun - Forgotten Weapons". www.forgottenweapons.com. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- 1 2 3 Heidler, Michael (2023-04-18). "The Alofs Reloading Magazine for Shotguns - Small Arms Review". Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- 1 2 3 Mitchell, Craig (2025-03-24). "Alofs Reloading Magazine: A Economical Retrofit for Single-Shot Shotguns". Project Upland. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- 1 2 "Alofs: A Steampunk Mousetrap for a Shotgun". History of Weapons & War. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ↑ Training for New Technologies: Success Stories for the 1990s. Bureau of National Affairs. 1988. ISBN 978-0-87179-985-2.
- ↑ "Alofs Manufacturing Co. Bankruptcy (1:96-bk-87690), Michigan Western Bankruptcy Court". www.pacermonitor.com. Retrieved 2026-03-22.