The M2 Hyde was a prototype firearm developed by the United States military in 1941. It was tested extensively in labs and even in the field at the Battle of the Bulge, but ultimately the project was dropped because the Hyde had a tendency to overheat.

It was loaded with a magazine containing 55 rounds, each a centerfire bullet (the explosive powder was placed in a soft "pocket" in the center of the bullet, that would explode [and thereby fire the weapon] when struck). Unfortunately, however, because of the rapid fire, and the poor insulation around the barrel, when fired continuously (which it was designed for) it would overheat and become quite literally "too hot to handle", burning the wielder's hands. Before the problem could be fixed, WWII was over, and the project of developing the M2 Hyde was largely forgotten until 1947 when Israel expressed interest in picking up the project.

The United States worked with Isreal for sometime until in 1953 the entire project was finally and completely dropped because ultimately, the concept of the M2 Hyde sub-machine gun was rendered obselete.

Links

• World War Two US Gun Production