Ballistic system and method for cutting a multi-link metal chain

A system for ballistically cutting a multi-link metal chain, the system comprising:

• a firearm attachment feature wherein:
• the firearm attachment feature detachably attaches to the barrel of a firearm to align the system with the path of a bullet exiting the firearm;
• and
• a chain alignment module comprising a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, wherein:
• the a gap between the first pin and the second pin facilitates alignment of a target link of the metal chain, wherein:
• the gap comprises is at least partially defined by a first surface located on the first pin and a second surface located on the second pin;
• and
• the a mid-plane of between the first surface and the second surface is coplanar with the path of the bullet;
• the third pin fits through the center of a link adjacent to the target link;
• the third pin comprises a target link engagement surface for positioning a semicircular region of the target link with the path of the bullet;
• the first pin comprises a first feature for engaging the link adjacent to the target link;
• the second pin comprises a second feature for engaging the link adjacent to the target link;
• and
• the first feature and the second feature are parallel.

A method for ballistic cutting of a multi-link metal chain, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a fixture comprising three rigid pins;
• aligning the fixture with the path of a bullet exiting a firearm proximate to the point where the bullet exits the barrel of the firearm;
• placing a target link of the multi-link metal chain between a first pin and a second pin two of the three rigid pins;
• placing a second link over a third pin the third of the three rigid pins, wherein the second link comprises a link is adjacent to the target link;
• and
• wherein placing the target link and placing the second link further comprise placing the target link in a location so that the path of the bullet impacts the target link in a semicircular region of the target link at an angle of incidence that causes the target link to open.

A chain holder for ballistically opening a target link of a multi-link chain, said chain holder being attachable to a firearm having a barrel and comprising:

• a first target link pin having a first side with a first flat region for engaging a link connected to the target link and a second side with a first flat surface at least partially defining a slot;
• a second target link pin having a first side with a second flat region for engaging a link connected to the target link and a second side with a second flat surface at least partially defining the slot, said second flat region being coplanar with the first flat region, and said second flat surface being parallel with the first flat surface;
• a midplane halfway between the first flat surface and the second flat surface, said midplane being coplanar with a barrel axis defined by the center of the barrel when the chain holder is attached to the firearm;
• an adjacent link pin with a target link engagement surface facing the barrel axis when the chain holder is attached to the firearm, a first adjacent link pin side and a second adjacent link pin side opposite the first adjacent link pin side, said first adjacent link pin side and a said second adjacent link pin side being parallel to the midplane;
• and
• wherein the target link has a semicircular end with a central plane in the barrel axis when the chain holder is attached to the firearm and the target link is inserted into the slot.

A chain holder for ballistically opening a target link of a multi-link chain, said chain holder being attachable to a firearm having a barrel and comprising:

• a first side attachable to a firearm;
• a second side opposite the first side;
• an aperture extending between the first side and the second side, said aperture being axially aligned with a barrel axis defined by the center of the barrel when the chain holder is attached to the firearm;
• a first pin extending from the second side, said first pin having a first sidewall with a first flat surface;
• a second pin extending from the second side, said second pin having a second sidewall with a second flat surface substantially parallel to the first flat surface;
• a gap between the first pin and the second pin, said gap being configured to receive the target link and having a midplane parallel to the first and second flat surfaces, said midplane being coplanar with the barrel axis when the chain holder is attached to the firearm;
• a third pin extending from the second side, said third pin having a target link engagement surface facing the barrel axis when the chain holder is attached to the firearm, and said third pin being configured to at least partially fit through a central open region of a link adjacent to the target link;
• and
• wherein the first pin comprises a first feature for engaging the link adjacent to the target link, the second pin comprises a second feature for engaging the link adjacent to the target link, and the first feature and the second feature are coplanar.