I don't think this is the right explanation. Using an IRF520 MOSFET, I was able to get over 140 volts from a 1.5V battery without it being shorted. By your calculations, this would mean 23.3V running through the secondary coil or 24.8 running through the gate - almost 5 more than its allowable gate voltage.

Ratio is 1:6, with the feedback coil having less turns

The item not specified is not a transformer but two inductors in parallel, with one acting as a feedback coil for switching purposes. In real life this simply looks like coils around the original inductor. I use a 9V battery to power it all, and the voltage across it is ~8V. I will clarify all that in the post now, my apologies.

winny - is there a way I could do so without purchasing a function generator? Again, I am limited in the data I can provide

Math Keeps Me Busy - thank you for pointing that out, and my apologies. Still learning :)