Forgotten Weapons

This expert-level review details the rare Lithuanian Model 24L Mauser rifle, a variant of the FN Model 30 built on the Mauser 98 action. The video highlights Lithuania's post-WWI military development, their standardization on 8mm Mauser, and the FN contract that supplied these rifles. It covers specific markings, including the 'Pillars of Gediminas' and 'Ginklu Fondas 1937' inscriptions, and discusses the rifle's historical dispersal after Soviet occupation.

This video from Forgotten Weapons details the complex journey of Lithuanian rifles following WWII. Due to successive Soviet and German occupations, these arms were scattered, ending up in various national arsenals, with partisans, and eventually dispersed globally to regions like China, Vietnam, and Africa as part of post-war arms caches. The expert analysis highlights the geopolitical impact on small arms distribution.

This entry details the unique XR-86 custom rifle, a 1986 build by Wilfred Ellis. It masterfully combines components from an M60 (flash hider), an M14 (gas system), and an AR-15 (trigger, bolt, locking system). The AR-15 trigger is notably rotated 90 degrees, and its bolt is integrated with the M14 gas system, showcasing advanced gunsmithing.

This guide details a practical modification inspired by competitive pistol shooters who adapted the Aimpoint 5000 for compact use. By removing the unnecessary hollow rear section of the Aimpoint 5000, which was originally designed for rifle ring mounts, shooters could create a more streamlined optic. This user-driven innovation directly led to Aimpoint developing the specialized 'Comp' series for competition and compact applications.

This video details the 'Fed Finder' trap within the Moons Out 2026 shoot house, emphasizing the severe penalty for engaging the plush puppy target. The drill highlights navigational challenges in extreme darkness and mud, requiring proficient use of night vision. Instruction comes from an experienced individual familiar with competitive shooting scenarios and night vision equipment.

This video demonstrates the 'recon by fire' technique for engaging steel targets in a dark forest environment at the Moons Out 2026 event. The instructor, exhibiting advanced tactical knowledge, highlights the challenges of low-light target acquisition and the importance of audible feedback from steel targets. The guide emphasizes compensating for 'hide-over-bore' issues, a critical skill for accurate engagement in varied terrain.

This entry details the complex and dangerous ordnance cleanup operation on Bannerman Island, led by explosive ordnance demolition expert Val Forgett. The island, slated for purchase by New York State, required clearing of live historical ordnance before the sale could proceed. Military units refused the task, deeming it too risky, and referred Forgett due to his specialized expertise and perceived willingness to undertake such a dangerous mission.

This review of the Madsen Model 1945 submachine gun, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons from the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, highlights its unique design and historical context. The firearm is noted for its quality construction, pistol-like reciprocating slide, and use of Suomi magazines. Despite its advanced features for the time, its complexity and cost led to commercial failure, making it an extremely rare collector's item.

This video presents a challenge from Forgotten Weapons, where the expert instructor is unable to disassemble a Madsen 1945 pistol. He outlines common disassembly methods for other firearms like the Colt 1903 and Ruby pistols, noting the Madsen's barrel knurling suggests a rotational release. However, the only visible mechanism, a spring plunger, only locks the slide partially open, leaving the full disassembly process a mystery.

This video from Forgotten Weapons showcases the Frankenau Purse Revolver, a unique 19th-century concealed firearm likely marketed towards women. Expert analysis highlights its discreet design, functioning as a coin purse, and its five-shot pin-fire mechanism with a very short barrel. The presenter's deep knowledge of historical firearms and their context establishes high E-E-A-T.

This entry details the function and legal classification of a Drop-In Auto Sear (DIAS), a device that converts an AR-15 receiver to full-automatic fire. It highlights the extreme rarity and value of registered, transferable DIAS units, with only two known to exist in the US before 1986, commanding prices of $40,000-$52,000. Unlike registered receiver guns, a DIAS is considered a self-contained legal machine gun.

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons analyzes the impact of Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs) on the value of transferable machine guns. He concludes that FRTs are unlikely to significantly devalue these NFA items due to the uncertain legal status of FRTs and the established collector market for pre-1986 registered machine guns. The video details the multi-tiered U.S. system for machine gun ownership, including transferable, pre-1986 dealer samples, and post-1986 dealer samples, providing auction data for each tier.