This video delves into the British Army's search for a replacement for the bolt-action Lee Enfield rifle in the 1920s. It highlights the examination of various self-loading rifle systems, drawing a parallel to the US Army's interest in the M1 Garand. Specifically, the discussion touches upon the 'Bang' rifle and the Vickers Pedersen as potential candidates that were evaluated during this period. The Royal Armouries, as the presenter, offers insights from their expertise.
The Ward Burton Model 1871 was an early US military bolt-action rifle tested in 1870. Despite its innovative cock-on-close action and rear locking lugs designed for black powder, it failed trials due to troop unfamiliarity and safety concerns related to its lack of an external hammer. Springfield Armory manufactured a limited run of 1,000 rifles and 300 carbines in 1872.
This video is a book review of David Nielsen's "History of the Mauser Rifle in Chile." The reviewer highlights the book's academic rigor, detailing the procurement and testing of the Chilean Model 1895, 1912, and 1935 Mauser rifles and carbines. While acknowledging the book's detailed primary source research, the reviewer notes its dry academic style and suggests it would benefit from more photography. The content covers Chilean military history, rifle and ammunition trials, and negotiations between manufacturers. Related topics like Navy rifles, 7.62mm NATO conversions, and Boer rifle purchases are also briefly mentioned.
This video details the very first SMLE troop trial rifles, developed after the Boer War to create a single 'short rifle' for all troops. It compares the A and B patterns, highlighting design changes like the charger guide and nose cap bayonet mount. The A pattern was adopted as the SMLE Mark I, evolving into the iconic Mark III.
This video details a rare Japanese copy of the Czech ZH-29 semi-automatic rifle, produced by Tokyo Gas & Electric (TG&E) as a prototype for 1930s Japanese military trials. Despite copying the ZH-29's lightweight design, the TG&E version suffered from accuracy issues attributed to its single offset locking lug and a unique trigger-actuated bolt release. The review covers its historical context, design differences from the original, and a demonstration of its field stripping process.
This review details the rare Japanese gas-operated Pedersen rifle, a unique semi-automatic design developed by Dr. Masaya Kawamura for Japanese trials before WWII. Despite its innovative gas system and reliable toggle-lock action, the program was canceled due to cost and the escalating war, prioritizing mass-produced bolt-action rifles.
This video examines the rare Liegeoise 1888 Trials Rifle, a competitor in Belgian military trials that ultimately lost to the 1889 Mauser. Key features include a unique top-mounted bolt handle, a Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip system, and unusual 'shark fin' locking lugs. The rifle showcases early smokeless powder military rifle design concepts.
The Mauser Gewehr 41(M) was a German WWII self-loading rifle developed under strict military requirements, including a bolt-action backup and no barrel gas ports. It utilized a unique 'Bang' gas trap system at the muzzle to cycle the action. Despite producing around 15,000 units, its complexity and fouling issues led to limited service and rarity today.
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