Videos tagged with Waffenfabrik Bern

The LMG-25, Switzerland's first modern light machine gun, features a unique toggle-locking system developed by Adolf Furrer. Chambered in 7.5x55mm Swiss, it offers select-fire capability and a 30-round magazine compatible with the Stgw 57. A notable feature is the Advanced Primer Ignition (API) system, which reduces felt recoil and rate of fire by igniting the primer while parts are still moving forward.

The LMG-25 is a unique Swiss toggle-locked light machine gun developed by Waffenfabrik Bern. It features a three-position fire selector (Safe, Semi-auto, Full-auto) and an innovative toggle-lock mechanism that articulates during the charging cycle. A key feature is its advanced primer ignition mode, designed to reduce recoil by igniting the primer while the bolt is still moving forward.

This review showcases the Swiss K31 rifle, highlighting its straight-pull bolt action and accuracy at 200 meters. The demonstration includes proper loading with stripper clips and engaging a steel silhouette target, validating the rifle's mechanical precision. The video emphasizes the K31's historical significance as a Swiss military firearm.

The K31 Swiss rifle is highlighted as one of the most accurate military surplus firearms. It features a distinctive straight-pull bolt action, a 6-round detachable magazine often loaded with stripper clips, and a unique ring-style safety. The rifle demonstrates excellent accuracy and rapid cycling capabilities during live fire.

This video from Forgotten Weapons, featuring Ian McCollum, delves into the rare Swiss M1900 Short Rifle and M1905 Cavalry Carbine. It highlights their development stemming from the M1896 Schmidt-Rubin action, designed to overcome the impracticality of earlier carbine designs. The expert presentation emphasizes the distinct features and intended roles of each carbine, contrasting them with later K11 models and explaining their rarity due to military conversions.

The WF-54 was a Swiss prototype rifle developed by Waffenfabrik Bern, scaling up the German FG-42 design to fire the full-power 7.5x55mm GP11 cartridge. It featured a closed-bolt firing system, a simplified charging handle, and a folding winter trigger. While only about 10 were made, it represented an iterative step towards the later SIG Stgw 57.

The WF-51 was a Swiss intermediate-cartridge rifle developed by Adolf Furrer at Waffenfabrik Bern, inspired by the German FG-42. It featured a unique tipping bolt mechanism and was chambered in 7.5x38mm, with 35 units produced for trials. Although it did not enter service, its development influenced later Swiss firearms before the adoption of the SIG Stgw 57.

This video explores the significant post-war legacy of the German FG42 automatic rifle, despite its limited production. It details how the FG42's innovative design, including its side-mounted magazine and unique firing mechanism, influenced later firearms. Key examples include the British EM-1 Korsak, Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern prototypes, and most notably, the American M60 machine gun, which evolved from an FG42-inspired T44 prototype.

This video provides an in-depth look at the K31 Swiss straight-pull rifle, highlighting its unique soldier identification tags and efficient straight-pull bolt action. It demonstrates the use of 7.5x55mm Swiss GP11 ammunition with stripper clips and showcases live-fire performance at the range. The review emphasizes the rifle's historical significance and mechanical ingenuity.

This video explores a rare W+F Bern P47 pistol prototype, one of only ten developed for Swiss Army trials in the late 1940s. The P47 was designed to replace the Luger with a simpler, more modern, and cost-effective 9mm Parabellum pistol. It features an elegant, all-steel design with a gas-delayed blowback operating system similar to the H&K P7, contributing to its compact size. The pistol boasts Swiss-watch precision, a frame-mounted thumb safety, integral rear sight, windage-adjustable front sight, and a European-style heel magazine release for its 8-round single-stack magazine. While the P47 lost the trials to the SIG P49 (commercialized as the P210), it represents a significant piece of firearm history and an interesting design evolution.

This video explores the hypothetical FG-42 chambered in 8x33mm Kurz, discussing its potential benefits like reduced recoil and increased ammo capacity. It details historical proposals, rejections by high command favoring full-power cartridges, and subsequent testing by both the Army and Luftwaffe. Post-war Swiss adaptations and the FG-42's influence on the M60 are also covered.

The Swiss 1929 Luger, produced by Waffenfabrik Bern, is a simplified yet high-quality variant of the classic P08. Key simplifications include a straight grip strap, enlarged grip safety, and removal of checkering on controls to reduce production time. Unique features include internal month/year date stamps and a shift from fragile Canvasite to more durable Bakelite grips.