Announcing my Upcoming Book - and Art Contest!

Ian McCollum announces the preorder launch for his book, "Chassepot to FAMAS French Military Rifles, 1866 to 2016." The book serves as a comprehensive reference manual for collectors and historians, detailing French military rifles from the Chassepot to the FAMAS, including variations, markings, history, and combat use. Published by Headstamp Publications, the project aims to bring more small arms history to a wider audience.

This video delves into the history and technical development of the French Chassepot rifle, contrasting it with the Prussian Dreyse needle gun. It highlights the Chassepot's innovations in breech sealing and increased muzzle velocity, explaining how these advancements aimed to give France a tactical edge. The narrative emphasizes the competitive arms race between France and Prussia leading up to the Franco-Prussian War.

This Q&A episode of Forgotten Weapons covers a wide range of firearms topics, from the engineering of modular systems like the Stoner 63 to the historical adoption of the Lebel rifle. Host Ian McCollum discusses the pros and cons of bipods, recommends firearms museums, and explains the design process for firearms. He also touches on ammunition purchasing, the longevity of his channel, and the historical effectiveness of various firearms in conflict zones. The discussion extends to the evolution of firearm safety, the enduring popularity of the 9x19mm cartridge, and the challenges of firearms authorship.

This video provides an expert-level overview of French rifle ammunition, focusing on the 8mm Lebel and 7.5mm French cartridges. Ian McCollum, a recognized firearms authority, details their historical development, technical specifications, and unique design features, such as the 8mm Lebel's tube magazine safety groove and the transition to modern rimless cartridges. The content is highly educational for firearm enthusiasts and historians.

This video provides an overview of needlefire technology, focusing on three key historical firearms: the German Dreyse Needle Gun, the French Chassepot Rifle, and Carcano's needlefire conversions. It details the basic mechanism of needlefire, highlighting the Dreyse as the first military adoption and the Chassepot as common for collectors. The presentation emphasizes the historical significance and mechanical aspects of these early breech-loading rifles.

The Model 1886 Lebel rifle was a revolutionary firearm, being the first military arm to utilize smokeless powder. This innovation, developed by Paul Vieille, significantly increased projectile velocity and range compared to black powder. The rifle's design, though an amalgamation of existing concepts, was developed under intense pressure and fielded within a year, marking a pivotal moment in firearms technology.

This guide details the specific technique for separating two MAS-36 rifles that have been inadvertently locked together by their bayonets. It outlines the historical context of this issue, the modification made to the bayonet to resolve it, and the step-by-step procedure for disengagement. The technique requires precise alignment and the use of a pointed tool to access the internal release mechanism, as demonstrated by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

This guide details the loading and firing procedure for the M134 Minigun, as explained by Ian McCollum. It covers manual indexing of the barrel cluster, feeding the ammunition belt, engaging controls, and firing. The guide also touches upon the weapon's spin-down inertia and the function of modern clutch systems. Expert instruction from a recognized firearms historian highlights the technical aspects of operating this powerful weapon system.

This guide details the operational features of the H&K G11 K2, a prototype assault rifle known for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt. It covers the selector settings, magazine capacity, integrated optics, and the internal action designed for recoil management during high-rate-of-fire bursts. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the historical context and technical innovations of this advanced firearm.

This guide details the operation of the German L.Gr.W.36 50mm light mortar, as demonstrated by expert Ian McCollum. It covers assembly, leveling procedures, ammunition handling, and live fire execution, emphasizing the difficulty in visually tracking the projectile. The instruction highlights the importance of proper setup for accuracy.