Dolf Goldsmith on his 37mm Bofors antitank gun

This "Throwback Thursday" episode features Dolf Goldsmith, a veteran of the NFA shooting community since the 1950s, sharing his reminiscences and stories about destructive devices. The video highlights his extensive knowledge and passion for firearms, particularly those with historical significance. It references specific incidents and ordnance, including a Bazooka attack on the UN, a 20mm Lahti bank robbery, and Finnish 82mm mortars, providing links for further information and Dolf's published works.

This video features an interview with Dolf Goldsmith discussing "$5 Finnish mortars," likely Soviet-made and captured by the Finns. The discussion clarifies that these mortars were acquired for recreational purposes rather than profit. The video touches on the Finnish military's use of mortars from various origins, including Soviet and Western powers. Forgotten Weapons is mentioned as the source.

This video features Dolf Goldsmith discussing "Destructive Devices" and their impact on public awareness. It highlights a specific incident where a Lahti was sought by the New York police, likely related to a bazooka firing at the UN, as reported in the New York Times. The description also connects a bank robbery, which apparently involved such devices, to the inspiration for the 1974 film "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot."

This video features an interview with Dolf Goldsmith, a highly respected author and 60-year veteran in the machine gun collecting community. Conducted at the SAR West gun show, the discussion delves into the evolution of machine gun collecting, future trends in the hobby, and identifies what might be the best machine gun design of all time. Despite initial audio challenges, the content offers valuable insights from an expert with extensive knowledge of historical firearms and an understanding of current collector interests.

This video reposts an interview with Dolf Goldsmith, filmed in December 2011, where he discusses the evolution of gun collecting over 70 years, starting from the 1950s. Goldsmith shares anecdotes about US Army testing with the PKM and a heavy machine gun his aunt received for her Red Cross service. The discussion also touches upon a planned book collaboration with Robert Segel, sadly unfulfilled due to Segel's passing. Despite this, Dolf Goldsmith, now 93, remains an active member of the firearms community.

This video announces updates to the "Pistols of the Warlords" Kickstarter campaign, highlighting the addition of Dolf Goldsmith's monograph "Arming the Dragon" as a standalone pledge option. The book, originally planned as softcover, will now be a hardcover due to high demand. Existing pledges for Collector's Editions will receive a hardcover copy of "Arming the Dragon" included for free. The announcement also promotes a final livestream event celebrating the campaign's closing hours, featuring discussions on Chinese firearms and themed cocktails.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.