“Grey Ghost” - The French Occupation Production P38 Pistol

This video delves into the 'gold rush' of surplus firearms that flooded the market after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Val Forgett of Navy Arms, alongside Ian McCollum, recounts the chaotic but lucrative period of importing vast quantities of Soviet and Eastern Bloc weaponry, including Makarovs, SKSs, and Mosin-Nagants. The discussion highlights the origins of these firearms, the logistical challenges of international trade in the 1990s, and the surprising historical context of World War II era weapons being sourced from former Soviet republics like Ukraine. It also touches upon other significant surplus acquisitions, such as British L42 sniper rifles and Ishapore Enfields, detailing their market value then and now.

This video showcases two veteran bring-back firearms with unique stories: a 1917 Colt 1911 believed to have served with the US Marine Corps in WWI, and a 1944 Mauser P38 from WWII. The P38 is presented with a custom holster that incorporates two woven wedding bands, suggesting a deeply personal connection for the original owner, identified by initials TWA and the Fifth Infantry Division symbol.

This video compares the US M9 service pistol to earlier European Beretta Model 92 designs. It highlights key differences such as the American-standard magazine release location, the hammer drop safety's appearance and accessibility, the grip shape, and the magazine release mechanism (heel vs. button). The video notes the M9's lineage from the P38's operating system.

This Q&A session with firearms collector Tom delves into his favorite WWII German pistols, including presentation pieces from high-ranking Nazi officials and Luftwaffe aces. He discusses the historical significance, rarity, and value of items like a pistol presented to Luftwaffe ace Hans Phillip and a presentation gun from Heinrich Himmler. The conversation also touches on favorite German and American WWII sidearms, collecting advice for new enthusiasts, and the nuances of historical firearms.

This video provides an expert-level overview of the French occupation-produced Mauser K98k, specifically the svwMB variant. It details the limited production run, unique French inspection marks replacing German Waffenamt stamps, and a distinct modification to the stock for attaching a standard French infantry rifle sling. The analysis highlights the historical context of post-war arms manufacturing under Allied administration.

This episode of 'Opening the Archives' from Palmetto State Armory focuses on the museum's 'Bringbacks and War Trophies' exhibit. CEO Jamon McCllum highlights the importance of documented bringbacks and showcases a particularly unique item: a German P38 pistol and bayonet brought back by Calvin Meny, an African-American soldier and Bronze Star recipient. The exhibit aims to honor individual soldiers and their service, emphasizing the historical significance of these artifacts.

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.