Krupp 50mm Mountain Gun (Thai Model 1902)

This video details the Krupp 50mm mountain gun designed for Siam (Thailand) around 1906. It highlights the gun's modular design for easy transport by man or animal, breaking down into multiple components. The presentation covers its simple breech mechanism, unique recoil absorption via a spade, and the offset sighting system. Notably, these guns are NFA exempt in the US, and ammunition can be hand-loaded.

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.

The Soviet Union's development of 50mm light mortars, specifically the RM-39 and RM-40, focused on simplifying production and improving operational safety. The RM-40 introduced stamped sheet metal for bipod legs and a simplified range scale adjusted by gas venting. Its base plate design was also improved to redirect vented gas away from the crew, enhancing safety during firing.

This video demonstrates the German L.Gr.W. 36 (5cm) light infantry mortar from WWII, showcasing its setup, assembly, and aiming procedures. The demonstration highlights the challenges of using 80-year-old propellant charges, which introduce inconsistencies affecting accuracy despite precise mechanical adjustments. The mortar's design, including its three-point support system and leveling dials, is explained, along with the use of original ammunition and targeting propane tanks.

This video showcases the rare French 50mm mle1937 light mortar, demonstrating its simple drop-fire mechanism. The presenter highlights the manual loading and firing process, where a projectile dropped into the muzzle strikes a firing pin. The demonstration occurs in a workshop setting, featuring the mortar tube and related components.

The Japanese Type 10 Light Grenade Projector, or 'knee mortar,' was an early 20th-century infantry weapon designed to bridge the gap between hand grenades and crew-served mortars. Despite its name, the curved base was not for bracing against the knee but for ground stability. It featured a unique adjustable vent for range control and a lever-actuated firing pin, differing from typical mortars. Though largely replaced by the Type 89 for combat, the Type 10 remained in service for signaling purposes.

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.