Municion L.M.P. 1889: Paris Commune to Spanish Civil War

Published on April 1, 2019
Duration: 10:34

This video details the 'L.M.P. 1889,' a French hand-thrown stone munition, initially developed for urban combat and later simplified for WWI. It covers manufacturing changes, including the use of Galalith and chalk, and its post-war distribution to Russia and Spain. The video concludes by revealing the entire history was an elaborate April Fools' Day hoax.

Quick Summary

The L.M.P. 1889 was presented as a French WWI hand-thrown stone munition, evolving from 1873 designs for urban combat. Manufacturing involved granite, chalk, and materials like Galalith. Its history, including use in Russia and Spain, was revealed as an April Fools' Day hoax.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the L.M.P. 1889
  2. 01:04Historical Origins: Paris Commune
  3. 02:57Manufacturing & Material Changes (Galalith)
  4. 03:51American Production Attempt
  5. 05:06The Chalk Version ('Poulpe Blanc')
  6. 07:38Post-War Use & German GL18
  7. 09:04Global Distribution (Russia, Spain)
  8. 10:04The April Fools' Hoax Reveal

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the L.M.P. 1889?

The L.M.P. 1889, or 'Munition Lancée à la Main Pierre,' was presented as a French infantry weapon from WWI, essentially a large, handled stone designed to be thrown. Its history, however, was revealed to be an elaborate April Fools' Day hoax.

What materials were used for the L.M.P. 1889?

Initially conceived as granite, the L.M.P. 1889 saw manufacturing changes. Handles shifted from brass to Galalith (a casein-based plastic) due to demand, and a chalk version was developed to address granite supply issues.

Did the L.M.P. 1889 see international use?

Yes, surplus L.M.P. 1889 units were reportedly sent as military aid to Russia during its civil war and later to Spain for the Spanish Civil War. The weapon was also said to have been adopted by Germany as the GL18.

What is the significance of the L.M.P. 1889 in military history?

The L.M.P. 1889's primary significance lies in its unique (and ultimately fictional) concept as a hand-thrown munition and its supposed evolution from early urban warfare tools. It serves as an example of creative, albeit fabricated, weapon development.

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