Viking Atgeirr: Reevaluating the Origins of European Firearms

This video explores a rare flintlock hand mortar, a 17th/18th-century launching device. It discusses its potential use for launching grenades, signal flares, or fireworks, highlighting the significant recoil and dangers associated with its operation. The construction features a robust wooden stock and a large bore, with internal inspection revealing a wooden barrel base suggesting low-pressure applications.

This YouTube video focuses on Estonia's domestic arms production, specifically highlighting the Arsenal Tallinn SMG. Leveraging hashtags like #forgottenweapons and #smg, the content appears to delve into the history and potentially the technical aspects of this submachine gun, appealing to enthusiasts interested in lesser-known or historical firearms. The video likely provides a detailed look at the firearm, its origins, and its place within Estonian military or arms manufacturing history.

This video showcases a pair of rare 16th-century Saxon wheellock pistols, highlighting their ornate staghorn inlays and functional features like puffer pommels and aperture sights. The presenter emphasizes their status as high-end collectibles, noting the subtle handmade variations and the historical context of both original pieces and later reproductions. The pistols represent a significant point in early firearm development and artistry.

This video provides an in-depth look at the wheellock firearm system, tracing its history and demonstrating its operation. It highlights the wheellock's advantages over matchlocks, particularly for cavalry, due to its ability to be carried loaded and its independent ignition. The explanation covers the complex mechanical operation, loading procedures, and the concept of 'lock time' in relation to accuracy.

This Halloween special from the Royal Armouries features firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson examining an English Civil War era matchlock musket with historical ties to witchcraft superstitions. The video delves into the mechanics of the matchlock system, details of early firearms, and the historical context surrounding their use. It also touches upon firearm curses, folklore, and a collaboration with @Novum_YT to discuss a scene from 'The VVitch'. The content highlights the museum's collection at Littlecote House and the legacy of Alexander Popham, offering a unique blend of historical arms and cultural folklore.

This video from the Royal Armouries features Curatorial Assistant Christian Wellard exploring a collection of early percussion revolvers that belonged to King Ferdinand II of Sicily. Unlike modern revolvers tracing their lineage to Colt's 1840s designs, these pieces represent an earlier stage of revolver development. The video delves into the description of the revolvers, their accompanying items, historical context concerning Ferdinand II, specific details of their construction, and the Le Page manufacturer. It also discusses their historical usage and explains why these particular arms were chosen for the 'Up In Arms' series. The Royal Armouries encourages subscriptions, support, and engagement through comments.

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.