John Martz Custom P38s: Babies, .45s, and .38 Supers

This video showcases a rare custom "baby" Walther P38, a uniquely shortened variant of the classic pistol. Brownells Gun Tech Steve Ostrem details the significant modifications, including a reduced barrel, grip frame, grips, and magazine. The magazine itself is an original WWII German P38 mag with a Waffenamt stamp that has been expertly altered. A distinctive pinkie finger rest has been added to the grip. The craftsmanship is attributed to a highly skilled gunsmith, possibly John Martz, who created a compact 9mm carry pistol long before modern compact options were available. Viewers are encouraged to share any knowledge they have about this mystery firearm.

This video explores the exceptional custom Luger pistols crafted by John Martz, a self-taught gunsmith. Martz specialized in complex modifications, including .45 ACP conversions by extending frames and creating compact 'Baby' Lugers. His innovative Martz Safety Toggle Release (MSTR) mechanism is also detailed, enhancing functionality. The content highlights Martz's legacy of unique, high-quality firearm art.

This video presents a humorous 'Magic Gunsmithing Box' experiment by Ian McCollum. He combines a Walther P38 pistol with Badel Slivovitz, shaking them in a box to simulate a magical process. The resulting 'creation' is humorously presented as a Croatian PHP pistol, implying a hybrid of German engineering and Croatian spirits.

This video debunks the myth that re-bluing a classic or collectible firearm will increase its value. Hosts Caleb and Steve from Brownells Gun Techs explain that preserving the original finish, or 'patina,' is crucial for maintaining collector value, even if it's worn or discolored. They suggest that re-bluing is generally a bad idea for valuable firearms and is better suited for guns with little collector interest or for sentimental restoration. The video also highlights the importance of professional 'antique cleaning' for valuable firearms as an alternative to refinishing, comparing it to restoring a Renaissance painting. They mention specific firearm examples like the Colt Single Action Army, Winchester 1894, Mossberg 500, Romanian Tokarev TT-33, WWII Walther P38, and contrast their ideal treatments.

This video details the complex process of restoring a Walther P.38 pistol recovered from a fire. It covers initial disassembly challenges due to melted plastic, rust conversion techniques by boiling metal parts, and meticulous reassembly of internal components. The restoration culminates in successful range testing, demonstrating that even severely fire-damaged firearms can be salvaged with expert gunsmithing.

This video showcases two custom Luger pistols chambered in .45 ACP, created by renowned pistolsmith John Martz in the 1970s and 80s. Starting from standard 9mm Lugers, Martz modified them to accommodate the significantly larger .45 ACP cartridge, resulting in visibly larger pistols. The video features Keith Ford and Steve Ostrem from Rock Island Auctions explaining the intricate process and highlighting a "Baby" Luger and a custom German Navy Luger with a 6-inch barrel, distinguishing it from the standard P08 model.

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.