Uniquely Ethiopian Shortened Lebel Rifles

This video details the evolution of French military repeating rifles, starting with the single-shot Gras 1874 and progressing through early repeating designs like the Kropatschek and Mle 1885. It highlights the French Navy's early adoption of repeaters and the Army's initial resistance due to cost and tactical concerns. The development culminates with the revolutionary Lebel 1886, spurred by the advent of smokeless powder and political pressure, though it was quickly surpassed by later designs.

The 1884 Kropatschek represents a crucial step in French military rifle development, bridging the gap between single-shot and modern repeating arms. Its 8-round tube magazine and cutoff mechanism addressed early concerns about ammunition waste and firepower. Despite its technical advancements, the advent of smokeless powder quickly rendered it obsolete, though it saw service in colonial conflicts and was supplied to Russia during WWI.

This Q&A episode of Forgotten Weapons covers a wide range of firearms topics, from the engineering of modular systems like the Stoner 63 to the historical adoption of the Lebel rifle. Host Ian McCollum discusses the pros and cons of bipods, recommends firearms museums, and explains the design process for firearms. He also touches on ammunition purchasing, the longevity of his channel, and the historical effectiveness of various firearms in conflict zones. The discussion extends to the evolution of firearm safety, the enduring popularity of the 9x19mm cartridge, and the challenges of firearms authorship.

This ARTV preview showcases a behind-the-scenes look at Remington Ammunition manufacturing, detailing the production of 9mm Luger and rifle ammunition like Core-Lokt. It then shifts to a review of the American-made Taurus TX 22 Competition pistol, a semi-automatic chambered in .22 Long Rifle with features like a threaded barrel and optics rail. Finally, the video delves into the historical significance of the French Model 1886 Lebel rifle, the first smokeless powder rifle and France's primary infantry weapon in WWI, highlighting its evolution from single-shot to a tubular magazine-fed repeater. Past episodes are available on americanrifleman.org/artv, with new episodes airing on Outdoor Channel.

The French Lebel 1886 Modifié 93 is an antique bolt-action rifle weighing 9.2 lbs with an overall length of 51.5 inches. It features an 8-round tubular magazine and fires the revolutionary 8mm Lebel smokeless powder cartridge. The rifle's operation, particularly the bolt and sights, requires finesse and is not ideal for rapid close-quarters engagement.

This Q&A episode from C&Rsenal addresses numerous viewer questions about World War I firearms. Key topics include the impact of designers like Ferdinand von Mannlicher on modern firearms, the prevalence of manually operated rapid-fire weapons, the issuance of ammunition in clips versus loose, and which rifles are considered to have overstayed their utility. The discussion also delves into the reasons behind the slow development of automatic arms during WWI, the design of hypothetical WWI rifles, the effectiveness of machine guns like the Maxim, and the prevalence of personal weapons on the battlefield. The hosts also touch upon manufacturing capabilities, the rarity of emergency use rifles in WWI compared to WWII, and the challenges of filming and collecting historical firearms.

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.