Shanghai 1900 Pistol-Carbine at the Backup Gun Match

This review examines the Shanghai M1900 Pistol-Carbine, a scaled-up variant of the FN Model 1900 produced in China during the Warlord Era. Unlike many crude copies, these were manufactured with high-quality, interchangeable parts on Western-style production lines. The firearm features a tangent rear sight, a slot for a shoulder stock, and is chambered in .32 ACP, mimicking the prestige of the Mauser C96.

This video announces updates to the "Pistols of the Warlords" Kickstarter campaign, highlighting the addition of Dolf Goldsmith's monograph "Arming the Dragon" as a standalone pledge option. The book, originally planned as softcover, will now be a hardcover due to high demand. Existing pledges for Collector's Editions will receive a hardcover copy of "Arming the Dragon" included for free. The announcement also promotes a final livestream event celebrating the campaign's closing hours, featuring discussions on Chinese firearms and themed cocktails.

This review showcases a rare, customized Volcanic Repeating Arms Company pistol-carbine from the 19th century. It features a 16-inch barrel, a detachable stock, and a unique offset brass telescopic sight with manual adjustments. The firearm utilizes caseless Rocket Ball ammunition and demonstrates innovative design elements for its era, including a rotating barrel for loading and a protective lens cap.

This review delves into a rare Chinese Warlord C96 Carbine produced by the Taku Naval Dockyard. The analysis highlights its historical context, unique manufacturing evolution from ship maintenance to arms production, and distinctive design features. The carbine is noted for its exceptional build quality, suggesting it was intended as a prestige presentation piece rather than standard issue.

This review covers the rare Star Model MMS and Model MB pistol-carbines, produced as late as 1975. It details their history, distinct calibers (7.63mm Mauser for MMS, 9mm Parabellum for MB), and unique features like the T-slot stock attachment. The video highlights production numbers, legal status regarding NFA exemptions, and the complete factory rig.

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.