America's First Contract Pistol: North & Cheney Model 1799

This entry details the Kubura Pećanka, a flintlock pistol from the Balkans with Ottoman influence, lasting into WWI. Expert Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries highlights its unique construction, regional style, and surprising longevity due to cultural factors and cost-effectiveness compared to modern firearms.

This video showcases a "Top 10 Barbecue Guns" featuring high-end, visually striking firearms, emphasizing their aesthetic appeal and statement-making potential rather than budget-friendliness. The "barbecue gun" concept refers to a showpiece firearm carried to impress. The selection includes a diverse range from custom 1911s and engraved revolvers to historical flintlocks, paired with premium meats and custom holsters, highlighting craftsmanship and exclusivity.

This expert guide provides an overview of the Model 1808 US Navy Pistol, manufactured by Simeon North. It details the pistol's historical context, design features like the belt hook and bag grip, and its specifications, including caliber and production volume. The guide emphasizes the rarity of original flintlock configurations and highlights key markings for identification.

This comprehensive review of the Sig P226 X5 Legion, conducted by an expert reviewer after a 2000-round endurance test, details its history, evolution, and performance. The video highlights its 1911-like ergonomics, a 2.5lb adjustable single-action trigger, an integrated compensator, and exceptional accuracy, even at 200 yards. Reliability is noted as high, with only one malfunction over 2000 rounds.

This video from Forgotten Weapons discusses several high-value firearms sold at Rock Island Auction. Notably, a rare Norinco Model 313 machine gun fetched $37,375, and a historically significant North & Cheney Model 1799 pistol sold for $63,250. The auction also featured antique rifles and pistols, with prices varying based on rarity and provenance, such as a Boer War Lee-Speed selling for $5,463.

Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries examines a pair of highly unusual percussion pistols with steeply angled, near-vertical grips, often referred to as 'saw handle' grips. These designs, exemplified by the Vassalon brothers' work circa 1855, were driven by the need to accommodate a V-shaped mainspring within the grip, a design paralleled in modern revolvers. The pistols feature precise target sights and 13-groove rifling, suggesting a focus on accuracy, though their small size and short barrels limit their practical range for self-defense. The video also touches on the historical context of pistol design evolution and the potential refinishing of these rare examples.

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.