Armstrong & Taylor Carbine - Too Little Too Late

This episode of 'Enjoying Black Powder' features the 1869 Swiss Vetterli rifle, a high-tech, magazine-fed firearm for its era. The discussion covers its unique hybrid design, the choice of .41 Rimfire caliber, and the practicalities of its operation, including a centerfire conversion for reliability. The hosts demonstrate its loading mechanism, firing characteristics, and conduct a speed test, highlighting its historical significance and operational nuances.

This expert guide details the operation and design of the Ballard .41 Rimfire Derringer, a compact single-shot pistol from the early 1870s. It highlights the tip-up barrel mechanism, the effective cammed extractor, and the pistol's ergonomic design, which favors striking over marksmanship. The guide also touches upon its historical context and ballistics, drawing on the high authority of the presenter.

The Frank Wesson Rimfire Carbine, patented in 1859-1862, featured a unique dual-trigger break-open action for single-shot rimfire cartridges. While originally produced as sporting arms, a military variant in .44 rimfire was adopted by state militias, though its lack of an extractor proved a significant flaw. Despite its light weight and innovative design, the operational difficulty led many soldiers to discard the weapon.

This review examines a collection of James Reid 'My Friend' knuckledusters, including .22, .32, and .41 caliber variants, and a rare revolver. It details Reid's history, the design's dual function as a firearm and impact weapon, production numbers, and the technical operation involving cylinder removal for loading. The video highlights the decline of this design against more modern revolvers.

This video from American Rifleman TV explores the iconic Remington Model 95 Double Derringer. Introduced after the Civil War and chambered in .41 Rimfire, this two-shot pistol was a popular choice for personal defense in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The video highlights its historical significance, often referred to as the 'Elliot Pistol' or 'Double Derringer,' and its association with the cowboy and Old West era, featuring insights from NRA Museum Director Phil Schreier.

The Hopkins & Allen XL-6 is a rare .41 rimfire, 5-shot revolver notable for its early spring-loaded swing-out cylinder, a feature patented by Samuel Hopkins. Unlike other XL models, this design allowed for faster loading and extraction. Despite its advanced mechanism, the high production cost likely limited its market appeal, as Hopkins & Allen primarily targeted the budget firearm segment.

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.