Cold War Belgium: Comparing the Vigneron M1 and M2 SMGs

This review of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons highlights its rarity in the US and compares it to the British Sten gun. McCollum provides insights into its ergonomics, grip safety, firing characteristics, and magazine compatibility. He concludes the Vigneron M2 offers superior sights and control over the Sten, despite some awkwardness in its design.

The Vigneron M2 is a Belgian post-war submachine gun, adopted in 1954 and used extensively by the Belgian military and in Africa. It features a simple blowback action, a collapsible wire stock inspired by the M3 Grease Gun, and a unique cleaning rod integrated into the stock. While its 32-round magazine resembles the MP40's, it is not interchangeable.

This expert guide, presented by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries, details how to differentiate between the Vigneron M1 and M2 submachine guns. Key identification points include variations in the front sight protector, rear sight aperture, and receiver markings. The guide also touches upon the Vigneron's design influences, such as the MP40 magazine and M3 Grease Gun dust cover, and its historical context.

This review examines the rare 9mm Clement Military Pistol prototype from 1914, a blowback-action firearm chambered in 9mm Browning Long. It features a shrouded hammer and a unique magazine release/lanyard loop. The pistol shares similarities with the FN Model 1903 and comes with a comprehensive holster system. Only two examples are known, making it a significant historical artifact.

This review delves into the Belgian GP35 'High Power,' John Browning's final design, completed by Dieudonné Saive. It highlights the evolution from early trials pistols with unique oval ejection ports and tangent sights to later production models. The video also covers the pistol's production under German occupation during WWII and its distinctive features like the shoulder stock slot and early magazine design.

This video from American Rifleman Television explores the history and significance of the Model 1889 Belgian Mauser rifle. Introduced in 1889, it was a groundbreaking military rifle, one of the earliest to utilize smokeless powder and incorporating ingenious design elements that would influence later Mauser models like the 1893 and 1898. The segment highlights how the 1889 Belgian represented a significant advancement over previous German military rifles.

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.