Enjoying Black Powder Episode 9: 1869 Swiss Vetterli

This expert-level review details the rare Lithuanian Model 24L Mauser rifle, a variant of the FN Model 30 built on the Mauser 98 action. The video highlights Lithuania's post-WWI military development, their standardization on 8mm Mauser, and the FN contract that supplied these rifles. It covers specific markings, including the 'Pillars of Gediminas' and 'Ginklu Fondas 1937' inscriptions, and discusses the rifle's historical dispersal after Soviet occupation.

This review of the Madsen Model 1945 submachine gun, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons from the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, highlights its unique design and historical context. The firearm is noted for its quality construction, pistol-like reciprocating slide, and use of Suomi magazines. Despite its advanced features for the time, its complexity and cost led to commercial failure, making it an extremely rare collector's item.

This review details the Maroszek wz.38M, a Polish WW2 battle rifle. Key features include a fixed magazine, a hybrid locking system inspired by the ZB26, and a unique tilting bolt mechanism. The rifle also incorporates a simple muzzle brake and a manual bolt hold-open feature.

This video explores the Beistigui Hermanos MM31, highlighting its position as a leader in machine pistols. The description also includes links to firearms reference books, a Patreon page, a Floatplane channel, and merchandise, suggesting a focus on collectible and historical firearms, likely with in-depth analysis and historical context provided by the "Forgotten Weapons" channel.

The Modele 1886 Lebel is highlighted as the first military rifle to adopt smokeless powder, a significant advancement that dramatically increased firearm range and velocity. Despite French efforts to maintain secrecy, the technology was reverse-engineered by other nations. A design constraint led to a double-tapered cartridge, which proved to be a long-term flaw.

This expert review by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons details the rare Terni Model 1921, an Italian interwar prototype assault rifle. It highlights the rifle's select-fire capability, unique 25-round cube magazine inspired by the Fiat-Revelli M1914, and its 7.35x32mm intermediate cartridge. The analysis covers its short-recoil operation, locking mechanism, and historical context, noting its advanced design for its era.

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.