Finland's M39 PH Sniper from the Continuation War

This entry details the rare Finnish Civil Guard m/33 Sniper rifle, a highly accurate variant built on the Mosin-Nagant m/28-30 platform. It features a unique, adjustable Zeiss scope mount and was developed for competitive marksmanship. Due to its rarity and combat service, few examples survive today.

This expert-level overview details the Finnish M28 Mosin-Nagant, often called the 'Ski Trooper' rifle. Ian McCollum explains its development as an improvement over the Russian M91, its unique sourcing of parts from international surplus markets, and specific features like SIG barrels and double sling slots. The rifle's complex history, including Austro-Hungarian capture and Italian reparations, is meticulously traced.

This video delves into the history and specifics of the Finnish m/91 pienoiskivääri, a .22 rimfire Mosin Nagant trainer rifle. Developed in the 1920s by the Finnish Defense Forces for cost-effective marksmanship training, these rifles featured barrels converted using the Salerno process or new barrels from Tikkakoski. The video explains their production numbers, their use during World War II, and their eventual sale as surplus. It highlights their scarcity in the United States due to not being sold in bulk to major importers.

This review details Finland's first standard sniper rifle, the m/27PH, a modified Mosin-Nagant. Despite its historical significance, the rifle is critically examined for its poorly designed, heavy Physika prismatic scope with extremely short eye relief. The review highlights the rifle's limited production, logistical issues, and eventual obsolescence in favor of captured Soviet rifles.

This review details the Winchester 1895 rifle, specifically the Russian contract variant chambered in 7.62x54R. It highlights John Browning's final lever-action design and its unique military adoption. The video also covers historical markings from Spanish and Finnish refurbishments, demonstrating its journey through different conflicts and owners.

This video focuses on the Finnish M/39 rifle, also known as "Ukko-Pekka." The description details its historical context, including its development as a compromise between the Finnish Army and White Guard to standardize Mosin-Nagant production. It highlights its derivation from the M/28-30, modifications proposed by the Army, and the incorporation of a semi-pistol grip. The video touches upon production numbers, noting that only 10 were completed by the end of the Winter War, with a significant subsequent production of nearly 100,000 rifles used in the Continuation War. It also mentions late-1960s/early-1970s assembly from leftover parts.

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.