Gahendra: the Nepalese Not-A-Martini (Updated)

The British Money-Walker 1868 Trials Rifle featured a unique top-lever falling block action, distinct from contemporary designs. While it performed adequately in speed tests, its failure in the exposure test due to mechanism seizure led to its rejection in favor of the Martini action. The rifle's stock appears to be a repurposed component from an older percussion rifle.

This video explores Britain's first standard military training rifle, the No. 2 Mk IV*, a .22 rimfire conversion of the No. 1 Mk III SMLE. Initially developed in 1883 with the Morris cartridge, Britain transitioned to .22 rimfire trainers after the Boer War. Standardization arrived in 1921 with the 'Rifle, short, .22 inch, RF, Mk IV', later designated Rifle, No2 Mk IV* in 1926. This simple conversion utilized a modified standard bolt and retained the original sights, with conversion charts provided for aiming. These rifles served until the 1950s, particularly in India and Australia.

The Peabody Sidehammer rifle, patented in 1862 by Henry Peabody, features a unique tilting block action with an external side hammer. Despite passing US military trials, it was not adopted domestically but found success internationally, with significant contracts from Spain, Canada, Switzerland, and France. Both rifle and carbine variants were produced, chambered in calibers like .41 Rimfire, .43 Spanish, and .50 Rimfire.

This video focuses on the Mini Martini Cadet firearm chambered in .357 Magnum. It likely explores the features, performance, and potentially the historical significance or unique aspects of this particular rifle or carbine. Given the caliber, the content may also touch upon its application for hunting, plinking, or potentially self-defense scenarios where a larger caliber is desired.

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.