Germany's First Smokeless Carbines: the Kar 88 and Gewehr 91

This review from Forgotten Weapons examines a unique Ethiopian modified Gewehr 88 carbine. The rifle, originally a full-length Gewehr 88 Commission rifle manufactured at the Danzig Arsenal in 1894, features a carbine-length barrel but retains a standard rifle nose cap with a side-mounted bayonet lug. Notable modifications include a turned-down bolt handle and Amharic script on the receiver, indicating Ethiopian origin. The absence of the rear sight suggests a simplified 'point and shoot' configuration, adding to its historical intrigue.

This review examines the Gewehr 88 and Karabiner 88 rifles acquired by Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. These German-made firearms, marked with Amharic script, represent Ethiopia's modernization efforts and successful defense against Italian colonialism, culminating in the decisive Battle of Adwa. The rifles feature the 8x57mm (M/88) caliber and a 5-round en-bloc clip system.

This documentary delves into the history and technical aspects of the German Karabiner 88 and Gewehr 91 rifles. It details their development in response to French advancements, design features incorporating elements from Mauser and Mannlicher, and manufacturing challenges. The video also covers their mechanical operation, range performance, and service history, particularly their use by specialized troops and during WWI.

This video examines a unique Chinese bolt-action M1 Carbine copy from the Civil War era. It highlights the rifle's 'Chinese flair,' including spurious 'Waffenfab Oberndorf' markings mimicking German Mauser designs. The bolt mechanism is revealed to be based on the German Gewehr 88, not the original M1 Carbine's gas system. Modifications like open-notch sights and a dowel rod replacing the oiler cap are also noted.

This review details the extremely rare Afghan contract Schlegelmilch carbine, a unique bolt-action rifle produced for Afghanistan's Kabul Arsenal. It highlights Louis Schlegelmilch's innovative bolt design, originally intended for German military trials, adapted with a Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip system. The carbine features tool-less field stripping and a receiver marking the 'Mosque' crest of Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, dated 1321 Hijri (1903).

The Schlegemilch Model 1896 was a German trials rifle designed by Louis Schlegemilch to replace the Gewehr 88, ultimately losing to the Mauser 98. It featured a unique bolt shroud, a cock-on-open action, and was chambered for the 6x58mm cartridge. Despite clever design elements like a quick-release trigger group and dovetailed barrel, it failed trials, possibly due to its designer's association with the problematic Gewehr 88.

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.