H&K G11: The Rare Caseless Assault Rifle That Never Was, with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

This entry details the Heckler & Koch G11, a notable West German 'space gun' prototype, through an examination of a wooden mock-up by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson. The analysis covers the G11's design evolution, its innovative caseless ammunition technology (4.73x33mm), and its complex internal mechanism. Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, highlights the historical context and reasons for the project's cancellation, offering high-level insights into a significant piece of firearms history.

This video provides an expert-level deep dive into Heckler & Koch's ambitious G11 project, featuring rare footage from the HK Grey Room. James Williamson, a recognized expert on HK history, details the G11's revolutionary caseless ammunition, hyper-burst fire capability, and its development as a potential M16 replacement. The content highlights the weapon's advanced design, rigorous testing, and the reasons for its eventual cancellation, offering significant insights for firearms enthusiasts and historians.

This entry details the Heckler & Koch G11, a revolutionary rifle chambered in 4.73x33mm caseless ammunition. Expert Ian McCollum highlights its advanced rotating chamber action, impressive fire rates (2000 rpm burst, 600 rpm auto), and unique charging handle. Despite its advanced design and German military certification, the program was cancelled post-reunification.

This Q&A video from Forgotten Weapons addresses several firearms-related questions. Topics include the Heckler & Koch G11 and the challenges of caseless ammunition, the historical precedence of detachable magazines over clips, the operational use of Japanese knee mortars, preferred Civil War cavalry carbines, early aircraft machine gun synchronization systems, the 'ridiculous' Cobra Terminator shotgun, differences between the Owen and F1 submachine guns, and beginner firearm recommendations. The host, Ian, provides historical context and technical insights based on his expertise.

This video explores experimental caseless ammunition, contrasting it with standard 7.62x39mm rounds fired from a Zastava Z92. The expert demonstrates the functionality of traditional ammunition while highlighting the unique, non-mass-produced nature of the $35 caseless round, featuring electronic ignition and compacted propellant. It offers insights into why caseless ammunition hasn't become mainstream.

This entry details the rare Volcanic 'Rocket Ball' cartridges, a precursor to modern metallic cartridges. Expert Ian McCollum explains their unique caseless design, internal construction, historical context, and significant value. The information highlights the limitations of early self-contained ammunition and its manufacturing lineage.

Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries present a challenge to find three unique firearms based on appearance, mechanical oddity, and historical impact. They showcase experimental and rare pieces like the Charlton Automatic Rifle, Sterling 7.62mm prototype, Schwarzlose Model 1898, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol, an SA80 prototype, and a BSA Machine Carbine, highlighting their unusual mechanisms and limited adoption.

This entry details the Knight's Armament KS-1 (L403A1), the British Army's new Alternative Individual Weapon, adopted under Project Hunter. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides an in-depth look at its features, intended use for specialized units, and its role in supplementing existing platforms like the SA80.

This guide details the process of arming an 11th-century Norman knight, as explained by an institutional expert from the Royal Armouries. It covers the sequence of donning essential protective gear, including padded undergarments, a mail hauberk, a nasal helmet, and a kite shield, emphasizing weight distribution and historical construction techniques.

This guide details the installation and operation of the Harston's Patent Mark IV magazine, a rare modification designed to convert the single-shot Martini-Henry rifle into a repeater. Expert Jonathan Ferguson explains the mechanism, its inventor Captain Charles Gravelle Harston, and the historical context of its development. The guide covers fitting the magazine, the cycling process for feeding rounds, and the use of the cutoff device for single-shot operation, while also noting potential reliability issues and the high conversion cost.