Hopkins & Allen XL Navy Rimfire .38 Service Revolver

The Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 was an ambitious attempt to enter the high-end revolver market, directly challenging the Colt SAA and Smith & Wesson Model 3. Despite its quality construction, influenced by Merwin & Hulbert designs, it failed commercially due to the company's reputation for inexpensive firearms. Production ceased in 1885, making these revolvers rare today.

The Chichester 'Pocket Shotgun' is a rare firearm combining a .38 caliber revolver action with a 28-gauge smoothbore barrel, manufactured by Hopkins & Allen. It features a detachable shoulder stock and a unique eye shield that doubles as a peep sight, protecting the shooter from debris. Factory modifications indicate it was produced as intended, not an aftermarket assembly, though its practical utility was limited, leading to low historical sales.

This review delves into the Merwin & Hulbert revolvers, highlighting their innovative design and superior craftsmanship compared to contemporaries. Key features include a unique twist-and-pull unloading mechanism, exceptional machining tolerances creating a vacuum fit, and decorative engraving applied via pin punches. Despite their quality, the company's downfall stemmed from financial issues and Merwin's death.

This video features a vintage Hopkins & Allen 1895 single-shot rifle chambered in .32-20 caliber. The content likely focuses on the historical aspects, mechanics, and potential performance of this specific firearm model. As a single-shot rifle, it represents an older design in firearm evolution, offering a glimpse into the history of shooting and sporting arms.

The Hopkins & Allen XL-6 is a rare .41 rimfire, 5-shot revolver notable for its early spring-loaded swing-out cylinder, a feature patented by Samuel Hopkins. Unlike other XL models, this design allowed for faster loading and extraction. Despite its advanced mechanism, the high production cost likely limited its market appeal, as Hopkins & Allen primarily targeted the budget firearm segment.

This review details the Hopkins & Allen Model 1889 Mauser, a crucial firearm for Belgium during WWI. It covers the unique contract circumstances, manufacturing challenges faced by Hopkins & Allen, and their eventual bankruptcy and acquisition by Marlin-Rockwell. The video highlights distinctive H&A production details and the rarity of original, unmodified examples due to post-war refurbishments.

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.