Le Petit Protector Ring Pistol: A Modern Antique

This review examines the Milanese 7mm Pinfire Saber-Revolver, a unique 'tacticool' design from circa 1864 attributed to Carlo Maria Colombo. It combines a Lefaucheux-style pinfire mechanism with an Italian 1855 pattern officer's saber. While historically interesting, its practical utility is questioned due to awkward aiming ergonomics and potential safety issues when fired sheathed.

This review details a rare Pinfire LeMat Grapeshot Revolver, a variant primarily produced for the European market between 1863-1865. Unlike more common percussion models used in the Civil War, this pinfire version features a 9-round cylinder for 12mm cartridges and a unique central shotgun barrel. The design by Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat included a pivoting striker for selecting between barrels and a special segmented slug for grapeshot effect.

The Hall's Patent Clock Gun is a unique 12-gauge pinfire firearm designed to fire a shot hourly to scare birds. Patented in 1902 by John Hall, it features twelve chambers and a clock mechanism with a razor blade to sever strings, triggering the firing sequence. While intended for pest control, it may have also served as an audible time signal.

This video provides an in-depth look at the pinfire revolver system, tracing its origins from Jean Samuel Pauly's early cartridges to Casimir and Eugene Lefaucheux's patented designs. It details the unique side-pin ignition mechanism, its advantages, and critical flaws like accidental discharge. The review highlights the French military adoption of the Lefaucheux 1854 model and explains why the system ultimately became obsolete due to advancements in rimfire and centerfire cartridges and patent issues in the US.

This review details the LeMat revolver as seen in HBO's WestWorld, distinguishing between the show's fictionalized cartridge conversion and original percussion models. It highlights the LeMat's unique 9-shot capacity with an 18-gauge shotgun barrel and discusses the mechanics of modern cartridge conversions, noting Kirst Conversions does not currently offer a LeMat kit. The analysis also points out cinematic liberties taken with the prop's disassembly.

This video explores the Herman Brevete Handlebar Pepperbox, a unique 6-shot, 5mm pinfire revolver designed for concealment in bicycle handlebars. While historically interesting and featuring a clever detachment mechanism, its practicality for modern concealed carry is questioned due to security risks. The firearm utilizes a double-action mechanism and a split central arbor for cylinder removal and ejection.

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.