"Made for the Republic of China": Shanghai Arsenal's FN 1900 Copy

This review examines the Shanghai M1900 Pistol-Carbine, a scaled-up variant of the FN Model 1900 produced in China during the Warlord Era. Unlike many crude copies, these were manufactured with high-quality, interchangeable parts on Western-style production lines. The firearm features a tangent rear sight, a slot for a shoulder stock, and is chambered in .32 ACP, mimicking the prestige of the Mauser C96.

This review covers the Belgian-made FN 1900 carbine, a semi-automatic firearm chambered in .35 Remington. Key features include its 8.8 lbs weight, 41.9-inch length, and a 5-round capacity via stripper clips. The carbine boasts a well-balanced feel, a heavy barrel jacket, a comfortable grip, and a light single-stage trigger. It utilizes a long recoil action, which results in a noticeable kick and locks open on the last round.

This video delves into the fascinating world of Chinese-made copies of the FN Model 1900 pistol, often produced by artisanal makers rather than official arsenals. These firearms exhibit significant variations in grip design, safety levers, and slide cuts, deviating from the original Belgian pattern. A common characteristic is the use of spurious markings, including misspelled brand names like 'Wauser' and 'Browning', intended to inflate their perceived value.

The FN 1900 is highlighted as a revolutionary early semi-automatic pistol, notable for being the first handgun with a slide. It introduced the .32 ACP cartridge and offered accuracy, reliability, and affordability, making it a significant development in concealed carry. While a historical myth links it to WWI, that was the FN 1910; the 1900 remains a valuable collectible for firearm history enthusiasts.

This YouTube video is a short segment from a larger "Primer" episode, focusing on the Belgian FN 1900 Pistol. The description encourages viewers to watch the full episode for more content and provides links to support the creators through Patreon, SubscribeStar, and their online shop for merchandise. It highlights the FN 1900 as the primary subject of this clip.

This expert-level review details a factory-produced Chinese copy of the FN 1900 pistol from the Nanjing Arsenal, dating to the 1920s. The analysis highlights its mechanical similarities to the original FN, unique markings, and historical context within China's Warlord Era. It also points out a specific anomaly in the cocking indicator and discusses the rarity and collectibility of these arsenally produced firearms.

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.