Passler Model 1887 Ring Trigger Pistol - Now With Mannlicher Clips!

The Schulhof Model 1887 is a rare, manually operated pistol from a transitional period in firearm design. It features a unique six-round rotary magazine and a ring trigger mechanism for cycling the action. Despite its innovative design, including what may be the first rimless pistol cartridge, it failed commercially due to complexity and cost.

The Reiger Model 1889 is a rare Austrian pistol featuring a unique quick-change 6-shot sheet metal clip that functions like a detachable revolver cylinder. Its design, based on the Passler action, incorporates a brass frame, ring trigger, and a rotating bolt for rapid firing. Only two examples are known to exist, likely trialed by the French military.

This review delves into the rare 1907 French C6 Chauchat prototype, a long-recoil semi-automatic rifle developed as part of France's early attempts to adopt self-loading military arms. Despite its innovative design, including a unique 7x59mm rimless cartridge and a 31-inch barrel for volley fire, the rifle faced adoption barriers due to mechanical complexity, high cost, and the onset of WWI. Trials revealed a 3.77% malfunction rate, contributing to its eventual rejection in favor of bolt-action designs.

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.