Post-War Paris Police MAS 38 Variation

The MAT 49-54 Police submachine gun is a specialized variant of the French MAT 49, developed for the Paris Police in 1954. Key modifications include a fixed wooden stock, a significantly longer barrel (365mm vs. 230mm), and a unique dual-trigger system allowing both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. This police variant prioritized accuracy and controlled fire over the extreme compactness of the original military paratrooper model.

This video explores two rare French MAC Model 1947 prototype submachine guns, showcasing their innovative lever-delayed blowback action and unique design features. Despite their advanced mechanics, the prototypes were rejected due to material requirements and ergonomics, with the simpler MAT-49 eventually being adopted. The review highlights the prototypes' lightweight construction, folding magazine well safety, and distinct charging handle mechanisms.

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons demonstrates the MAS 38 submachine gun after successful gunsmithing. The video covers its historical context, unique ergonomics (magazine as grip, angled bolt), and range performance using 7.65mm Longue ammunition. Despite minor feeding issues with vintage magazines and a brief sight confusion, the MAS 38 is shown to have pleasant recoil and functional reliability, highlighting its distinct design for police use under the Vichy government.

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.