Slow Motion: Femaru 37M

This video showcases the Femaru 37M pistol, a historical semi-automatic firearm manufactured by Fémáru, Fegyver- és Gépgyár (FÉG). Keith Ford of Brownells Gun Tech presents this rare U.S. find, highlighting its design by Rudolf Frommer, the last gun he designed before his passing. The 37M served as the standard-issue sidearm for the Hungarian army between 1937 and 1944. The video details its chambering in .380 ACP (9mm Kurz), a unique barrel removal system for field stripping, and its robust construction. Production of approximately 180,000 units, including a .32 ACP variant for the German military during WWII, ceased in 1944. Keith's example is noted as an excellent condition "bring back" from an American G.I.

This review delves into the rare Roth-Theodorovic Krnka prototype pistol, a complex firearm featuring a long recoil operating system and rotating bolt. It highlights unique design elements like an aftermarket grip safety and a removable side plate for easy access to its intricate V-spring fire control group. The pistol's double-action/single-action trigger and internal 10-round magazine fed by stripper clips showcase its advanced engineering for its era.

The Frommer 1901 is a large, long-recoil pistol designed by Rudolf Frommer, featuring a rotating bolt and an integral 10-round magazine fed by stripper clips. Chambered in 8mm Roth, it was submitted for US military trials in 1904 but ultimately rejected due to its caliber, feeding mechanism, and lack of a clear empty-chamber indicator. Its complex design includes two separate recoil springs and a unique disassembly process.

The Frommer Stop (1912) is a unique pistol employing a long recoil action, a complex mechanism where the bolt and barrel lock and travel rearward together. High-speed footage reveals the intricate firing cycle, including the barrel's forward movement for ejection and the bolt's subsequent return. This Austro-Hungarian design, featuring a 3-lug rotating bolt, offers a comfortable shooting experience despite its uncommon action.

The Frommer 1910 is a unique Hungarian automatic pistol designed by Rudolf Frommer, featuring a complex long recoil system and a rotating bolt. Despite its advanced mechanics for the era, its 7.65mm Frommer cartridge was underpowered, making the system overkill. The design evolved from earlier models, gaining a grip safety and detachable magazine, but retains some safety concerns like the difficult grip safety and lack of a hammer block.

This video segment from "I Have This Old Gun" features an examination of the Femaru 37M, a Hungarian pistol from the World War II era. The content focuses on showcasing and discussing this historical firearm.

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.