Steyr 1893 Gas-Seal Trials Revolver

This review details the unique Mexican contract Pieper Revolving Carbine, a gas-seal model chambered in 8mm proprietary. Key features include a 9-round capacity, a right-swinging cylinder, and distinctive forestock carvings. The example discussed is unshootable due to a botched re-chambering attempt, highlighting a potential pitfall for collectors.

This review delves into the TOZ-36 and TOZ-49, Soviet gas-seal target revolvers developed for competitive shooting. The TOZ-36, introduced in 1962, utilized the 7.62x38mmR Nagant cartridge, while its successor, the TOZ-49 (1975), featured a shorter 26mm variant and an improved ejector. Both revolvers are single-action only and rare in the US due to import restrictions.

The Polish Ng30 Nagant revolver, manufactured by FB Radom, represents a higher quality iteration of the classic Russian 1895 design. Acquired through tooling purchased from Russia in 1928, it was primarily adopted by Polish police and security forces. Notable for its superior finishing and straw-blued small parts, the Ng30 retains the unique gas-seal cylinder mechanism and fires the 7.62x38mmR cartridge.

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.