Tarn: A Terrible British WW2 Experimental Pistol

This expert review by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons delves into the Webley No5 Express New Army revolver, highlighting its blend of American power and European double-action design from 1878. The video details its technical specifications, historical context within British military procurement, and comparisons to other contemporary revolvers, offering deep insights for firearms enthusiasts.

This video provides an expert review of experimental Sterling rifles and LMGs, focusing on their design by Frank Waters for Sterling in the 1970s. Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries details their lever-delayed blowback operating system, chambered in 7.62 NATO, and specific features like quick-change barrels and magazine compatibility with L1A1 and L4 Bren magazines. The review highlights the unique open-bolt operation for cooling and compares the LMG and rifle variants.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Japanese Type 97 20mm anti-tank rifle, presented by Joe Ford from the Royal Armouries. The presentation covers its historical context, technical specifications, and a detailed disassembly and reassembly process. The rifle, chambered in 20x124mm, was produced mainly at Kakura Arsenal and served from 1939 to the end of WW2 with limited success, being outclassed by later tank designs. The video highlights its complex recoil system, gas operation, and the manual cocking process.

This review of the Sten Mk5, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, highlights its improvements over earlier Sten models, including better ergonomics with wooden furniture and the adoption of features from the No. 4 Mk1 Enfield rifle. McCollum details its development, combat history, mechanical features, and production figures, positioning it as a refined iteration in the Sten lineage.

This video provides an in-depth review of the Springfield 1903 rifle, highlighting its history, development, and performance. It details the rifle's evolution from its Mauser inspiration, its technical specifications, and its variants like the 1903 A3 and A4. The presenter, Jim Grant, emphasizes the 1903's reliability and accuracy, explaining why it remained in service during WWII despite the M1 Garand's adoption, particularly for specialized roles like sniper platforms and grenade launching.

This review delves into the rare De Lisle Commando Carbine prototype, a suppressed bolt-action rifle developed for specialized WWII commando operations. Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries details its unique .45 ACP caliber choice for subsonic performance, modified Lee-Enfield action for silence, and integral suppressor design with 13 baffles. The discussion covers its origins, prototype vs. production differences, and limited historical usage in conflicts like the Malayan Emergency.

This guide details the specific technique for separating two MAS-36 rifles that have been inadvertently locked together by their bayonets. It outlines the historical context of this issue, the modification made to the bayonet to resolve it, and the step-by-step procedure for disengagement. The technique requires precise alignment and the use of a pointed tool to access the internal release mechanism, as demonstrated by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

This guide details the loading and firing procedure for the M134 Minigun, as explained by Ian McCollum. It covers manual indexing of the barrel cluster, feeding the ammunition belt, engaging controls, and firing. The guide also touches upon the weapon's spin-down inertia and the function of modern clutch systems. Expert instruction from a recognized firearms historian highlights the technical aspects of operating this powerful weapon system.

This guide details the operational features of the H&K G11 K2, a prototype assault rifle known for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt. It covers the selector settings, magazine capacity, integrated optics, and the internal action designed for recoil management during high-rate-of-fire bursts. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the historical context and technical innovations of this advanced firearm.

This guide details the operation of the German L.Gr.W.36 50mm light mortar, as demonstrated by expert Ian McCollum. It covers assembly, leveling procedures, ammunition handling, and live fire execution, emphasizing the difficulty in visually tracking the projectile. The instruction highlights the importance of proper setup for accuracy.