The Svelte Jenks Navy Carbine of the Mexican-American War

This review delves into the rare System Kuhn single-shot breech-loading rifle from the 1870s/1880s. It highlights the rifle's unique two-trigger system for operation and safety, automatic case ejection, and robust internal mechanism. The analysis covers its 11mm black powder caliber, adjustable target sights, and origin from Besançon, France, suggesting a sporting or target shooting purpose.

The Arcelin Mousqueton was an experimental 1850s French bolt-action breechloader designed for cavalry, utilizing paper cartridges and percussion ignition. Despite its innovative design, it suffered from significant fouling issues due to poor gas obturation, leading to difficult operation and potential breakage. The Cent-Gardes variant featured an unusually large saber bayonet intended for anti-cavalry defense.

The Greene Carbine, patented in 1854, was a complex breech-loading firearm intended for cavalry use. Despite its advanced Maynard tape primer system and unique loading mechanism, both the US and British militaries found it too complex and unreliable. The British contract for 2,000 units, destined for the Cape Mounted Rifles, ultimately failed due to cartridge development issues, leading to most units being scrapped.

The Keen-Walker Carbine, a rare Confederate breech-loader, was produced in 1862 at the Danville Arsenal with only 282 units made. This .54 caliber firearm features a unique pivoting breech block inspired by Perry and Maynard designs. Its limited production and historical significance make it a highly sought-after collector's item, with few surviving today.

This video examines Major Fosbery's prototype breechloading rifle, a contender in the late 1860s British military trials. The design featured a unique vertical flip-block action with an external hammer for cocking and status indication. Despite its innovative mechanism, it placed sixth, with the Martini-Henry ultimately being selected.

This review details the First Pattern 1865 Allin Conversion, the initial Trapdoor Springfield variant. It highlights the post-Civil War need for breech-loading conversions of surplus .58 caliber muzzleloaders. The design by Erskine Allin involved cutting the barrel to insert a breech block, initially using a .58 rimfire cartridge before later models adopted .50 and .45 caliber rounds.

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.