This video announces the upcoming book "Forged in Snow: Finnish Small Arms 1917-2025," available via Kickstarter. The book is a comprehensive English-language reference guide for collectors and historians, detailing Finnish-manufactured and modified small arms from pistols to antitank rifles. It covers various models including Ahlberg, Luger, Lahti pistols, different Mosin Nagant variants, Kalashnikov variants (rk/58 to rk/95), submachine guns (Lindelof, Suomi, M44, Jatimatic), light machine guns (LS26, KvKK/62), and bayonets. Each entry provides development history, intended use, variants, production numbers, markings, mechanical operation, and combat history. The book explores Finland's unique military development path, influenced by its history and geopolitical positioning. Author Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons is highlighted.
This YouTube video aims to clarify the distinction between antitank rifles and sniper rifles, debunking the common misconception that they are interchangeable. Leveraging historical context and likely focusing on the characteristics and intended purposes of each firearm type, the content seeks to educate viewers on why these specialized weapons served different roles on the battlefield. The video also incorporates elements of a Q&A format, addressing viewer questions about these historically significant firearms and their associated optics.
This video explores the impressive 20mm Lahti L39 antitank rifle, covering its historical context and showcasing it in action. The Lahti L39, a powerful Finnish anti-materiel rifle from World War II, is highlighted for its significant caliber and historical impact. The content promises a blend of historical information and the visual spectacle of this massive firearm being fired.
This video explores the PTRS-41, a Soviet semi-automatic antitank rifle developed during World War II. It highlights the urgent need for such weapons following the Barbarossa invasion and the contributions of designers Degtyarev and Simonov. The PTRS-41, chambered in the powerful 14.5x114mm cartridge, is contrasted with the single-shot PTRD-41, noting its increased firepower but longer production time. The video mentions the weapon's service throughout the war, its post-war storage, and its occasional appearance even today. It also connects the PTRS-41 to the development of Simonov's later SKS rifle, noting the SKS's lineage from this powerful antitank platform. Access to a rare PTRS-41 was provided by the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.
This video explains why antitank rifles were not typically used as sniper rifles, despite their powerful calibers and the common misconception. It addresses the question of fitting them with telescopic sights and clarifies that their design and intended roles differed significantly from dedicated sniper rifles. The video also touches upon the M2 Browning and Carlos Hathcock's use of a scoped machine gun, differentiating it from the antitank rifle discussion.
This video delves into the Swiss Tankbuchse 41 (TB-41), a 24x139mm semi-automatic anti-tank rifle developed by Adolph Furrer for Waffenfabrik Bern. Originally intended for light tanks, the TB-41 featured a short recoil toggle-locked action, similar to Furrer's other designs. It fired both high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds with impressive velocity and penetration capabilities for its time. The rifle was designed for rapid fire, utilizing 6-round magazines that auto-ejected. Despite its advanced design and production of over 3,500 units, the TB-41 never saw combat and was largely relegated to fortress use. The video explores its specifications, operational mechanics, and historical context.
This video from Forgotten Weapons explores the Solothurn S18-1000 20mm cannon and its accompanying wheeled carriage. The description highlights how antitank rifles, despite their substantial firepower, were often cumbersome. The wheeled mount for the S18-1000 was designed to improve transportability, allowing the heavy weapon to be pulled by crew, draft animals, or light vehicles. It featured elevation adjustments and trail arms for recoil management. Although a scarce accessory today, the carriage represented an effort to bring heavy infantry firepower to a more mobile role.
This video delves into the history and mechanics of the Soviet PTRD-41, an iconic World War II antitank rifle. It highlights how the weapon's simple, single-shot, recoil-operated design allowed for rapid production and deployment during the initial stages of the German invasion. The description also mentions the comparable PTRS-41 and the powerful 14.5mm cartridge used by both, detailing the rifle's effectiveness against various hardened targets even after facing more heavily armored tanks.
This video explores a rare prototype Winchester antitank rifle developed in late 1918, in response to the advent of tanks in World War I. The rifle, the only known surviving example, suffered a catastrophic failure during testing, with its receiver cracked in half. The description highlights its unique 1911-style pistol grip bolt handle and its role in the development of the .50 BMG cartridge, with captured German Tankgewehrs serving as the basis for US efforts. The video thanks the Cody Firearms Museum for access.
This video investigates the effectiveness of the German Tankgewehr antitank rifle against British WWI tanks. Developed by Mauser as an emergency measure, the video aims to determine if its 13.2mm AP rounds could penetrate the armor of a British MkIV tank. They replicate the tank's 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm through-hardened steel with AR450 plate and test fire original 1918 German AP ammunition from a captured Tankgewehr at 50 yards. The production highlights contributions from MOA Targets, Arms Heritage Magazine, and Hayes Otoupalik.
This video explores the Carl Gustav m/42, a unique 20mm recoilless antitank rifle developed by the Carl Gustav company. The description highlights its innovative design, which used a recoilless mechanism to reduce felt recoil, allowing for a lighter weapon. It fired solid armor-piercing projectiles at high velocity, capable of penetrating 40mm of armor at 100 meters. The video also touches on its historical context as an early anti-tank weapon, its obsolescence due to increasing tank armor thickness, and its role as a precursor to the later 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle. The description mentions a demonstration of the weapon being fired and links to Patreon and merchandise.
This video discusses the undesignated Winchester .50 BMG semi-automatic antitank rifle developed during World War II. It highlights David Marshall Williams' involvement and the rifle's mechanical features, including its Garand-type rotating bolt and gas tappet short stroke action. The rifle used a 10-round detachable box magazine. Although tested by the Canadian military and performing well, it was never put into production, likely due to the .50 BMG cartridge's diminishing effectiveness against tanks by the war's end. The description also references other Winchester projects like the M1 Carbine and G30 series rifles.
