This video explores the rare Charlton Automatic Rifle, a unique conversion of a bolt-action firearm to a self-loading rifle. Designed for the New Zealand Home Guard, it allowed the reallocation of Bren guns for active service, serving as an emergency defense weapon against potential Japanese invasion. Despite 1500 being produced, most were destroyed post-war, making surviving examples exceptionally scarce. The video highlights the Royal Armouries' collection and offers resources for further research on the Charlton's manufacture.
This video explores the rare Snabb system designed to convert bolt-action rifles into semi-automatic firearms. It focuses on a specific conversion of a Dutch Mannlicher rifle, patented in 1938. The video details the gas trap mechanism, the unique bolt unlocking system, and the necessitated pistol grip stock. It also notes the rifle was rebarreled to .303 British. The presenter highlights that despite being distinctive, these Snabb conversions are not marked and can be difficult to identify without prior knowledge. The video thanks the Dutch National Military Museum for access.
This video examines the M1915 Howell Automatic Rifle, a unique semi-automatic conversion of the British No1 MkIII Lee-Enfield rifle. The conversion adds a gas piston system to the right side of the barrel, cycling the bolt without modifying the original action. Despite its 'steampunk' appearance, the mechanism is mechanically simple. The added metalwork prevents shooter injury from the moving bolt, and the pistol grip is a necessary adaptation. The Howell also features a 20-round extended magazine. Though offered to the British military in both WWI and WWII, it was never adopted. The video's author found the rifle surprisingly reliable and manageable to shoot, attributing its success to the retained feeding and extraction mechanisms of the SMLE. Recoil was gentle, but the offset sights and awkward handling were noted drawbacks.
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