This video delves into the T31, John Garand's experimental bullpup rifle designed in 1948. The rifle featured an unorthodox design, including a pneumatic gas system, a clockwork recoil spring, and a tilting wedge bolt. Initial testing revealed reliability issues due to excessive powder fouling, leading to a redesign with a tappet-style gas system. Only two examples were produced before Garand's retirement. The video highlights the unique nature of this Springfield Armory prototype and thanks the Springfield Armory National Historic Site for access.
This YouTube video explores the Winchester Model D, delving into its origins during World War I and its significance as a precursor to the renowned Model 70 rifle. The content likely features historical context, firearm details, and potentially a close examination of this less commonly known Winchester model. It appeals to enthusiasts interested in the history of firearms and specific rifle designs.
This YouTube video explores the S.R.E.M., an experimental British bullpup sniper rifle developed during World War II. The content delves into its unique design and historical context as a forgotten prototype from British military arms development. The video likely showcases the rifle's features and discusses its potential or actual role within the context of WWII weaponry.
This video delves into the fascinating history and specifics of the Stamm-Saurer Model 1913 Long-Recoil Prototype Rifle. It highlights a unique and likely rare firearm from Switzerland, emphasizing its experimental nature and its place within forgotten weapons history. The content focuses on the physical attributes and background of this prototype rifle, appealing to enthusiasts of historical firearms and unique weapon designs.
This video examines an experimental Gras-Vetterli repeating rifle from the late 19th century, a period when France explored numerous repeating rifle designs. The rifle features a Kropatschek style lifter and tube magazine, combined with a side loading gate similar to the Swiss Vetterli. While the bolt is of the Gras type, the receiver is newly manufactured and not a repurposed Gras receiver. The rifle is marked 'Henry,' hinting at a potential but uncertain connection to New Haven Arms or Winchester. External parts have been restored, but the internal mechanics remain unrestored, with a frozen loader. The exact function of a missing component on the receiver is unknown. The rifle is from the Galerie de Mars reference collection in Paris.
This video explores a fascinating prototype tube-magazine trapdoor Springfield rifle, likely created by Augustine Sheridan Jones in the Dakota Territory during the 1880s. Jones had previously submitted a different magazine-fed Trapdoor to military trials. This particular rifle demonstrates a clever and functional integration of a tube magazine into the existing Trapdoor system, complete with a magazine cutoff that allows for both single-shot and repeating operation. The rifle's origin and the ingenuity of its conversion are highlighted.
This video delves into the Ward-Burton Model 1871, an early experimental bolt-action rifle tested by the U.S. military to replace the Allin conversion. It details the rifle's single-shot design, its unique locking mechanism, and its inventors, Generals William Ward and Bethel Burton. The description highlights the competition against other prominent designs like the Sharps, Trapdoor Springfield, and Remington Rolling Block, noting the Ward-Burton's unfamiliarity to troops due to its internal striker, which contributed to accidental discharges and ultimately prevented its adoption. The video also mentions the .50-70 cartridge and specific units that received the rifles and carbines.
This video delves into the history and development of the Mauser G40k, a German experimental carbine from April 1940. The description highlights the rifle's shortened barrel (490mm or 19.3 inches), intended for specialty troops. It details the limited production run of 28 rifles across two series, noting their serial numbering and the "V" prefix for experimental units. The program was discontinued in 1942, likely due to the availability of Brno-production G33/40 carbines filling the same role. The video aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this rare firearm.
This video showcases rare, end-of-World War II German prototype rifles, specifically the VG1-5, VG1, and VG5, manufactured by Walther and Steyr. These innovative designs never entered full production, likely intended for the Volksturm. The VG1-5 is a semi-automatic rifle resembling automatic variants, while the VG1 and VG5 are described as crude bolt-action rifles. The description also links to related videos about the Walther factory and the use of slave labor.
This video provides an in-depth examination of the SIG AK-53, a highly unusual experimental self-loading rifle developed by SIG. The description details its unique forward-operating barrel system, gas operation, and a reverse feeding magazine. Due to its complexity, only prototypes were ever produced. The video features footage and disassembly of the rifle, with thanks extended to the Royal Armouries for access to this rare firearm.
This video examines the Vickers-Berthier 1919 US Trials Rifle (Second Type), a semi-automatic shoulder rifle developed by Andre Berthier and Vickers. It details the rifle's internal mechanisms, comparing its innovative design to other firearms like the Lewis and FG42. The description highlights its two-piece tilting bolt, fixed firing pin, and clever safety features. Despite its modern internal design for its time, the rifle ultimately failed to be adopted by the US military due to issues with parts breakage and its top-mounted magazine, which was a significant drawback. The video focuses on the history and technical aspects of this experimental firearm.
This video covers Stage 5 and the match conclusion of the IDARM 2018, the Arizona Independence Day Rifle Match. The stage features a "BDSM Chain Stage" where participants have 60 seconds to engage a long-range target from 13 chain positions, followed by another 60 seconds from windows. Hits provide bonuses. The competition showcases unique rifles, including a left-handed G3 and a heavily modified Vz2008 (Vz58) as an experimental build. The description highlights the tradition of the match and its connection to celebrating Independence Day.
