This video explores the French trials of various 5.56mm rifles in the 1970s, focusing on the FN CAL's attempt to meet the French Army's requirements. While the FN CAL already featured a four-position selector (safe/semi/full/burst), it lacked sufficient grenade launching capability. The video showcases modified FN CAL prototypes equipped with unique grenade launching hardware, as tested alongside competitors like the HK33 and M16. Despite these modifications, the HK33 was ultimately deemed the best performer but politically unacceptable, leading to the FAMAS being chosen. The video touches upon the FN CAL's broader unsuccessful trials and FN's subsequent development of the FNC. Footage was provided by the IRCGN.
This video focuses on a French Infantry Kit, likely showcasing the equipment and firearms associated with historical or modern French military personnel. Given the title, the content will probably delve into the specific weaponry, gear, and potentially uniform components that define such a kit. It aims to inform viewers about the historical or practical aspects of French infantry equipment.
This video explores the history of the 93rd Infantry Division, an African American unit in the US Army during World War I and World War II. It highlights their service under French command in WWI, where they were issued French equipment and earned the nickname "Blue Helmets." The video also touches upon their continued service in WWII and their fight against racial discrimination and Jim Crow laws, with a visit to the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, TX.
This video delves into the fascinating history and civilian appeal of the French Manufrance Mle 1892 revolver. The presenter highlights its adoption by the French Army as a significant upgrade, featuring a swing-out cylinder, simultaneous ejection, and a modern smokeless powder cartridge. The video explains the strong civilian demand, particularly from those serving in French colonies, military reservists, and law enforcement, drawing a parallel to modern interest in new service handguns. It also discusses the widespread civilian production, including copies made in Spain and Belgium, and identifies the specific example as being proofed at St. Etienne and sold by Manufrance, with a note on potential Belgian parts usage to reduce costs.
This video provides a commercial production update for the Scrome J8 scope, originally issued to the French Army for the FR-F2 sniper rifle. Scrome is now producing a limited run of these scopes for civilian collectors, ensuring they are made in France by the same team and to the exact same specifications, including the correct range-finding reticle. Production is scheduled for the fall, with direct shipping from Scrome. Interested individuals are encouraged to email Lte@scrome.fr to join the preorder list. A link to Scrome's official announcement is also provided for further details.
This video delves into the Scrome J8 F1 scope, a modern replacement for the long-serving APX L806 on French FR-F2 sniper rifles. It highlights the J8's domestic origin, Scrome's specialization beyond optics, its fixed 8x40mm magnification, integrated range-finding reticle with BDC holdovers up to 800m, and its historical rarity for collectors. The video also notes Scrome's current production of military-pattern J8 scopes to coincide with surplussed FR-F2 rifles.
This video delves into the French FR-F2 sniper rifle, detailing its history and capabilities. Adopted by the French Army in 1986, the FR-F2 was an evolution of the FR-F1, featuring new 7.62mm NATO barrels, flexible bipods, and thermal sleeves. Approximately 3,500 of the original 6,000 FR-F1 rifles were converted. The rifle served until its replacement by the FN SCAR heavy in 2020, seeing combat in various global conflicts including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali. The video highlights its accuracy and effectiveness as a Cold War-era sniper platform.
This video, titled "Winter Lecture 2 - The heritage of the French Foreign Legion," appears to be a historical lecture focusing on the legacy of the French Foreign Legion. The description emphasizes the Royal Armouries' mission to bring history to life through their collection of arms and armor, suggesting the lecture may touch upon the weaponry and military history associated with the Legion. The Royal Armouries is the UK's national collection and offers various ways to engage with their content, including demonstrations and expert insights.
This video explores the history of Luger pistols assembled and used by the French after World War II. Following their occupation of the Mauser factory in Oberndorf, French troops began producing various firearms, including Lugers, for their own military needs. The video highlights the acceptance of Lugers as front-line handguns by the French Army, their use in early conflicts like Indochina, and their eventual transfer to second-line service and the Gendarmerie, where they remained in use until the 1970s. A batch was also later supplied to the Austrian Army. The content features examination of a 1st type and 3rd type French Luger.
This video from the Royal Armouries delves into the historical events surrounding Operation Dynamo during the Second World War, specifically the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940. It details how British, French, and Belgian troops were trapped by the German army on the coast of France and Belgium, and the crucial role of the Royal Navy in rescuing stranded soldiers by sea. The description also highlights the Royal Armouries' collection of arms and armor, inviting viewers to explore their museum, website, and social media for more content on military history and weaponry.
This video showcases the Star Model 1914 pistol in a backup gun competition. Despite some technical issues with video capture, the pistol itself performed better than expected. The Star Model 1914, a single-action, simple blowback pistol chambered in .32 ACP, was adopted by the French army as a wartime substitute. The competition is designed for compact handguns and revolvers, with stages featuring a dummy gun draw and swap. The presenter achieved a respectable 4th place out of 28 participants, highlighting the gun's reliability even with a century-old magazine.
This video explores the life and military career of Émile Driant, a French army officer and politician who became a hero of the Battle of Verdun. It details his pre-war advocacy for French military readiness, his command of Chausseurs at the Bois de Caures, and his valiant defense against the initial German offensive in 1916. Driant's warnings about Verdun's vulnerability were tragically validated, and his leadership in the face of overwhelming odds cemented his status as a martyr and hero.
