Forgotten Weapons

Get Entered to WIN this legendary Artillery Luger rig! https://go.getenteredtowin.com/forgottenweapons DEADLINE to ENTER is 07/28/23 @ 11:59pm (PST). Today I'm taking an original (made in 1918) Artillery Luger rig out to a 6-stage USPSA match. I'm entered in PCC (pistol-caliber carbine) division using the detachable shoulder stock (note that this is exempted from the NFA, so it does not need to be registered) and the snail drum magazine. Happily, the ensemble ran virtually flawlessly through the whole match! Even better, I actually did reasonably well - certainly better than I had been expecting. https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com The Schultz & Larsen company in Otterup, Denmark was a venture formed by a gunsmithing shop and a very successful target shooter to make precision rifles. In 1919, they are able to purchase a bunch of German arsenal tooling for pennies because of the Treaty of Versailles. They made a number of rifles, both military and sporting, in the 1920s and 1930s. In the aftermath of World War Two, they turned to using surplus German K98k rifles as the basis for hunting and precision sporting rifles. They make a series of different models (1952, 1958, and ultimately 1969) with various improved features. The model 1969 is the final version, which uses a German bolt and receiver fitted with a heavy new barrel (typically in 6.5x55mm), a new stock with a significant pistol grip (similar to the Swedish CG63), a very nice Danish target trigger, and a set of precision aperture sights. The rifles were a staple of Danish competition shooters for several decades. Thanks to the Southern Iceland Shooting Association for helping me film this and other cool guns in Iceland! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com While helping to unpack a new shipment of French rifles at IO Inc / Royal Tiger Imports, I came across several examples of Berthiers that were modified to not use clips. There were a couple different ways the Ethiopian gunsmiths did this, so let's have a look... Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com The Kresimir is honestly the most bonkers weapon I have come across in a long while. Made by IM Metall in Croatia at the beginning of the Croatian Homeland War circa 1991, this is a semiautomatic grenade launcher. Most grenade launchers fire a big cartridge with an explosive warhead, but not this thing. Instead, it uses a 5-round magazine of M50 hand grenades with percussion fuses. A second magazine holds 7.62x39mm grenade-launching blank cartridges. Pulling the trigger drops two strikers in succession; first one to ignite the hand grenade fuse, and then one to fire the launching cartridge. What could possibly go wrong? When you do fire, the recoil cycles the whole barrel and bolt backwards like a long recoil action, although it appears to be blowback and not locked. This loaded a fresh grenade in the barrel and leaves it ready to fire again with the next trigger pull. We don't know how many of these insane creations were actually made, but I have multiple reports of their actual wartime use from veterans of the conflict. Thanks to the Sisak Municipal Museum for giving me access to film this! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com I was first introduced to the Tinck Arms Perun X16 at Lynx Brutality 2022 in Slovenia, and it is an interesting system emphasizing modularity and simple disassembly. I opted to use one (a 5.56mm carbine) at Lynx Brutality 2023 this year, and it ran perfectly for me. So I figured we should take a look at the version that is available in the US. The US distributor is AEA Arms. and they offer both complete guns and also upper assemblies. For the complete guns, they adapt Kaiser USA polymer lowers (which is pretty easy). What I have today to look at is a "PDW" variant - a 7.5" barrel in .300 Blackout, with a Riflespeed adjustable gas block. Predictably, it also ran without any problems... Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

"Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016" is in stock and shipping now: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/purchase The rarest pattern of factory-made Chassepot is the fusil modèle 1866 pour la cavalerie d'afrique - the Model 1866 rifle for African cavalry. Just 12,000 of these were made by St Etienne in the spring of 1869, as a way to equip the mounted French troops in Algeria with the new needlefire rifle that the rest of the Army had. After some field testing with standard Mle 1866 Chassepot rifles, it was determined that really all they needed was a change in sling position, so that riders could carry the weapon slung diagonally across the back. To do this, a number of changes were made to the rifle. The stock was strengthened, reinforced at the trigger guard, the rear sling swivel moved to the trigger guard, and a wider third barrel band added with the front sling swivel. After the Mle 1866 cavalry carbine went into production in 1870, the need for these specialized rifles disappeared. No more were made, and as they were worn out they were rebuilt into standard configuration Mle 1866 infantry rifles. Very, very few survive today, and I'm and very excited to have this one to show you! https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

Get Entered to WIN this original Artillery Luger rig! https://go.getenteredtowin.com/forgottenweapons DEADLINE to ENTER is 07/28/23 @ 11:59pm (PST). The Lange Pistole 08 (long pistol), or Artillery Luger as it is commonly known today, has an interesting history. It was originally developed as a personal defense weapon for German field artillery and air crews. While the foot artillery had been issued carbines, the field artillery were mounted and highly mobile, and needed something smaller than a carbine. The LP08 was to replace remarkably old black powder 1879 and 1883 Reichsrevolvers for them. With its detachable shoulder stock, it could serve as a handgun or a faux carbine. The LP08 was adopted in 1913, but significant production wasn't pushed until World War One began, and deliveries took some time to really get moving. About the time substantial numbers were able to be issued to new artillery units, troops in the trenches were recognizing just how well-suited the weapon was to the patrols and trench raids of the static warfare of northern France. In 1916 a drum magazine with a 32 round capacity was designed for the LP08, using Freidrich Blum's patent originally intended for an aviator's drum magazine for the Mondragon rifle. With a stock and drum, the LP08 was arguably the single best existing weapon for close-quarters fighting. Incidentally, a fully automatic version of the Luger was tested (mostly for air crews) but rejected because its rate of fire was simply too high to be practical. In February 1918, a German High Command order first used the word "sturm" in an assault context, describing elite "sturmkompagnies" that were to be issued artillery Lugers and drums for close combat. These would be replaced late that year by new submachine guns (the MP-18,I) as they became available, but the LP08 was the original specialty weapon of the Sturmtruppen. What I find doubly interesting is that this sort of story would repeat itself many times over the following century. A light and handy weapon was developed for rear echelon or support troops, and became embraced by elite special forces, often to the exclusion of its original intended users. Notable examples that come to mind are the MP7, P90, and M1 Carbine. https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com The Springfield Echelon pistol was released today, and it's a significant step forward for Croatian manufacturer HS Produkt. In an effort to appeal to new military and police tenders as well as introduce a forward-looking new design, the company has brought out a pistol based on a serialized chassis like that of the SIG P365 and P320. HS Produkt recognized that their previous design (the XD and XD-M in the US and the HS2000 and HS9 in Europe) was falling behind. Its grip safety was getting it rejected from a lot of major tenders, but rather than just made a new versions without that element, they chose to move to a whole new platform. Work began about 2 years ago, and it is now ready for market. For now, the Echelon is available only in this basic configuration, although that does include a lot of premium features - light rail, ambi controls, tritium front sight, and an optics mounting plate. A threaded barrel is also available separately. In the future, I have no doubt we will see a wide variety of other configurations from subcompact to oversize competition models - that is one of the core strengths of the chassis system, after all. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com SKM was a small industrial manufacturing company in Croatia that began making submachine guns in 1991 to equip Croatian fighters in the Homeland War. Their product was the M91 Crogar, which is a selective-fire, open bolt SMG chambered for 7.62mm Tokarev. It uses the magazine from the Yugoslav M56 SMG, along with its rotating bolt handle feature as a safety mechanism. The bolt and recoil spring are based on the MP40, and a folding stock inspired by the side-folding AKs made in Poland, Romania, and Hungary. Total production quantity is not known, but was not more than a few hundred at most. The build quality on these guns was quite good, and they were reportedly well liked by those who got them. A big thanks to the Croatian Police Museum (Muzej Policije) in Zagreb for giving me access to film this rare piece for you! Check them out at: https://muzej-policije.gov.hr Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com We took a look at both of these guns individually this past week, and now it's time to try them both out on the clock... While I like the Bernardelli quite a lot, it had a couple malfunctions and my pistol shooting was just not up to the challenge of this month's stages (particularly Stage 1). The rifle ran perfectly for me, and I was very happy at my ability make the longer-ranged hits offhand with iron sights. I still ended up clobbered in the scores, but it was a fun match! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com While the Italian military did adopt the AR-70, it did not actually issue them to all troops. Most continued to use the 7.62mm BM-59 until 1990 when the Beretta AR-70/90 was adopted. This rifle was a substantial rework and improvement of the AR-70, using AR-pattern magazines and a 1:7" twist barrel to run the SS109 62gr ammunition chosen as the new NATO standard in 1981. The 70/90 also added a 2-position gas regulator to the design, while carrying over the folding bipod and grenade launching capabilities of its predecessor. The AR-70/90 was made in semiautomatic from by Beretta for the civilian market, but only after US regulation prohibited its importation. As a result, these rifles were essentially nonexistent in the US until a few years ago, when a number of cut-up parts kits were imported. Several small shops set up to make them into semiautomatic rifles with new US-made receivers, including Brimstone Arms, who made this one for me. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Bernardelli is (was) an Italian firearms manufacturer in the Val Tromp dating back to the 1600s...but whom few people have ever heard of. They produced 1889 Bodeo revolvers between the World Wars, and after World War Two they had a line of pocket pistols that were never particular popular or respectable in the US. In 1982, the company released the P018, its effort to create a military and police service pistol. On paper, it was basically completely average for the time. It used a Browning tilting-barrel system, DA/SA firing mechanism, right-handed manual safety and magazine release, steel frame, and double-stack 15-round magazines. It was quite well made, and worked very well. It just never managed to be at the right place and the right time, and was never adopted by any organizations of significance. A series of pistols followed the original P018, including the P018 Compact, P018S (this example; with a decoder and simple plastic grips), P.ONE regular, P.ONE Compact, and VB Practical (and IPSC competition model). Early models were offered in 7.65mm Parabellum (for maximum hipster points), 9mm Parabellum (for normal people), and 9x21mm (for the Italian civilian market). With the P.ONE, .40 S&W was also added to the offerings. None were bad guns, but none were commercial successful and only a few thousand of all types were made before production ceased in the 1990s. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Note: Some explicit language in this video. I am honored today to have a chance to interview Neil Vermillion about his experiences in Iraq, Kurdistan, and Ukraine. Neil is a US Army veteran (2002-2006) who served contracts in Kurdistan (2016) and Ukraine (2022) for the nonprofit PMC Sons of Liberty International. In Kurdistan he was a volunteer training and fighting with a group of Kurds around Erbil and Mosul. In Ukraine, he trained Ukrainian snipers and other troops. Today we are going to discuss everything from motivations to field food to the best tourist spots in scenic northern Iraq... 0:00:38 - Neil's basic background 0:01:31 - What was he paid and why did he go to these places? 0:10:28 - Weirdest or most obscure small arm he saw in combat 0:11:44 - How does his experience compare to Internet forum advice? 0:13:55 - Popular misconceptions about military weapons? 0:14:47 - What surprised you about Russians? 0:17:04 - How prevalent are the oddball guns in Ukraine? 0:18:45 - Kurdish & Ukrainian DShK and AMRs compares to Barrett and M2HB? 0:21:17 - Training quality of Peshmerga & Ukrainians? How do they compare to their enemies? 0:24:49 - Unexpected similarities and differences between the Peshmerga & Ukrainians? 0:26:23 - Use of indirect artillery support? 0:28:58 - How practical are rifle slings, really? 0:31:59 - High-tech gear: asset or liability? 0:34:30 - How does the food compare between US Iraq, Peshmerga, and Ukraine? 0:38:25 - Followup, who do you save first, the medic or the cook? 0:39:18 - Is Ukrainian technological superiority really as big as it seems? 0:40:54 - What would your ideal rifle setup be? 0:42:16 - Followup, thermal vs IR 0:43:54 - Planning and use of supporting fires 0:45:08 - Are Ukrainian commanders using foreign fighters effectively? 0:47:07 - Will competition shooting get you killed in war? 0:49:45 - If you could implement a significant change, what would it be? 0:53:54 - Best tourism spots in northern Iraq? 0:56:56 - Language barriers with locals? 1:00:13 - Competent trains vs war tourists 1:05:26 - Division of time spent on the lines, in rear echelon, and on R&R? 1:09:03 - Roadblocks from the US government to this sort of volunteering? 1:13:06 - What did you regret not bringing with you? 1:14:22 - Upgraded Ukrainian Ads - provided by government or bought individually? 1:16:14 - What piece of equipment surprised you the most? 1:18:37 - Logistics compared between US Iraq, Kurdistan, and Ukraine 1:21:26 - Use of RPG-7s today 1:23:33 - Any preconceived notions about Ukraine that changed? 1:28:16 - What is your Arabic forearm tattoo? Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Romania adopted the PKM in 1966, and began manufacturing their own direct copy at Cugir. In the 1990s, the plant designed a model intended for paratroopers, with a shortened barrel and unique side folding stock. Romanian special operations and paratroop units tested them, but declined to purchase any - funding was tight and the breakup of the eastern bloc meant offensive troops like paratroopers were less of priority. A total of only 400 of these guns were made, and all of them sold to export clients. This one is also fitted with a picatinny optics mount a tai-rail handguard made specifically for it by B&T. Thanks to DSA for giving me access to film this one in their reference collection! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO WIN! https://go.getenteredtowin.com/forgottenweapons DEADLINE to ENTER is TONIGHT 06/30/23 @ 11:59pm (PST). Today we are going to take a look at how Private Jackson's sniper rifle is portrayed in Saving Private Ryan. It's a great movie, and I enjoyed it a lot - but this sniper rifle is incorrect in every scene... At the beginning of the film, the rifle is shown as an M1903A4 (which is appropriate) but with a Lyman Alaskan scope (which is wrong). Next, it is shown with interchangeable scopes, the seconds one being an 8x Unertl. While the Unertl was used by Marine Corps snipers, it is not interchangeable with the M1903A4's Weaver M73B1 scope. Just to make it fit on the prop gun, the mounts have to be changed. finally, when it's actually used with the Unertl, the scope does not move like it should, and Jackson tries to change his windage by adjusting the scope's parallax (whoops). https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com In 1927, the Imperial Japanese Army purchased a 105mm field gun from the French company Schneider as a potential replacement for their rather underwhelming Type 14 105mm field gun. The Schneider design was quite good, and the Japanese put it into service in 1932 as the Type 92. It was manufactured in small numbers at the Osaka Arsenal until 1945, with only a few hundred made. Fundamentally, the Japanese realized that a 150mm howitzer had about the same size and weight as a 105mm gun like this one, and the larger howitzer was significantly more useful in the sort of combat the IJA found itself in. This example (and a second one) currently resides in the Vilu Military Museum on Guadalcanal, having been salvaged off Mount Austen after the war. Thanks to War Historian Battlefield Expeditions for including me on their tour of Guadalcanal, where I was able to film this! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

Get Entered to WIN this iconic Remington 1903A4! https://go.getenteredtowin.com/forgottenweapons DEADLINE to ENTER is 06/30/23 @ 11:59pm (PST). Today we are taking the Remington M1903A4 out to the range for some shooting. This was the standard US sniper rifle during World War Two, and I'm curious to see how one actually handles... https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Continuing our look at the French submachine gun designs from the Chatellerault Arsenal, today we have the MAC48 and MAC48LS (lightened and simplified). In the development program that would eventually lead to adoption of the MAT-49, Chatellerault began with a couple of very light delayed blowback designs in 1947 (https://youtu.be/btyGG2wfwoY). When those were rejected, they turned to a style of gun more influenced by the Sten and M3 Grease Gun in 1948. The regular MAC48 used a wooden fixed stock and pistol grip, and was chambered for 9x19mm, using MP40 magazines (France did not have its own standard 9mm SMG magazine at this point, and MP40 magazines were plentiful). The bolt is clearly derived from a Sten, and the gun is heavier than the 1947 models but also much less complex. A second pattern was the MAC48LS, a lighter and even simpler version of the design. This used a removable cover at the rear of the receiver for disassembly, and replaced the wooden stock with a telescoping wire stock like the American M3. It also brought back the folding magazine well, which the MAC48 did not have. This pattern is starting to get fairly close to the final design that was adopted (although it would be a Tulle design, not a Chatellerault one). There were a few other variations on the MAC48 pattern, including a long barreled one with a bipod, and a version with twin triggers to allow semiauto fire - unfortunately we don't have access to either of those today. Many thanks to the French IRCGN (Criminal Research Institute of the National Gendarmerie) for generously giving me access to film these unique specimens for you! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com It's time for Lynx Brutality 2023! Polenar Tactical presented this match again at the Lynx Pro Training Center in Slovenia, and they outdid themselves. It was a really excellent match, with both great physical challenges and good shooting challenges, well run and with a group of shooters who were uniformly fun and friendly. I ran this year with a low-profile sort of rig - Varusteleka's new Low Visibility Plate Carrier, elastic cummerbund magazine pouches, an Arex Delta L pistol borrowed form Polenar and a Rerun X16 rifle borrowed form Tinck Arms (its manufacturer). Both guns ran perfectly, I am happy to report, using Sellier & Bellot ammo. The first five stages today include Electric Boogaloo, which is seriously in the running for best Brutality match stage yet... :) Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com The MG 08/18 was developed at the very end of World War One as a lighter alternative to the MG 08/15. It used an air-cooled barrel, and between not needing water and having lighter parts it managed to be about 6 pounds less weight than the 08/15. Only a few hundred appear to have been produced before the end of the war, and they were not used by the German military during the Weimar era (the Mg 08/15 was). The 08/18 barrel jacket served as the basis for the MG34 barrel shroud, interestingly. Thanks to Limex for giving me access to this very rare gun to film for you! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com The Finns developed several difference scopes rifles in the 1930s, but none were made in large quantities, and they were not really much used during the Winter War or Continuation War. The first post-war consideration was given to a new model in 1954, but that led instead to a decision to make a competition version of the M28 rifle using nice diopter sights; the M28/57. These were later modified by cutting down their stocks to be better biathlon rifles...up until international biathlon moved form full power cartridges to .22 rimfire. In the mid 1960s, Valmet's planned semiauto 7.62x54R sniper rifle on the AK platform failed - it was far too inaccurate. Left in a bit of a lurch, the Army took the M28/57 setup and applied it to the M27 Army rifles, and the resulting M27/66 was an interim sniper rifle, as well as being the standard Army rifle for formal marksmanship competitions. These were supplemented by the old M28/57 rifles, which were rebuilt with new stocks as the M28/76 - which is what we are looking at today. Ultimately, these were all replaced by the TKIV-85 proper sniper's rifle in the 1980s. Most M28/76 rifles were made with just diopter sights; only a small number were given scope bases as well. In addition, about 10% were made with left-handed stocks, and I am very lucky to have found an example with both of those features! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com Star introduced their first compact tilting-barrel pistol (the Model D) in 1922. The Spanish military was interested in something along these lines, but the Model D was intended to be a civilian pocket-carry gun, and was just too small for military use. What was needed was something still compact, but with a full-size grip - a gun that could serve as a pilot's emergency pistol, for instance. Star developed this as the Model S, still chambered for the .380ACP cartridge, but with an 8-round capacity. The Model S was introduced in 1935, but the Spanish Civil War the next year prevented production from really beginning until 1939. The Model S at that point does get a lot of Spanish military and police interest, including a contract from the Spanish Air Force, which this pistol is an example of (manufactured in 1945). They were purchased by a number of foreign militaries as well, and served with Spanish police forces into the 1990s - despite most people thinking they were just a civilian pistol. Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com In the early 1970s, Poland wanted to replace their 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifles. The Soviet Union was developing the 5.45mm AK-74, but the Poles wanted to make a more ambitious advance in small arms systems. They launched Project Lantan (Polish small arms programs were code named after minerals and periodic table elements). The plan was to create a modular system similar in concept to the Stoner 63 - a single universal receiver that could be fitted with different components to create variety of weapons. These could include a short carbine, infantry rifle, mag-fed light machine gun, squad automatic, or vehicular machine gun (fired by spade grips or remote solenoid). The cartridge developed for the rifle was an indigenous 7x41mm round that was longer and more efficient than 7.62x39mm. Two prototype rifles were built, and courtesy of Works 11 in Katowice, Poland we have a chance to take a close look at number 1. Unfortunately its experimental foam/rubber stock has completely disintegrated in the past 50 years since it was built, but the rest of the rifle is intact. It features separate upper and lower receivers and a quick-change barrel and gas tube. Once the Soviet Union found out about the project, they forced it to be cancelled. The Soviets wanted caliber commonality within the Warsaw Pact, and they also wanted to collect a license fee from Poland for the AK-74 and 5.45x39mm cartridge. In this they were only partially successful, as the Poles reverse engineered elements of the AK-74 to create their own unique Tantal rifle design instead of licensing the new Kalashnikov. But even so, the Lantan project was squashed before it could advance beyond two initial proof of concept rifles. Thanks to Works 11 and all my other friends in Poland who helped arrange access to this fascinating rifle! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com During the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese government helped smuggle arms to potential revolutionaries in Russia, in hopes of provoking a domestic crisis that would divert Russia military force form the war. This included a plot to buy many thousands of surplus Vetterli rifles (as well as C96 Mausers, Webley revolvers, and a few other odds and ends) and ship them to St Petersburg. The Japanese provided the freighter SS John Grafton , and it loaded up the weapons in Copenhagen. The first plan was to unload a few guns in Helsinki and take the rest to St Petersburg; this was scrapped when the ships intended to help unload failed to appear at the scheduled rendezvous. A new plan was formed to drop all the guns in Finland, and the Grafton headed north into the Gulf of Bothnia. When it went to start unloading at Pietarsaari, it ran aground and became stuck. Worried about the response of Russian security forces, a small fraction of the guns were unloaded and then the ship scuttled. In a rare true example of a "tragic boating accident", a number of local divers spent several nights covertly bringing guns up form the wreck, including the example we have to see today. Ultimately there was no revolt against the Russian government in 1905, and the Vetterli saw at most very limited use in the eventual 1917 war for Finnish independence. They were not used by the military or the Civil Guard, and mostly became civilian hunting rifles. The Mauser pistols and Webley revolvers did see more fighting, though, as they were more modern and their ammunition more readily available. Thanks to the viewer in Finland who loaned me this very cool rifle to film for you! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740

https://utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/ http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com When the Slovenian Army decided to adopt a new infantry rifle in the mid-2000s, the Arex Defense company decided to submit the F-2000 into the trials. The H&K G36 was widely expected to be the winner, but Arex had already been involved in making F2000 parts as a subcontractor for FN, and wanted a chance at a domestic-production rifle for Slovenia. The one major hurdle was that the Army tender required the rifle to have a carry handle, which the F2000 does not. At the request of Arex, FN agreed to design a version of the rifle with such a feature, but balked at the extremely tight time frame required. So instead, Arex made their own new upper receiver for the F2000, with an elevated picatinny optics rail and a carry handle beneath. This was entered into the rifle trials and ended up winning. A contract for 6500 of the guns was issued, and they were delivered in 2006-2007. The final design was designated the F2000S by FN (not to be confused with the civilian-sale semiautomatic FS2000). Thanks to Arex Defense for giving me access to this rifle to film, and thanks to Polenar Tactical for hosting me in Slovenia! Contact: Forgotten Weapons 6281 N. Oracle 36270 Tucson, AZ 85740