Prototype
Colt 607: The First AR Carbine
The Model 607 was Colt’s first attempt at a carbine version of the AR-15 rifle, shortening both the barrel and stock. The action is identical to a standard AR, but the barrel is only 10 […]
Prototype
Gunsmithing
Story of the Alar: A Simple Student-Made SMG
The Alar is an interesting very rare Croatian domestic SMG. It is called the “Alar” after it’s designer, Stipe Alar. He first came up with the design in 1971 and built one illegally – which […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Prototype Hungarian 33M Bolt Action Rifle
When Hungary separated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War One, it began to slowly rebuild its military equipment. The eventually led to carbine conversions of old M95 rifles using the new 8x56mm rimmed cartridge, […]
Prototype
Chatellerault Experimental SMGs: MAC48 & 48LS
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 […]
Prototype
Project Lantan: Poland Designs a Modular AK in 7x41mm
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 […]
Prototype
Biofire: The First Worthwhile “Smart Gun”?
Note: The New Jersey law that would ban sale of regular guns once “smart guns” were deemed commercially viable is no longer on the books. 0:00 – Introduction 4:12 – Electronic elements 6:50 – User […]
Prototype
Prototype Silenced Sten for Paratroops: the Mk4(S)
The Sten Mk4 was developed experimentally in 1943 for use by British paratroops. It used a remarkably awful folding stock along with a shortened receiver and barrel to make a very compact package – albeit […]
Antiques
Prototype Birdshead Grip S&W No.3 Russian
This revolver appears to be one of the pre-production prototypes S&W made for the Russian No.3 revolver contract. Its frame has been expertly converted to a birdshead style. It handles very nicely, but was apparently […]
Prototype
Roth Theodorovic Prototypes: From Very Awkward to Mostly Ungainly
Today we are going to take a looks at a series of six prototype Roth Theodorovic pistols. These were a design that competed in Austrian pistol trials around the turn of the century, and eventually […]
Prototype
Bechowiec: Polish Teenager Makes a Resistance SMG
The Bechowiec (or Beha) is a fascinating SMG produced in small numbers in southern Poland under German occupation during World War Two. It was made for use by the Bataliony Chłopskie (Peasant Battalions) by a […]