Matrix Armory is a new gun display system developed by Jeff High (a long-time Forgotten Weapons supporter, incidentally) who wanted something that would really do justice to guns that you want to display and appreciate. The other sorts of display/racking systems out there are much more industrial in style, primarily to store guns. Matrix Armory was designed to make your guns look their best, because nothing is quite as sad as a great gun collection squashed into a safe and never actually seen (assuming one has a secure room for display, naturally).
I have gotten a lot of people asking to see my own personal collection, and so I figured this would be a cool way to do that; showing you some of the highlights of my collection in conjunction with the Matrix Armory wall we installed in my office. I have no financial stake in the product – I think the years of work Jeff has put into it have led to a really nice product that I think will be of interest to some of the folks who read Forgotten Weapons.
Here are links or videos on some of the guns that are in this video:
M1883 Reichsrevolver
Scotti Model X
Troy GAU-5A/A clone in a 2-Gun match
MAC 1950
CETME-L Build series
Hotchkiss Universal
2-Gun with my DSA FAL
Red Oktober Match with my Krinkov
Type 2 Paratrooper Arisaka
Partisan Rifles blog
North China Type 19 Arisaka
That is a phenomenally cool system for displaying firearms. I’ve seen hook/rack systems like that before but they always seemed flimsy and unsecured. This looks solid as a rock. If I ever get the chance to set up a “Gun Room” this is something I’d definitely be interested in! Stuck with Safes for now but I can just imagine my “American Rifles” collection from the 1863 Springfield up to my M4 Clone up on the wall!
You did mention, in the video, having accuracy issues with your Trilux scope. I have one for an L1A1 Clone and have similar issues that I think I’ve got figured out. The mounting bracket that the scope attaches to is secured to a framework via two rivets which is, in turn, spot welded to dust cover. Those rivets, from what I’ve read, have a bad habit of coming loose and, as they are put in place before the framework is welded to the dust cover, they are nearly impossible to replace or re-secure, near as I can tell. This causes the mounting bracket and, as a result, the scope, to wobble about. You may have the same issue with your dust cover/mount assembly.
That all said, it was cool to get a look at more of your collection! Is that the T2 Leader up there above the GAU-5 and the Berthier M16?
Now I just need a secure room to put a display in. Has Jeff thought about making a cabinet with the same system?
OT: wwiiafterwwii has an excellent article on the Mukden Arsenal if you’re a fan on Chinese revolution era Arisakas https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/mukden-arsenal-after-wwii/
There is one rifle right and above GAU-5A which was not mentioned. This display and interpretation says more above the knowledge of Ian as I had it so far. Thanks for sharing.
Looking at the toe of the stock and the pistol grip, I’d say that’s a Leader Dynamics T2 MK5, an oddball rifle if ever one was (and vanishingly rare to boot).
That one was showcased on FW already, I believe. There were some civilian sales in mid 80s, as far as my memory goes.
AR-180. By the sling loop on the grip
They’re UNDER THE GROUND!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcsLaSBWG9k
OK, that clip was perfect.
I must say, if I was a cigar-chomping tycoon, or an oil-soaked, oil-wealthy Stetson-wearing Texan (instead of the last of that list only) with lots of venture capital to throw around, you, Ian sir, would be managing a factory there in AZ cranking out those Hotchkiss SMGs as a sub-carbine… That is very, very cool. I remember the past episode, but little suspected you’d done a “build” of one… Just awesome. Truly.
My collection is rather different… Muzzle-loaders, a rolling block, a Sharps, Garand, carbine, MAS 36, and FSA 49/56, and a wall-full of Mosin-Nagants. Mostly.
Ian, the German 10.6×25mm rimmed cartridge for the Reichsrevolver was an almost direct copy of the .44 Russian. Despite the name the bullet diameter was the same (.43″) and cartridge length and diameter was also the same within manufacturing tolerances of the era. The only difference seems to have been that the 10.6mm was loaded with a slightly heavier bullet (17 grams or 262 grains) for a lower muzzle velocity (about 200 m/sec or 650 fps) than the .44 Russian. Standard historical load was 20 grains of black powder. .44 Russian cases can be used as is, or alternatively trimmed down .44 Special or .44 Magnum cases can be used. Firing .44 Russian loads with 23 grains of black powder is not recommended due to the slightly higher pressure, but has been done by some people without any immediate ill effects.
The only thing that I don’t like is the raw steel hooks.
Would be great to have some polymer encased hooks or maybe a cheap solution would be some black Plastic-dip