Select-fire Rifles
French FAMAS F1
The FAMAS was one of the first mass-produced bullpup rifles, and as a forerunner in the area, it shows a number of interesting features, both good and bad. The FAMAS spent 9 years in development, […]
France
Semiauto pistol
Clair Automatic Pistol
The French Clair pistol of 1893 is one of the lesser known and least documented early automatic pistols, and unusual in its method of operation as well. The majority of the successful early automatics (the […]
Book review
Book Review: The Parabellum is Back!
The final chapter in our continuing Luger series is today’s book, The Parabellum is Back! While Sturgess’ three-volume encyclopedia covers the pistol through 1918 and Simson Lugers takes us through Weimar, that leaves a lot […]
Light MGs
Mle 24/29 Chatellerault
Our friend Joe had the opportunity not too long ago to take out a French Mle 1924/29 Chatellerault light machine gun for test firing. The 24/29 is a quite nice LMG that is definitely under-appreciated. […]
Vintage photo
Vintage Saturday: Resistance in Style
This is a pretty well-known photo, but damn if it isn’t a good one.
Semiauto Rifles
French RSC Modele 1917 selfloading rifle
The French government had run a series of semiautomatic rifle trials in 1913 and had several designs with a lot of potential, like the A6 Meunier. In fact, most of the designs had dropped the […]
Aircraft MGs
Hotchkiss Aerial Gun
We came across an interesting manual (in English, as a bonus!) for a variety of Hotchkiss machine gun which we have very little information on. It’s an aircraft gun, intended for use by the observer […]
Handgun
Spanish Eibar/Ruby Pistols
Back at the beginning of the 20th century, Spain had a significant number of relatively small gunmaking shops throughout its northern Basque area. The area has been known for its metalworking resources and prowess for […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Turkish Orman Carbine Video
A couple weeks ago I mentioned that I’d picked up a neat new addition to my collection – a Turkish “Orman” carbine made from a French Berthier rifle. During WWII, the Turkish government wound up […]
Vintage photo
Vintage Saturday: Worst-Smelling Pillbox Evar
The gun is a Modele 1931 “Reibel” – basically a Chatellerault 24/29 converted for vehicle and fortification use. Photo provided by Max Popenker – thanks Max!