Machine Guns - Forgotten Weapons

Vintage Saturday: Brown Water Navy

April 13, 2013 Ian McCollum 19

Thanks to Beryl Barnett for the photo – the label on the back reads (translated from German): Flemish channels under the protection of the German Navy. Fast and armed boats are employed, which provide the […]

Croatian Šokac SMG

April 10, 2013 Ian McCollum 36

Today’s gun was made quite recently, but also pretty obscure – I had not heard of it until Michael Heidler sent us this description and set of photos: Improvised firearms and mines dominated the early […]

Vintage Saturday: Unsure

April 6, 2013 Ian McCollum 17

Forcemen of 5-2, First Special Service Force, with an M1941 Johnson light machine gun on the Anzio beachhead, Italy, April 1944. They are in the process of disassembling (or reassembling) the gun. Thanks to Michael […]

Book Review: Mr. Gatling’s Terrible Marvel

April 4, 2013 Ian McCollum 16

I hate to perpetuate stereotypes, but this is a case where there is more than a kernel of truth to one. The unfortunate subject is Julia Keller, author of Mr. Gatling’s Terrible Marvel, and she […]

Vintage Saturday: The Owen Gun Dance

March 30, 2013 Ian McCollum 37

Thanks to Mike S. for the photo!

Additional Photos: Orita

March 27, 2013 Ian McCollum 7

I had a different post planned for today, but Michael Heidler sent me some additional photos of the recently-discussed Orita submachine guns that ought to be shared. They are both of the second model, but […]

The Australian Owen SMG

March 25, 2013 Ian McCollum 43

We shot this video a while back, and it’s not as complete as I would like – but it’s still a good intro to a post on the Australian Owen SMG… (and yes, I misspoke […]

The TZ-45: Italy’s Late-War SMG with a Special Safety

March 22, 2013 Ian McCollum 17

Today’s article is another guest piece from Michael Heidler, author of several very useful books for the collector. This time, he is taking a look at the Italian TZ-45 submachine gun, and it’s unusual implementation […]

Book Review: The Grand Old Lady of No Man’s Land

March 21, 2013 Ian McCollum 17

I got an email from a fellow a few days ago asking if there is a good book out there on the Vickers gun, so I figured it would be a good time to do […]

Romanian Orita SMG

March 20, 2013 Ian McCollum 39

When most folks think of the Axis powers in World War II, they think of Germany, Italy, and Japan. While these were certainly the dominant countries, we shouldn’t let them completely overshadow the smaller countries […]