Rifles - Forgotten Weapons

Daniels’ Seven-Shot Smoothbore Turret Musket

October 18, 2021 Ian McCollum 21

There were a surprising number of different revolving rifles produced in the United States in the mid 1800s, including a number of turret rifles like this one. Specifically, we have here a 7-shot, approximately .55 […]

Ians Customs: Left-Handed G3

October 14, 2021 Ian McCollum 30

I used to say that one really common and popular rifle that I really didn’t like was the H&K G3. Well, putting together this rifle for myself really changed my opinion. The roller locking system […]

RK95: Finland’s Ultimate AK

October 13, 2021 Ian McCollum 14

Finland adopted the AK in 7.62x39mm after World War Two, and continues to use the AK to this day. The standard pattern RK62 was starting to fall a bit short, and so in the late […]

A Tour of PGM Precision: Home of the Ultima Ratio and Hecate II

October 12, 2021 Ian McCollum 3

Today, I have the opportunity to take a look inside PGM Precision, in Annecy France. Ever been curious about where the Ultima Ratio and Hecate II come from? Let’s have a look! Note: PGM’s US […]

American Mausers: The Hopkins & Allen Model 1889 for Belgium

October 11, 2021 Ian McCollum 12

When World War One began, German armies roared through Belgium, occupying all but a small corner of the nation. Belgium still had an army to defend that last bit of territory, but it no longer […]

Ethiopian Oddities: Vetterli-Mauser Hybrid (Sort Of)

October 7, 2021 Ian McCollum 16

Today’s Ethiopian Oddity is a rifle that appears to be a Vetterli action with a distinctly Mauser flair. The bolt is styled after the Vetterli system (including rear locking lugs) but has a non-functional Mauser […]

Finnish m/27rv Cavalry Carbine

October 6, 2021 Ian McCollum 5

When the Finnish Army adopted the m/27 improved pattern of the Mosin Nagant rifle, there was one group of soldiers who were not really satisfied with it. Finland had a cavalry brigade – one of […]

Quebec Papal Zouave’s Ceremonial Gewehr 71/84

October 4, 2021 Ian McCollum 20

Here’s a rifle with an interesting twisting history… This began life as a German military Gewehr 71/84, made in 1888. It was issued to a unit, but eventually replaced by the Gewehr 1888. It was […]

Ethiopian Oddities: The Mo43 Mauser – Handmade or Factory?

September 30, 2021 Ian McCollum 10

Today’s Ethiopian Oddity appears to be a factory-built Mauser short rifle, but embellished with a couple replacement parts (nosecap retainer, stock, bayonet lug) and some truly mysterious markings. The top of the receiver has been […]

Algimech AGM-1: A Short-Lived Italian 9mm Bullpup

September 29, 2021 Ian McCollum 44

In the mid 1980s, an Italian designer named Alphonso Giambelli developed a bullpup pistol-caliber carbine with hopes of selling it to Italian law enforcement. That never happened, but the gun was offered on the commercial […]