Rifles - Forgotten Weapons

The Dutch Model 1871/79 Beaumont – from Ethiopia

August 27, 2021 Ian McCollum 12

The Beaumont was one of the early European breechloading metallic-cartridge rifles, adopted in 1871. The rifle is a combination of elements form the Chassepot, the Mauser-Norris, and a unique V-spring firing pin system invented by […]

But Does it Take 1911 Mags? Prototype Winchester 1905SL in .45 ACP

August 25, 2021 Ian McCollum 0

One of the really cool aspects of the Cody Firearms Museum is that their collection is built largely on the original Winchester factory collection. Thus they have a significant number of prototype Winchester designs that […]

Ross WWI Sniper Rifle w/ Winchester A5 Scope

August 23, 2021 Ian McCollum 19

The standard Canadian sniper’s rifle of World War One was the MkIII Ross fitted with a Warner & Swasey “musket sight” purchased from the United States. However, armorers in the field did create sniping rifles […]

Zastava M93 Black Arrow in .50 BMG at the Range

August 21, 2021 Ian McCollum 26

Today we have the M93 “Black Arrow” out at the range. I made an attempt to get the scope zeroed enough to be on paper, but was unable to get it there within a few […]

Zastava M93 Black Arrow: Serbia’s .50 Cal Anti-Materiel Rifle

August 20, 2021 Ian McCollum 47

The M93 Black Arrow is a .50 caliber anti-materiel rifle developed by Zastava to replace some applications of the RPG with better accuracy. It was originally produced in 12.7x108mm, the same as used in the […]

Throwback Thursday: Cei Rigotti Rifle Disassembly

August 19, 2021 Ian McCollum 15

The Cei Rigotti is a fascinating early Italian self-loading rifle design that was tested in several countries, but never adopted or put into production. I had a chance to disassemble one at the British REME […]

Ians Customs: Tanker M1 Scout

August 17, 2021 Ian McCollum 39

Today we are looking at the Tanker M1 rig I put together about 15 years ago. This is an original WW2 production receiver rebuilt with an 18″ 7.62mm NATO barrel in the 1980s by Arlington […]

Winchester Model D: The WW1 Origin of the Famous Model 70

August 11, 2021 Ian McCollum 13

Just as World War One broke out in Europe, TC Johnson was working on a new Mauser-based sporting rifle design for the Winchester company. With the war, Johnson added options for military configurations (handguard, bayonet […]

The Three Types of Chassepot Cavalry Carbines

August 9, 2021 Ian McCollum 8

There are few records I have been able to find on production of the original Mle 1866 Chassepot cavalry carbines. However, Royal Tiger / InterOrdnance just recently brought in a crate of 200 Gras and […]

“Jungle Carbine” – the Lee Enfield No5 MkI Rifle

August 4, 2021 Ian McCollum 7

Today I am concluding our series on the standard-issue Lee Enfield system with the No5 MkI – the “jungle carbine”. Developed in 1943 as a shorter and handier pattenr of rifle than the No4, the […]