Uncategorized - Forgotten Weapons

CZ-2000 “Lada” – AK Czechnology in 5.56mm

December 31, 2018 Ian McCollum 28

Development of the CZ-2000 began in the 1970s as a replacement for the vz.58 rifle. The project was named “Lada”, and was essentially an improved AK-74 rifle chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge. The new rifle […]

Join me for a WW1 battlefield tour in September 2019!

December 23, 2018 Ian McCollum 8

I am excited to announce that I will be leading a WW1 battlefield tour in Belgium and France (mostly France) September 7-15 of 2019. It is being run by Military History Tours, who have more […]

Shooting the MAS-38 Submachine Gun: Second Try

September 20, 2018 Ian McCollum 17

Take 2! I have some ammunition loaded up for me by awesome viewer Cameron, and we’re going to try it out in the MAS-38 submachine gun. This is loaded hot enough to properly cycle Mle […]

Q&A 21: French Edition

September 13, 2018 Ian McCollum 14

Today’s Q&A is all about French guns, because I am getting close to being finished writing a book on French military rifles – the first book to cover this subject in English from the Chassepot […]

Announcing my Upcoming Book – and Art Contest!

September 8, 2018 Ian McCollum 13

http://www.FrenchRifleBook.com I have mentioned this before, but this is the first time I have formally announced it – I am writing a reference book on French military rifles, to be titled “Chassepot to FAMAS: French […]

Overview of French Gun Laws

August 2, 2018 Ian McCollum 32

Today I am joined by my friend Edouard for a discussion of French gun laws, as part of our continuing series on how firearms laws vary across the world. The French system is, shall we […]

Forgotten History: Vercors – the Climactic Battle of the French Resistance

July 31, 2018 Ian McCollum 11

The imposing heights of the Vercors Massif form a very impressive natural defensive position in the southeastern corner of France. It was here that the French Resistance had its largest set piece battle against German […]

Forgotten History: The Underground Hell of Fort Vaux

July 24, 2018 Ian McCollum 8

With the surprise capture of Fort Douaumont in February 1916, the French reinforced all the remaining forts around the city of Verdun, and would hold them all successfully for many months. In fact, the only […]

FESAC and the Rights of European Arms Collectors

July 17, 2018 Ian McCollum 52

Today I am joined by Mr. Stephen Petroni, chairman of FESAC – the Foundation for European Societies of Arms Collectors. FESAC is an organization set up to advocate for and protect the rights of European […]

Virtual Tour of the Excavation at DigHill80

July 15, 2018 Ian McCollum 9

DigHill80 was an archaeological project funded in large part by you, the viewers of Forgotten Weapons. Hill 80 was a German fortified position in World War One outside the Belgian town of Wijtschate. In 2015 […]