Rare Guns you've never heard of
TLDRThe video script delves into the fascinating world of rare firearms from World War II, showcasing unique and lesser-known weapons that played a significant role in the conflict. It highlights the Type 100, a rare Japanese submachine gun; the U.S.-made UD M42, designed for covert operations; the FG42, a German paratrooper rifle; the French MAS-38, known for its durability; and the British DeLisle carbine, used for silent operations. The script also touches on the Calibri mini pistol, the smallest commercially available semi-automatic pistol, and describes improvised weapons like the Stinger machine gun and the Austrian Hell Regal 1915. Additionally, it covers last-ditch weapons developed by the Axis powers towards the end of the war and the Soviet APS underwater rifle and SPP-1 pistol. The narrative concludes with the Fedorov Avtomat, an early 20th-century automatic rifle that was ahead of its time.
Takeaways
- π« **Type 100 Submachine Gun**: The rarest Japanese-made submachine gun, developed late and produced in limited quantities with unique features like a bayonet lug and bipod in some versions.
- π **UD M42 Submachine Gun**: A lesser-known US weapon designed for underground activities in Nazi-occupied Europe, chambered for 9mm Parabellum rounds, and featured a quick reload system.
- πΌ **FG42 Paratrooper Rifle**: A German weapon that combined features of an assault rifle and light machine gun, influencing future designs like the American M60 machine gun.
- β **MAS-38 Submachine Gun**: A French weapon that was ahead of its time but produced too late and in insufficient numbers, known for its durability and lack of unnecessary features.
- πͺ **DeLisle Carbine**: A suppressed British carbine used by Commando units and Special Operations Executive, known for its near-silent operation and integrated suppressor.
- ποΈ **Caliber Mini Pistol**: The smallest commercially available centerfire semi-automatic pistol, marketed as a lady's self-defense weapon, with limited stopping power.
- π **Last-Ditch Axis Weapons**: As resources dwindled, the Japanese and German forces developed simplified and crude firearms like the MP3008 and Volkssturmgewehr VG-15.
- π₯ **Einstand 46 Flamethrower**: A single-shot, lightweight, portable flamethrower used by the German military towards the end of WWII, known for its simplicity and disposability.
- π **APS Underwater Rifle**: Developed by the Soviet Union for use by frogmen, featuring a smooth bore barrel and long, narrow rounds for effective underwater fire.
- π§ **Stinger Machine Gun**: An improvised weapon by US Marines, created by modifying the M2 machine gun for increased portability and rate of fire, used in the Pacific theater.
- β³ **Fedorov Avtomat**: One of the first selective-fire rifles, adopted in 1916 by the Russian Army, and used throughout various conflicts, including being reintroduced during the Winter War.
Q & A
What was unique about the Japanese Type 100 submachine gun?
-The Type 100 was unique as it was the only submachine gun produced by Japan in significant quantity during World War II. Despite being less effective and prone to jamming, it featured odd characteristics like a tangent rear sight, a bayonet lug, and even a bipod in some versions. A variant, the Type 140, was designed for paratroopers with a foldable buttstock, and the Type 144 was a simplified and more reliable model with a higher rate of fire.
Why was the U.S.-made UD M42 submachine gun designed?
-The UD M42 was designed by the High Standard Manufacturing Company for commercial use, but it caught the attention of the United Defense Supply Corporation, which was associated with the U.S. Secret Service. They intended to use the weapon for underground activities overseas, particularly for resistance operations in Nazi-occupied Europe.
What was special about the German FG-42 paratrooper rifle?
-The FG-42 was a groundbreaking design that combined features of an assault rifle and a light machine gun. It was intended for use as an assault rifle and was chambered in the powerful 7.92mm cartridge. The rifle had a slope pistol grip, a large buttstock, and a bipod, making it lighter than the standard Army G41 semi-automatic rifle. Its design influenced future weapons like the American M60 machine gun.
Why was the French MAS-38 submachine gun considered rare during World War II?
-The MAS-38 was considered rare due to its late start in production and the fact that less than 2,000 units were produced by the beginning of the war in 1940. Its production was further limited after the German Army captured the MAS factory, and its use was restricted mainly to France due to its unique chambering.
How did the British DeLisle carbine achieve near-silent operation?
-The DeLisle carbine achieved near-silent operation through its integrated 15-inch long suppressor, which was an invention of its designer, William Godfrey DeLisle. It was a suppressed firearm that produced no muzzle flash and was completely silent at a distance of 50 yards or 46 meters.
What was the Calibri mini pistol known for?
-The Calibri mini pistol was known for being the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge semi-automatic pistol made in history. It was designed by an Austrian watchmaker and was marketed as a lady's self-defense weapon due to its compact size, which allowed it to fit in a handbag.
Why was the German MP3008 submachine gun produced in a limited quantity?
-The MP3008 was produced in a limited quantity of about 10,000 units due to the waning days of World War II when resources were scarce. It was a simplified version of the British Sten gun, adapted by the Germans for ease of manufacturing and use by auxiliary troops and foreign allies.
What was the Volkssturmgewehr (VG-15) designed to accomplish?
-The Volkssturmgewehr (VG-15), or people's assault rifle, was designed to provide extra firepower to the Volkssturm, a German home guard militia composed of poorly trained and ill-equipped conscripts. It was a last-ditch weapon meant to serve as a stop gap between the Allies and the collapse of the Third Reich.
What was the Einstossflasche 46 (one-shot flamethrower) used for?
-The Einstossflasche 46 was a lightweight, portable, single-shot flamethrower used by the German Army during World War II. It was a simple metal container filled with fuel that, when triggered, would project a single burst of flame for less than a second to an effective range of about 30 yards. It was used as a quick, disposable weapon for front-line soldiers.
How did the Japanese Type 99 Arisaka bolt-action rifle evolve by the end of World War II?
-By the end of World War II, the Japanese Type 99 Arisaka rifle was stripped down to its core components to save on production time and material. The late war version had a stationary rear sight without adjustments, a crude unfinished metal bolt, and omitted unnecessary metal pieces. The wooden components were also simplified, with the handguard covering only half the barrel and the removal of the finger groove under the rear sights.
What was the purpose of the National Defense rifle issued to the Japanese Home Guard?
-The National Defense rifle was issued to members of the Japanese Home Guard as a simplified and crude weapon due to the shortage of more advanced firearms. It was designed to be manufactured quickly and in large numbers by various workshops across the country, with basic designs provided by the government and finished works varying between workshops.
Outlines
π« Top 5 Rare Guns of World War II
This paragraph introduces the topic of rare guns developed during World War II, highlighting the unprecedented production of various weapons and the emergence of iconic infantry weapons. It also mentions lesser-known firearms that were produced in limited quantities, making them rare and less recognized by the general public. The Type 100, a rare Japanese submachine gun, and the U.S.-made UD M42 are detailed, with descriptions of their features, production history, and use in warfare.
π₯ Groundbreaking and Rare Firearms of WWII
The FG42, a German paratrooper rifle, is discussed as a high-quality weapon with a mix of assault rifle and light machine gun features. Its influence on future weapon designs and its limited production of 7,000 units are noted. The French MAS 38 submachine gun, known for its durability and compact design, had a production of less than 2,000 units due to its late start and complex manufacturing process. The DeLisle carbine, a suppressed British weapon, had a production run of around 130 units and was used by commando units and special operatives.
π οΈ Last-Ditch Weapons of WWII
The German MP3008 submachine gun, an adaptation of the British Sten gun, was produced in about 10,000 units and used by auxiliary troops and foreign allies. The Volkssturmgewehr, a rushed and impractical German semi-automatic rifle, was created for the home guard. The Einstasflammenwerfer, a single-shot, lightweight flamethrower, was used by German paratroopers and the Volkssturm. The Japanese Arisaka Type 99 and National Defense rifles were simplified versions of their original designs, produced in response to resource scarcity.
π« Unique and Uncommon Firearms
The Calibri mini pistol, designed by an Austrian watchmaker, was the smallest commercially available centerfire semi-automatic pistol with limited accuracy and power. The APS underwater assault rifle and SPP1 underwater pistol were developed for the Soviet Union's frogmen, with the SPP1 being a multi-barreled smooth bore pistol effective underwater. The Stinger, an improvised machine gun by U.S. Marines, was created from the M2 aircraft gun for increased portability and rate of fire. The Hell Regal 1915, an Austro-Hungarian prototype submachine gun, was water-cooled and had a high rate of fire but development ceased after 1915. Lastly, the Fedorov Avtomat, an early 20th-century automatic rifle, was ahead of its time but hindered by historical events.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Submachine Guns
π‘Infantry Weapons
π‘Rarity
π‘Type 100 Submachine Gun
π‘UD M42
π‘FG-42
π‘MAZ-38
π‘DeLisle Carbine
π‘Caliber Mini Pistol
π‘Last-Ditch Weapons
π‘APS Underwater Rifle
Highlights
World War II saw an unprecedented development and production of weapons, including tanks, artillery, and infantry weapons.
The Type 100 was the rarest Japanese-made submachine gun and the only one produced in significant quantity by Japan.
The Type 100 had unique features like a tangent rear sight, bayonet lug, and a bipod in some versions.
The Type 144, a simplified and more reliable version of the Type 100, had a higher rate of fire at 800 rounds per minute.
The UD M42 was a high-quality, US-made submachine gun designed for underground activities in Nazi-occupied Europe.
The FG-42 was a groundbreaking German design that influenced future weapons like the American M60 machine gun.
The MAS-38 was a French submachine gun that was ahead of its time but produced in limited quantities due to the war.
The DeLisle carbine was a suppressed British weapon used by Commando units and known for its near-silent operation.
The Calibri is the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge semi-automatic pistol in history.
The MP3008 was a German submachine gun produced during the final years of World War II due to resource scarcity.
The Volkssturmgewehr (VG-15) was a last-ditch weapon created for the German Home Guard during the war's final stages.
The Einstas Flementhefer was a single-shot, disposable flamethrower used by the German military towards the end of World War II.
The Arisaka Type 99 was a Japanese bolt-action rifle that was simplified towards the end of the war due to resource constraints.
The National Defense rifle was a simplified Japanese rifle issued to Home Guard troops in anticipation of an Allied invasion.
The APS underwater assault rifle and SPP-1 underwater pistol were developed for the Soviet Navy's frogmen in the 1970s.
The Stinger was an improvised weapon created by US Marines during World War II for rapid fire support in offensive operations.
The Hell Regal 1915 was an Austro-Hungarian prototype submachine gun that was water-cooled and had a high rate of fire.
The Fedorov Avtomat was an early 20th-century Russian select-fire rifle that was ahead of its time and considered an ancestor of the assault rifle.
Transcripts
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