This Old Military Rifle

[V-Tach]

Chinese Type 53



The Chinese built (under Russian license and guidance) a copy of the Russian M44 and it was designated the Type 53 for the year they started manufacturing the rifle. After a few years it replaced by the Type 56 SKS and AK-47. It is not known how many T-53’s were produced, but it was a lot. They are found in use worldwide even today.

Production was started too late for them to have been used in the Korean War (although the M44 was used in Korea). They were used by the Viet Cong and NVA forced in Vietnam. They were also supplied to countries in the Latin America, Middle East and Africa among others. They were all produced in Arsenal /26\ in China. It is thought that production ceased in 1961, but no one is certain. The Chinese do not give information on their weapon production.

Produced 1953-1961 (?)

Numbers-Unknown

Weight: 9 lbs.

Length: 40.25 in.

Barrel Length: 19.5 in.

Capacity 5+1

Caliber: 7.62X54R

Resources: Tactical-Life, DELTAC, Fandom

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[rl96ss]

Vz 52/57.


The Vz 52 rifle short for "vzor" meaning model 52, is a Czech semi-auto rifle chambered in 7.62x45.

The Soviets pressure to adopt the 7.62x39 cartridge resulted in this rifle here, the V 52/57., which is basically the Vz 52. with a new barrel and magazine made specifically for 7.62x39 round.

Mistaken for a SKS most times when I've had it out it was clearly highly inspired by it.
Better trigger and more refined as most Czech designs, IMO.

One of my favorites and one of my "must own rifles" when I started my collection.







Barrel pin.



Bayonet.

10 round detachable magazine.

Cleaning kit.

Bayonet release and retract.

 

[V-Tach]

Nice......In fact the nicest I've ever seen....

I've always wanted one but have only seen the black painted cracked stock ones still chambered in 7.62X45....or ones that were very poor attempts at being rechambered to 7.62X39.....

Cool rifle....

 

[rl96ss]

Nice......In fact the nicest I've ever seen....

I've always wanted one but have only seen the black painted cracked stock ones still chambered in 7.62X45....or ones that were very poor attempts at being rechambered to 7.62X39.....

Cool rifle....

Appreciate it. My experience has been that they're dogs or really nice condition. Not many in the middle.
That barrel pin is key to insure you're not buying a sleeved version.

 

[V-Tach]

Martini Henry



The Martini Henri Rifle entered British service in 1871. It replaced earlier percussion rifles that had been converted to breech loading via the Snyder Conversion.

The full history of the rifle is too much information to post here. There are many books published about this rifle and its variants.

While the rifle was used in many British Colonial wars, one most notable was the Anglo-Zulu war in 1879 and the battle of Rorke’s Drift.

Officer bayonet was sword type, infantry was cruciform type.


In service 1871-1918
Produced 1871-1889
Numbers: 500,000- 1 million

Length: 49 inches
Barrel Length: 33.22 inches
Weight: 8 lbs. 7 oz.

Calibers:
577/450 Boxer-Henry
577/450 Martini Henry
11.43X55R Ottoman
11.43X59R Romanian


Books

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[V-Tach]

SKS



Designed by Soviet arms designer Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov and adopted by the Russian military in 1949.

Produced in the Tula Arsenal from 1945-1948 and the Izhevsk Arsenal from 1953-1954. Russian production was approximately 2.7 million rifles. Other countries around the world also produced the SKS and the total world production is 15 million +.

10 round fixed magazine, fixed folding bayonet and semi-auto only led the rifle to be replaced by the AK-47. SKS rifles are still in service in Russia to this day.

Millions have been sold in the USA mostly from China and other Eastern Bloc nations. 69+ Countries have SKS rifles in their use. The rifle is only surpassed in numbers by the AK-47.

The Chinese version, the Type 56 (year of adoption) is a clone but utilized catalpa (chu) wood stocks instead of the Russian birch.

Other countries that produced the SKS include: China, Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, Albania, East Germany (rare), North Korea and Vietnam.



In Service 1945-Present

Specifications:

Weight: 8.5 lbs.

Length: 44 in.

Barrel Length: 20 in.

Calibers

7.62X39



Resources: Wikipedia



Books
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Captured Ukrainian Soldiers being marched by Soviet Loyal Rebels

My Russian SKS is in excellent re-arsenaled condition. It is all matching except the stock has been force matched. It was made in the Tula Arsenal in 1954.

I currently have 6 variations/versions and always looking for another....

 

[V-Tach]

Real Chinese Military Type 56....well worn but still shoots great......

Made in the number /26\ Arsenal

Norinco Commercial SKS in Excellent condition

Made in Arsenal /306\

Paratrooper Model, although the Chinese Military never fielded this version, it was for commercial export.

Shortened Barrel

Even the bayonet was shortened for the Paratrooper model.

Short and handy carbine, if you can find one....

Made in the /26\ arsenal......

Model M with the monte carlo stock for importation during the Clinton ban..it does take the 30 rd AK magazine though.......

No Bayonet Lug for importation

Standard AK mag release

No Arsenal Marks...Commercial export only

The barrel is shorter, but the buttstock has a longer LOP compared to the standard SKS

Another Model M with the thumbhole stock and accepts 30 rd AK mags.

No Arsenal Marks

with the shorter barrel, long LOP and a wide fore end, it actually feels good and shoots even better....

Typical Chinese Checkering....

 

[V-Tach]

UZI





The first UZI prototype was produced in 1950 and adopted by the Israeli Military in 1954. It was designed by an Israeli military officer, Major Uziel Gal. He retired in 1975 and moved to the United Stated in 1976 where continued arms designs until his death in 2002.

Approximately 10,000 Select Fire UZI’s were imported before the 1986 ban. The semi-auto Model A was imported from 1980-1983. The Model B was imported from 1983-1989. Both models were made in Israel in the same factory that produced the select fire military versions. The select fire version fires from an open bolt and the Model A and Model B from a closed bolt. The select fire utilizes a 10 inch barrel and the semi a 16 inch barrel. The minor differences between the model A and the Model B were the sights and the addition of a firing pin safety in the model B to prevent out of battery firing.

There are many other manufactures that produced copies made in the USA. One unlicensed copy was made and imported from China. I owned one back in the 80’s and it was a decent gun but had a thumbhole stock and no bayonet lug. The barrel nut was also welded in place.

The CIA used the UZI during the Vietnam War. The Secret Service adopted the UZI in the mid 70’s. The photos of Secret Service deploying UZI’s during the assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan are widely known.



In Service: 1954-Present

Wars/conflicts: Multiple

Users: over 90 Countries

Specifications:

Length: 18.5 in (folding stock collapsed)

25 inches (stock expanded)

Barrel Length: 10.2 in.

Weight: 7.72 lbs.

Calibers:
9 X19, 45 acp, 22LR, 41AE, 9 X 21 IMI



Resources: Wikipedia, Forgotten Weapons, Internet Open Sources



Books

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[V-Tach]

 

[V-Tach]

Gewehr G24(t)





In March of 1939 Germany started to occupy Czechoslovakia. At that time the Czech had been successfully producing their VZ24 rifle (near Mauser clone with a straight bolt handle) for their army and other militaries (27 Countries) around the globe. During the occupation the Germans took all existing stocks VZ24’s and pressed them into service. Rifles built during the occupation were given the designation Gewehr G24(t). Plants continued to manufacture rifles that eventually took on K98 features to adhere to German standards. Bolt handles were turned down, laminate stocks, stock discs etc. In 1942 and 1943 the plants converted to only producing K98’s. All Czech markings were omitted on G24(t) rifles and only the German codes and waffenamts were used till the end of the war.



Approximately 255,000-330,000 G24 (t)’s were produced during 1941-1942. The German word for Czechoslovak is tschechoslowakisch. The (t) being the letter denoting the national origin of the rifles hence, G24(t).



Specifications



Weight: 9.2 lbs.

Length: 43.3 inches

Barrel Length: 23.23 inches

Calibers: 7.92 X 57 Mauser 7 X 57 Mauser, 7.65 X 53 Argentine



Resources: Wikipedia, open source internet



My rifle is 7.92 X 57 and in very good condition. No import marks and was probably made early in the occupation.
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[V-Tach]

FR8



During the 50’s Spain was implementing the CETME rifle but did not have enough rifles to train and equip all the troops. They did have a large supply of the bolt action Model 1943’s they were replacing. The Model 43 was based on the large ring Mauser action. They rebarreled to 7.62 NATO and modified them into the FR8. FR is an abbreviation for Fusil Reformado which translates to “converted rifle”

They also had stockpiles of the model 1916 Mauser’s and they were also converted to 7.62 X 51 as the FR7. The FR8 is a large ring Mauser action and the FR7 a small ring action.

The Flash hider is the same as the CETME to assist a grenade launching capability. It utilized the same bayonet as the CETME as well as some other features.

In Service: 1950’s to 1970’s

Specifications:

Weight: 8.2 lbs.

Length: 38 in.

Barrel Length: 19 in.

Calibers:

7.62 X 51 NATO

Books
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[V-Tach]

Vetterli Rifle



The Vetterli rifle was the Swiss service rifle from 1869 -1889. It had a tubular magazine and a typical bolt for the time period. It utilized a 10mm black powder cartridge and held 12 rounds. At the time of its adoption by the Swiss, it was the most advanced service rifle in Europe at the time.



The first model was the 1867. It was followed by the Model 1868. The 1869 69/72 Model 1871 and models 1878 and 1881.

My rifle is a Model 78 and was produced in Berne Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik factory.

It was eventually replaced by the Schmidt-Rubin rifles.

They were used by the Swiss and Italian armies. The models 1871 and 1881 were also produced in a karabiner (carbine) model.



Model 78 Specs:

Weight: 10.4 lbs.

Length: 52.2 inches

Barrel Length: 33.2 inches.



Caliber: 10.4X38 Swiss Rimfire

Model 1878’s produced: 114,000

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[V-Tach]

Spanish Model 1943

M43



Adopted in 1943, essentially a licensed copy of the K98 Mauser with subtle differences. These rifles were the ones converted to the FR8 rifle. Not a whole lot of information about these rifles on the net. My rifle was made in 1945.



Weight: 8.2 lbs.

Length: 43.4 in.

Barrel Length: 24 inches.

Caliber: 8mm Mauser

Production from 1943 – 1957

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Two Sniper Versions and one CETME

 

[V-Tach]

Modelo 1938

Carcano M38



Italian M1891 up to 1938 rifles were chambered in the M1895 6.5X52mm cartridge. Reports of poor on field battle performance led the Italians to introduce a new cartridge in 1938 in 7.35X51mm

In 1938 they introduced a new short rifle, the M38. A spitzer type projectile was used with the tip containing aluminum to cause it to tumble. It was believed this would cause more soft tissue damage.

The M38 has a peculiar nonadjustable rear sight set for 200 meters. By 1940 the Italians were unable to produce enough of the new cartridge and rifles for the war effort and reverted back to the 6.5mm round.

Finland acquired approximately 74,000 of the M38 rifles which they called Terni Carbines. The troops were not fond of the rifle and its nonadjustable rear sight. The fact that ammunition was not readily available led the Finnish front line troops to abandon them on the field of battle grabbing other rifles when they could.

Another feature of the M38 was a folding bayonet which sounded good in theory but the bayonet was poorly executed and before the war was over most of them were welded into a fixed position. The bayonets are collectable and cost more than the rifle in today’s market.

In 1942 the Italians returned to a longer barreled rifle.

Finland sold all of their M38’s on the surplus market after WWII. Mostly in Canada and the United States.

My rifle is a Finnish contract gun.



Specifications:

Weight: 7.5 lbs.

Length: 40.1 inches

Barrel Length: 21 inches

Caliber: 7.35X51mm
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Finns opening crates of the M38 rifles

Captured weapons by the Finns after a battle. Note the M38's their troops abandoned for better rifles............

The bayonet is worth more than the rifle.

In it's folded position

 

[V-Tach]

SA denotes a Finland Rifle

Made in 1939

Terni Crown Roll mark

Caliber 7.35X51mm

Note the fixed rear sight.

Bottom of forend for folded bayonet

 

[V-Tach]

STEN



The battle for Britain was raging, troops were being evacuated from Dunkirk and many small arms were lost during the evacuation. The Brits needed guns and needed them quickly. They feared German invasion was imminent.



Major R.V. Shepherd and Royal small arms designer John Turpin came through with a submachine gun that was simple, and less costly to produce than the American Thompson in 1941. Although the Brits had ordered (and used) Thompsons, with America entering the war there just wasn’t enough of them. The cost of producing a Thompson during the war was $70.00 while the STEN was $11.00.

STEN is an acronym for Shepherd, Turpin and Enfield the arms factory.

Utilizing mostly stamped steel parts and very little welding the STEN with its side mounted 32 round magazine and blowback operation the STEN (all variants) became the second most produced submachine during the war behind the Russian PPSH-41 at over 40 million produced.

There were a total of 5 variants, the MKI, MKII, MKIIS (suppressed), MKIII, MKIV and MK V. My rifle was built from an MKII parts kit (most common version built). STEN parts kits are drying up and if you ever wanted to build one, buy the kit now. STEN MKII kits have all but disappeared and are the easiest to build, although they all are not terribly complicated. Some had a wire stock, the T-stock as mine and wood stocks. Sights are very rudimentary.

Firing from an open bolt It has a cyclic rate of around 500-600 rds a minute and fun as heck to shoot. Very controllable. Not as fast a cyclic rate as many other sub guns, but effective.

The STEN remained in British service until the 1960’s. It was also used and manufactured by several other countries post war.



MKII Specifications:

Length: 30 inches

Barrel Length: 7.8 inches.

Weight: 7.1 lbs.

Caliber: 9X19mm



Resources: Wikipedia, Forgotten Weapons, Open Source Internet



Books
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I built mine as a Post Dealer Sample. The Bolt is held open in a a slot at the rear and serves as a safety.

 

[V-Tach]

M6 Air Crew Survival Weapon


Issued to Air crews from 1952 to the early 70’s for crews flying over artic and other uninhabited areas.

Developed in 1946 for the United States Army Air Forces (later to become United State Air Force). The official nomenclature was; Rifle-Shotgun, Survival, Caliber 22/.410

It was not designed as a defensive weapon against enemy troops but foraging small game for survival and possible unsociable critters. Folded it easily fit into the survival kits issued to air crews.

The original barrel lengths were 14 inches which runs afoul of the NFA for civilians. Original calibers were .22 Hornet over .410. Today’s copies are in several calibers.

It utilizes a selective firing block located in the hammer to select the barrel to be fired and also the safety. The buttstock holds both calibers of ammunition. It has a trigger bar instead of the traditional trigger for operation wearing cold weather mitts. Later civilian copies added a trigger guard which can be removed. Lacking a forend, crews were advised to wrap para cord around the barrels. The rear sight has a flip up peep for the rifle barrel and a notched flip up for the shotgun barrel.



Springfield M6 Scout Specifications

Weight: 4.7 lbs.

Length: 32 inches

Barrel length: 18.25 inches

Length folded: 18.25 inches

Calibers:

22 Hornet, 22 LR, 22 WMR/ .410

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Over sized trigger guard can be removed

Sight for shotgun barrel

Sight for rifle barrel

In the upper position for rifle

Lower position for shotgun. The middle position is the safety.

simple extraction

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Very cool.

 

[V-Tach]

Browning 1919A6



During WWII it became abundantly clear the 1918 BAR was outdated. Utilizing 20 round magazines and no capability to change barrels in the field left the U.S. scrambling to find something comparable to the German’s MG 34 and MG 42. Not having the time to R&D our own light squad machine gun, they decided to adapt the 1919A4 in short order.

While the 1919A4 is a fine machine gun it is heavy and not easily carried and used by one GI. Barrel changes in the field are possible. Barrels are changed taking the barrel out of the rear of the receiver which required disassembly. While not terribly difficult, changing the barrel and head spacing the new barrel takes a bit of time and while under fire would be a tedious task.

The 1919 alone without T&E, tripod and ammo weighs 32 lbs. The MG 34 at 26 lbs. and the MG 42 at 25 lbs. were much lighter and easier to carry, use and maintain in the field. Both were capable of sustained fire far better than our 1918 BAR.

The 1919A6 was first fielded in the fall of 1943. It had a lighter barrel than the 1919A4 and the barrel could be changed from the front thanks to using a different type of muzzle booster. The new muzzle booster also accommodated a new bipod configuration. The barrel still required head spacing. A stamped steel shoulder stock was produced that clamped onto the rear plate of the receiver over the pistol grip. After all the modifications, the 1919A6 still weighed in at 32 lbs. A carry handle was added to make carrying easier.

The 1919A6 would be replaced by the M60 in the early 60’s.



References: Wikipedia, open source internet.​

The Israeli's used the standard muzzle booster and a different bipod. The bipod attaches over the barrel shroud and a detent locks into place utilizing a ventilation hole, It can be moved up and down the shroud. The stamped steel Israeli shoulder stock is an exact copy of ours.

 

[V-Tach]

Totally shameless pics of the M1919 in the A4 configuration along with a buffered AA mount.........

Standard M1919A4 tripod configuration

Buffered mount on Anti Aircraft tripod.

Loading chute

The links are collected via a chute and empty brass is collected in the can under the gun.

buffered on both sided fore and aft.

The spade grips are my preference over the standard pistol grip.

the numbers are my Son's BD....the INSP. initials are his also. Fulton Ordnance was one of my other business ventures.