Grease Gun: The US Military’s Longest-Serving Submachine Weapon
When the lightweight and cheap US Submachine Gun, Cal. 45, M3 was introduced into service in 1944, it was intended for use across all theaters…
The M202 FLASH Has Been in Pseudo-Retirement for Decades – Why?
The US military has designed a number of rocket launchers for use in combat. Some have seen years of service, while others have seemingly faded…
The Remarkably Effective WWII-Era PIAT Anti-Tank Weapon
By 1942, the Second World War had dragged on for three years. The British had seen a good deal of combat in various theaters, frequently…
M270 MLRS: The Incredible Rocket Launch System That Continues to See Combat
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is an armored multiple rocket launcher that has been used by the US Army for decades. Jointly developed…
The M320 Grenade Launcher is a Serious Step-Up From the M203
The M320 grenade launcher is one of the newest in the US military’s arsenal. It was created with the intention of having an equally effective…
How the Legend of the Gurhkas’ Kukri Blade was Forged
In 1814, the British Army first encountered Nepalese soldiers known as Gurkhas. While both were initially enemies, the British later brought the Gurkhas into their…
The M1 Garand was ‘The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised’
Of the many guns to see combat during the Second World War, the M1 Garand was the first standard issue autoloading rifle used by the…
The Type 4 Grenade was a Last Ditch Effort By the Japanese
As the Second World War drew to a close, the Japanese were in a difficult position. By 1944-45, most of their industrial buildings had been…
The Ukrainian Military Has Repurposed the Soviet DShK as a Shoulder-Fired Infantry Weapon
The Russian-produced DShK is among the longest-serving machine guns still in use today. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian military found itself…
Panjandrum: Britain’s Failed WWII-Era Rocket-Propelled Explosive
By 1943, the Germans had heavily fortified the European coast against an Allied invasion. This defense system, known as the Atlantic Wall, spanned along the…
The History of Drop Tanks: From Improvised Bombs to Vietnamese Canoes
Since the end of the Vietnam War, Vietnamese civilians have been making the most of US military waste. Reduce, reuse, recycle has taken on a…
M1919 Browning: An Innovative and Revolutionary Firearm
The M1919 Browning machine gun is one of the most prolific firearms used by the US military, having seen use during the Second World War,…