America's First Assault Rifle: Burton 1917 LMR

/ forgottenweapons
centerofthewest.org/explore/f...
America's first assault rifle? Well, it does meet all the requirements - select-fire, intermediate cartridge, and shoulder-fired. It was never actually fielded, though.
The Burton Light Machine Rifle was developed during World War One, with the firing model completed in 1917. It was intended as an aircraft observer's weapon for attacking balloons - a role which required incendiary ammunition.With this in mind, Winchester's Frank Burton adapted the .351 WSL cartridge from his 1905 and 1907 self-loading rifles into the .345 WSL, with a spitzer bullet. He designed an open-bolt, select-fire shoulder rifle to fire it, which became known as the Light Machine Rifle.
Burton's rifle was to be usable both in an aircraft where it could be fixed to a Scarff mount for a wide field of fire or used by an individual on the ground, fired from the shoulder. It weighed in at just about 10 pounds (4.5kg) and had a pistol grip and straight-line design to bring the recoil impulse directly into the shooter's shoulder and minimize rise during automatic fire. The barrel was finned for better cooling, and infantry barrels were equipped with bayonet lugs.
The most distinctive elements of the design, of course, are the dual top-mounted magazines. Each one holds 20 rounds, and each has a pair of locking catches. One position locks the magazine into a feeding position, and the other holds it up above the cycling of the bolt. The idea here was to keep a second loaded magazine easily accessible for an aerial observer - so they could reload without having to find another magazine somewhere in the aircraft. Contrary to some speculation, there is no automatic transition between magazines. When one is empty, the shooter must pull it back to the second locking position (or out of the gun entirely) and then push the second magazine down into feeding position.
Despite Burton's work - which was well ahead of its time - the LMR had been rendered obsolete for its primary role by the time it was ready. Synchronized, forward-mounted Vickers machine guns firing 11mm incendiary ammunition were being mounted on aircraft, and were more effective on balloons and airplanes than Burton's weapon would have been. Only this single example was ever made, and it was not presented for infantry consideration as far as I can tell. It was lost for many years before being discovered in a Winchester building, and eventually ending up in the Cody Firearms Museum with the rest of the Winchester factory collection.

[@Schnipah]

"AFFIX BAYONET!" "Sir, we are in an aircraft" "I SAID AFFIX DAMNIT!"

[@catmeme4life220]

we go skydiving bayonet charge....just like sparing a fish...you know what, better than sparing fish.

[@Clown_the_Clown]

"We're taking the Zepplin head on, CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE"

[@Isdezenaambezet]

That's some warhammer 40k shit right there.

[@airbornewarningandcontrols396]

Throw the gun at it

[@thatguybrody4819]

it's the perfect design. when you run out of bullets you fix bayonetts and turn your trusty steed around to joust.

[@panzerabwerkanone]

"Gunner to pilot, Zepplin on the horizon two-o-clock" "Pilot to gunner, fix bayonet!"

[@bradymenting5120]

"Prepare for boarding action"

[@GaMeRfReAkLIVE]

Zeplin crew "woah are those japanese?"

[@purple_menace6604]

Ramming speed!

[@MAZEMIND]

@@purple_menace6604 Cue Up The Dramatic Music !

[@johnharvey5412]

Fly me closer! I want to stick them with my bayonet!

[@johnharvey5412]

I guess I'm not so original.

[@tucker1012]

Must've been a tactical genius to make- CREEEEEEEED!

[@matthewjackman8410]

I want to see someone sling it, "spear-style" into the propeller of an enemy plane! Possibly to then say "Looks like they're.... all choked up" and put on a huge pair of shades. But maybe I'm expecting too much...

[@joeshaver1104]

John Harvey I guarantee you that a marine has said that in some context....lol

[@TryHardProductions1]

Lmao the 18th and 19th century obsession with bayonets seems so illogical in retrospect.

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Beautiful for a wartime prototype. Imagine being the squad sent to go and capture the downed aircrew and finding the observer armed with this.

[@waynevreeland3141]

Now THAT would be a rude surprise!!!

[@tovrobi5097]

And a bayonet is attached to it.

[@lgbtqisahategroup9781]

**Meanwhile, a group of conscripts from kansas** “Hey john, what kind of gun is that?” “No idea, i just shoot the thing.”

[@TheWhoamaters]

Advancing on a downed aircraft only to hear "Affix bayonets!"

[@BigWheel.]

Knowing how I play bf1 if it was me I'd burn through my entire mag, miss every Shot and then get killed by a sniper who wasn't even involved in the initial gunfight.

[@rautavaara9194]

Ian sees a bayonet lug, and immediately jumps to conclude, that the bayonet was not intended for use against Zeppelins.

[@Ned-Ryerson]

When, in fact, you heated it up with a torch, and then jousted ...

[@max84678]

@@Ned-Ryerson i mean most zepplins had a steel skin on the outside, unlike blimps XD behind the steel skin would be multiple large balloons filled with hydrogen

[@wooblydooblygod3857]

​@@max84678 just hit harder

[@georgesheffield1580]

😅😅😅

[@Jabberwockybird]

Need to watch the balloon dual from "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines"

[@damiangrouse4564]

Self contained hand grip/fire control (hk91), recoil spring in butt stock (AR), the front sight (stg44 like), gravity magazine (Bren gun). This guy was a real pioneer.

[@damiangrouse4564]

And those cooling fins wound up on the Thompson SMG...

[@blackwoodsecurity531]

Interesting point, Ian has said many times that there hasn't been a truly revolutionary weapon design since about the 1940's

[@Papperlapappmaul]

+Flemme Werfer Well, there was the G11 and probably some other experimental guns with caseless ammo but sadly they didn't make it past the experimental stage. And I'm not sure if things like the AN-94 count as "revolutionary" even though mechanically it is very interesting.

[@damiangrouse4564]

+Flemme Werfer Indeed, am aware of Ian's comments on the subject and agree with him. Aside from vicariously experiencing all the reviewed weapons; I particularly enjoy identifying this "obsolete" features on modern firearms. Happy 4th🍗🍔🍻💥.

[@damiangrouse4564]

+swiss I was looking forward to caseless ammo at that time. Maybe a conspiracy by reloading supplies manufactures,eh!? Happy 4th!🍻

[@vguyver2]

We totally need a replica series made for this gun.

[@blacrow7]

That's what I was thinking.

[@BornToFryForcedToServe]

That would be cool

[@Snooty1]

I'm with you

[@idontknowhowtowearabalacla3679]

AND ZE HELLRIEGEL

[@josiahgodwin2933]

I'd sponsor that :)

[@Ensign_Cthulhu]

"A bayonet lug... which is not something you would typically see for an aircraft gun..." I guess when you run out of ammo you can always come up underneath your opponent and the observer can stand up in his seat and bayonet the enemy crew through the underside of the plane, or go wing-walking for a mid-air joust. Giving new meaning to "Knights of the Sky."

[@thatguybrody4819]

the planes come side by side, gunners dismount their guns having a mid air bayonet fight and the other planes on both sides start placing bets and cheering.

[@sajadhoxhaj6603]

Or they throw them like javelins at each other keeping two more spare guns just in case the first one didn't make the hit

[@juliancantarelli]

I can imaging the gunner standing on his seat, holding the bayonet up while the pilot flys by right under the blimp, cutting the belly of flying beast.

[@Ensign_Cthulhu]

@@juliancantarelli Bayonet? Heh. Cavalry sword or go home.

[@donjones4719]

It was designed for the anti-Zeppelin role, it was clearly meant for popping them. Remember, we have no idea how long this special bayonet was.

[@Sean_Coyne]

Churchill would have loved one of these in WWII. An assault rifle with a V for Victory sign on top!

[@blackwoodsecurity531]

lol, made me think of the thing the british do, making a "V" with their index and middle finger, then facing the back of their hand towards someone lol

[@fjubben]

+Flemme Werfer Hang on, are you fucking serious?!

[@gunnerr8476]

+fjib yes the V-sign is also an insult,if you face the back of your hand to a person.That an insult,but if you show the palm,it is not.

[@blackwoodsecurity531]

Afnan Zahran lol could you imagine? What this gun would've been called by the british had it been widely distributed to the troops? "Twat-swatter" or some such lol

[@fjubben]

Afnan Zahran Ah, I thought he was unaware that Churchill was the British Prime Minister at the time. Interesting!

[@tumate45]

Such a incredible gun. In BF1 I just tought that it looks funny, but after hearing about it, and seeing how multifunction it was and was still simple, I think this gun is a miracle for 1917.

[@MrAstrojensen]

Change it to one magazine only, protruding from one side (or below) and you've almost got yourself a FG 42! Imagine that in WW1.

[@nickoh5111]

i noticed this as well, they appear very similar, i don't know how their internals compare

[@9.5.9.5]

Are you blind

[@lanceluthor6660]

One of those forgotten weapons that really makes you wonder "what if they made a bunch of prototypes and shopped it around as a better BAR"?

[@Brawler_1337]

I doubt the ordinance department would have adopted it as it requires a proprietary cartridge. They’d probably have demanded it be rechambered for .30-06, which would’ve completely defeated the point.

[@davispeterson1876]

@@Brawler_1337 also I'm not sure how great an idea a straight blowback in .30-06 would be

[@Brawler_1337]

@@davispeterson1876 Yeah, they would’ve needed to go back to the drawing board and rework the lockup, and by the time that was finished the war would’ve been over and the ordinance department would just reject it because they don’t need it anymore. Wouldn’t be the first time politics killed a decent weapon idea.

[@PhycoKrusk]

@@Brawler_1337 it really is a pretty good idea, when you look at it. It doesn't seem to be any more complicated than a BAR, and also had a much better field strip (I mean, I guess you do technically have to disassemble the whole gun to get at the bolt, but at least the FCG status in one complete piece)

[@JoggingWithForks]

Gun Jesus brings us the goodies once more.

[@bassman3235]

+spammed999 Allah does explosives m8

[@tallen4520]

NOT so fast..... It's my contention that the first ever rifled weapon was the first ASSAULT "RIFLE".....or pistol.

[@Ensign_Cthulhu]

I thought the Orlando nutcase had bombs too. Still, ever since then a whole lot of gays have gone out and got their carry permits and are now packing heat, so the gay-bashers have got to start thinking twice now.

[@ethanworner864]

PJ Praise Gun Jesus!

[@dylanrose910]

Ha

[@strongforce8466]

It hardly ever gets more unique and forgotten than this does it ? lol

[@strongforce8466]

Yea I need to fig through the archives :) but this one.. 1 single prototype, sound pretty insane !

[@Brawler_1337]

Thomas Syxe Then you’d find the Stendebach rifle very interesting. Only one in existence with no documentation at all. The best we can do is guess about how it actually came to be.

[@michael3556]

With it being very likely that tracer ammo was used by airplane observers, Burton could have just copped out and used it in place of providing iron sights. Instead, he found a way to provide a clear sight picture while still having TWO top-mounted magazines. Truly ingenius design for that era.

[@georgesheffield1580]

When did tracers come into use

[@hfhfffhfhf]

​@@georgesheffield1580 around 1915. this is anecdotal but my great-grandfather was a fighter in the war and he said they had a tracer for every 4th round

[@demomanchaos]

I wonder why they didn't make this into an infantry rifle. Even if they had to ditch the dual mag setup a select-fire rifle would have been a HUGE advantage in WWII when everyone was still primarily using bolt-actions.

[@dolendoge1611]

demomanchaos expensive

[@charlieholmes4734]

But bolt action wasnt used that much america had 2 semi auto rifles the m1 carbine and the m1 garand that shot a 30-06

[@AllisterCaine]

the top brass didnt want it. They said you wouldnt need such a gun. remember, this was the time when bolt action rifles came with magazine cut-offs to stop wasting ammo.

[@raccoonking7566]

@@charlieholmes4734 Mate, thats WWII, the gun is from WWI....

[@homeopathicfossil-fuels4789]

expensive, doctrine was different back then, too

[@SeraphinaPZ]

This gun should be nicknamed "The Flying V".

[@thelonewanderer6762]

Sera its a y - wing

[@anzaca1]

No it isn't, it's cool!

[@chemistryofquestionablequa6252]

For Brits it's kind of like flipping your enemy off all the time.

[@CPLPHEONIX]

Nah thats the ex wife

[@sohamsengupta6470]

Yeah no guitarists in this reply section before today I see

[@VenVidiVici]

This thing is actually beautiful, amazing piece of engineering for the time period, down to the barrel having those rings to increase it's surface area to allow better cooling. The man was a pioneer.

[@toiletthug8451]

Gunner: *runs out of rounds* Also Gunner: *throws the bayonet at the enemy*

[@knotbumper]

My great uncle, who was an aerial cartographer apparently used one of these. He spoke of shooting a "Burton." Never knew what he was talking about. He told interesting stories about the AEF. He got the task of aerial cartographer because he did mapping for timber cruisers before the war. As I understand it, they would fly him in the observers seat over enemy trenches and he would map them He said it was much easier than laying out logging railroads in the winters of Washington and Oregon.

[@vncube1]

Reminds of the wacky dual magazine Borderlands sub machine guns.

[@phil180700]

Me too :)

[@sompret]

"Catch a Guuuuun!! UGH! Never doing that again!"

[@phil180700]

+Joshua Madoc ^^

[@noahgaray7923]

+Joshua Madoc it was catch a riiiiiiiide

[@sompret]

mikethemaniac1 "Guns guns guns!"

[@elestromusicgamesfun1101]

How is this not in BF1?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Because my video came out after the guns had already been modeled. :)

[@DJBlackhood91]

no no no, it because that gun was designed for aircraft and DICE added the Maxim MG in the back and heavy machine gun in the front of the bomber. So, that gun wasnt added OR it can be hand held and will be american sentry gun of was picked up by american in argonne

[@oscarstevelopez3506]

DJ Blackhood still it would be cool to take planes down from the ground!!

[@boss_or_something]

can probably expect it on an expansion

[@BartJBols]

so true

[@GY6vids]

Great video on an amazing piece of machinery! Thanks for the unique looks into this gun. The Cody Museum is an amazing spot to visit that is for sure!

[@dksmonster3669]

Now I know to use the incindiary rounds on the war ship for *" M A X I M U M D A M A G E"* Thanks Ian!

[@oerlikon20mm29]

Or you could use your bayonet

[@thescaredshadow]

Kinda looks like something out of Borderlands.

[@thesleepypiggy]

yeah, the Bandit submachine guns.

[@av0-cad03]

+Myles MacInnes that's a bit too big and high caliber for an SMG

[@thesleepypiggy]

It's from a fictional video game. Borderlands is as far from reality as you can get.

[@av0-cad03]

Myles MacInnes​ I know, i play it, but it's really just ridiculous to call a cat a dog, if you know, what I mean. I was just saying, not criticizing anyone. but I agree it does look bandit esc

[@thesleepypiggy]

+Dark Angel Dreadnaught I was only comparing in my mind the twin magazines held at such an angle. I guess I should have told you where I got my conclusion from.

[@robbythrasher2electricboog250]

my nephew had to do a report on Weaponry from World War II so I told him to watch some of your videos and he ended up getting an A

[@Pouk3D]

One in existence? ...I'm sure such detail won't get in the way of it eventually appearing in Battlefield 1.

[@madcowrebel4216]

You were very right 😅

[@Yoda_16358]

Well to be fair it makes for a more interesting game to have weapons that are unique in some way. But you’re absolutely right lol

[@Sammie1053]

Still more reasonable than the Hellriegel (zero in existence, no written record; only evidence it ever even existed is four photos)

[@TheKastus17]

A couple years ago I visited this museum and this thing ABSOLUTELY FASCINATED me. I took a couple pictures and sent them to you asking you to make a video. Took awhile, but its very very much appreciated!! -Brody

[@Halo1138]

Gee America, how come your gun has TWO magazines? The US invented a Storm Bolter in 1917.

[@Ajc-ni3xn]

@Theodore Corkrean maybe a little too good, huh?

[@zolafuckass8606]

@@Ajc-ni3xn No such thing as "too good." *MORE DAKKA*

[@anotheruser676]

...he thought 2 barrels was overkill?

[@slb797]

Now imagine if u taped a spare mag to each of the mounted mags....

[@Furzkampfbomber]

@@zolafuckass8606 Well, we can always paint it yellow!

[@aaronsnyder310]

I typically don't comment, but this is outstanding. A truly forgotten weapon, that is also leading edge for it's time. Great find. Great work.

[@IkeanCrusader1013]

So basically the US could have adopted this for their infantry and had a huge firepower advantage over the enemy in WW1 as well as probably started early work on assault rifles. But they just ditched it instead...

[@donjones4719]

I'm just disappointed Winchester didn't try to revive this in the 1930s. I think it would have gotten a lot more interest. Btw, I wonder what this thing weighs. A BAR with removable barrel... but more lightly built due the smaller cartridge?

[@ProphTruth100]

It may not have functioned too well on the ground especially in the mud I'm guessing or even be accurate

[@mr_h831]

Actually this wouldn't have given any U.S soldier much of an advantage. Remember, world war 1 was primarily trench warfare, and MASSIVE, fields inbetween those trenches, deemed, "no mans land." Or maybe no mans land was a specific place, i forget. Anwyay, point is, running across a field with this thing when the other side already has machine gun nests, wouldn't really do much. The only thing that might do something is the incindiary rounds. But even then it still wouldn't be much different from a regular machine gun anyway. Putting this thing on an airplane makes way more sense for the time period.

[@IkeanCrusader1013]

@@mr_h831 I have to disagree, the more light and easily portable machine gun would allow for carrying much more ammo in exchange if you really plan to use it stationary, however the better use would be having said light and portable suppressive weapon used to back up assaulting infantry by suppressing MG nests and infantry, and in defenst it could quickly be moved around a trench if needed. Plus faster to reload than the bulky MGs they had, would be able to employ a similar role as the BAR but with more ammo and leaning more to suppressive fire.

[@mr_h831]

@@IkeanCrusader1013 In theory that sounds good, in practice it wouldn't matter. Take 100 men, give them all machine guns, have then charge a heavily fortified position, they all die on their March there. Lmg's were used in ww1, but, in commando squads. Because that's truly where they were effective. In small man fire teams. Sorry it's just that I happen to know something or two about ww1, it was a sort of hobby of mine for a while. In ww1 tanks weren't around until late into the war. Which means the only thing to back infantry up was still calvary. And in an era with machine guns, calvary was mostly useless, mostly. You can't just arm a buncha guys with machine guns and have them charge at no man's land expecting them to win. They were so entrenched that had the tank not been Invented, this war would've come to one bloody draw. Or one side wins by starving the other. Lmgs wouldn't make that much of a difference. As soon as you were seen you were shot at. Simple as that. Machine guns, bolt actions, sniper rifles, all opened fire from heavily defended positions. Want a more recent example of what that would look like? Dday. Itd look like that.

[@matiasaguayo3175]

So he created an excelent weapon for the wrong role, had he sumitted to the infantry, it would've been more successful.

[@jonathann.5754]

I don't know about that It looks great ams functions well But it's quite complicated for a firearm, having a bunch of triggers and mechanisms that could theoretically malfunction or break during warfare I'd put my money on "it's too complex and expensive"

[@andrewyork3869]

@@jonathann.5754 idk for as complex as it is, there are very few moving parts.

[@andrewmoore7022]

@@wolfofmagdalene92 I think I'd still rather have it over BAR in that scenario

[@ArpaZha]

@@jonathann.5754 yeah it gonna need to be reworked if for infantry so it would be possible

[@davidlacoste]

I can totally see this replacing the BAR or the Chauchat. Or even the basic infantry riffle. I think you would have a logistic issue though with having a different cartridge.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

This is why I love your channel!!! A few years ago I really knew nothing about firearm actions/mechanisms, now I have a much better idea overall. Love from the frozen land of Canada!

[@JasonLihani]

Man, pioneering technologies have the most interesting solutions for technologies that would become common much later. Especially the select-fire. What a 19th-century solution to a 20th century problem. So cool.

[@martentrudeau6948]

Very wild looking gun for 1917, never would have thought that this existed.

[@joshmeads]

I find it strange that there were many examples of semi auto riffles in ww1, yet in ww2 the bolt action was still the predominant firearm.

[@lanceluthor6660]

I think there just wasn't enough time between the wars with recovery from WW1 ,Spanish flu and the great depression. It's why the UK was still using a rimmed cartridge.

[@ratdown5]

The lee Enfield, gets up a fair few rounds down range. Ie the mad minute, a good operator can push 30 something rounds down range in that minute. KZbin it

[@joshmeads]

@@ratdown5 I'm aware of that. It wouldn't be such a disadvantage at long to medium ranges, but if you're in close combat ranges, it wish be a huge disadvantage. You'd get one shot before having to work the bolt and break sight picture, the guy with the M1 Garand gets eight. There's also the matter of ammo capacity.

[@TheBucketSkill]

@@joshmeads ya mad minute really ain't shit. like picture someone practically doing that in a firefight. especially against a mg42 suppression lmfao.

[@WhenDoesTheVideoActuallyStart]

Bolt action is cheap and accurate. They still didn't know how to make cheap auto rifles. Turns out, a hell of a lot of stamping is the answer.

[@aHowToYouTo]

Truly a forgotten weapon that's why I subscribed to this channel

[@DANNYonPC]

Its coming to BF1!!!

[@MrSviggels]

DANNYonPC - Funny seeing you here😄

[@jakovnikolic4502]

Fancy seeing you here.

[@MushroomCloudGaming]

Hi Dan 1, Just waiting for Ian to pay the Seaforth highlander's musuem a visit and tear down a Huot :]

[@PHURHXD]

DANNYonPC NOBODY GIVES A FUCK

[@uglymugsamson3015]

I think this already available in the aircrafts.

[@KameSama77]

When one magazine is not enough, buy BANDIT!

[@draKoowl247]

lol bl2 reference

[@DjRjSolarStar]

Why can't you use the bayonet in the plane? Sky jousting anyone?

[@thatguybrody4819]

you are a japanese pilot flying reconnaissance then all the sudden ride of the valkyries blasts from in front of you and you see a horde of planes with bayonets fixed charging right at you. then a formation of planes form beside you with their bayonets mounted yelling bonzai!

[@TheWineGuy101]

Good idea for a game that, write that down!

[@Jabberwockybird]

Those magnificent men in their flying machine!

[@Karelwolfpup]

this is why I love this channel, just a fascinating weapon

[@onusgumboot5565]

I'm not even really a gun guy. I don't own guns, but these videos are fascinating. I have always been a history buff, so seeing how they did things back in the past is really interesting. Keep up the great work

[@nootnoot558]

Designer:So where do you want to put the magazine well left or right ' ':yes

[@dansable4169]

This channel never disappoints. Excellent presenter, cinematography, and description. Every time I visit this channel, I see an incredible new small arm. Fantastic!

[@SuperPerry1000]

That is, without a doubt, one of the most unique and interesting guns I've ever seen. Odd looks and a few unusual design choices aside, the amount of things it supposedly pioneered is staggering. Imagine if the common frontline soldier used THIS in the trenches. Hell, they could've used the dual-magazine setup to have one mag contain standard ammo and the other contain something more specialised...a bit like the Neosted, UTAS and Kel-Tec shotguns developed today!

[@shaywoodside581]

"Jeez hes flying a bit close isnt he?" "Yeah i know, use the bayonet on him"

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

By far the best firearm channel! Thanks for doing these videos. Excellent job! Ya learn somethin new every day no doubt

[@haitianrefugee8454]

Videos like this are why I subscribed. Thank you you for this treasure brought to light for the masses to appreciate.

[@jdezpaps]

THIS WEAPON IS NOW IN THE CTE PROTOTYPE PHASE FOR BATTLEFIELD 1!! DICE FINALLY DID IT. And part of that decision was definitely because of the hype seen in this video and on reddit. No doubt about it.

[@YCCCm7]

Digging the new thumbnail style, Ian. Super handy.

[@caringancoystopitum4224]

This is actually one of the most interesting weapons I've ever seen. Thanks for showing it!

[@jimmyduncan7650]

Thanks Ian, I really enjoy the videos and the detailed manner in which you describe these rare weapons. So much KZbin content can be somewhat boring because the subject matter is well worn. Your channel is much more interesting to say the least. All the best, Jimmy

[@JonatasAdoM]

*"The enemy is being reinforced with an airship"*

[@iglooproductions]

Wow I thought Burton only made snowboards.

[@TyCetto]

what a beautiful weapon! As always thanks for your informative videos! Much appreciated.

[@meyakabrown4725]

I like the minimalistic look to this one. Great upload as always.

[@amerikhan8507]

Wait, does this mean I should go around and correct all of those sites that say the mkb42/stg44 was the first assault rifle?

[@hardcaselj111]

yes

[@jeffjefferson2676]

This was space age technology at the time. This was before the thompson. I like this one a lot. If they would have looked more into this gun they would have had better guns sooner for sure. Verry cool gun.

[@kajetandziebaj6405]

Man, this is the channel is the best of its kind.

[@Nate_the_Nobody]

I just want to thank you for doing what you do for these videos. I've never even heard of this firearm or a lot of them that you cover and that's cool as shit to see some of the weapons you get ahold of. this channel is pretty educational.

[@ethanworner864]

He should have all the subscribers.

[@darkdanger3901]

CNN: what kind of ar-15 is this?

[@angelr864]

Yes

[@sarcasticnacho473]

Two magazines, it must fire two rounds at once, terrifying

[@patrioticamerican6414]

Dark Danger soo true

[@Realstealfan]

Sarcastic Nacho these so called ‘semi auto rifles’ are actually just zeppelin burning machines in disguise! Since no one owns their own blimp it must be malicious! We need to ban blimps to prevent violence!

[@harlleygurrola8394]

Dark Danger 🤣🤣😂😂

[@BloodyIron]

As always, fabulous work! Seriously interesting rifle.

[@deussalt8108]

One of the coolest guns ive seen you do so far, keep it up

[@MortusArtis]

Great video as always Ian, I wonder if DICE will add this gun to Battlefield 1?

[@Jamz-]

that would be so cool!

[@Jamz-]

+-T-X-M- Let's hope so man.

[@roodei6635]

the reason why they left the French out at release is because since historically they endured most of the war, they're getting a separate DLC for themselves. I swear they better add in an RSC with the French pack or else x'D

[@roodei6635]

+-T-X-M- the pack is free I thought, isn't it?

[@M0torsagmannen]

+ultraboy222 yeah i dont get this either, will be interesting to see how they justify that...

[@Terrorkekx]

Oh gawd...double magazine...double the fun?

[@ItsBodin]

No one was storage so sadly only one fun. Though it looks badass and i eish there where replicas made

[@ItsBodin]

+Kristobro98 wiah*

[@ItsBodin]

+Kristobro98 SOB Wish** also id prefer it if it was .30-06

[@BrainSeepsOut]

Double the hassle :^)

[@ItsBodin]

***** id enjoy the challenge.

[@Ashapplications]

Cool..... and well presented. Thanks Ian.

[@ccengineer5902]

I like the two trigger system. No fiddling with firing modes.

[@electronkaleidoscope5860]

Can't stop imagining an air weapon with a bayonet now. "shit, outta ammo- time to get up close and personal!"

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

I love this weapon inBattlefield 1!!

[@user-zv6yx6yu8t]

Thank you for such cool disassembly and story. I so this thing in video game and woundered how popular they r, but u like opened the the world of it to me, thx!

[@DeclanProud]

How unusual. Fascinating too - love your videos, they're so well spoken amd informative.

[@burnoutteamclubbtcp7283]

the burton LMR is in battlefield 1 now.

[@caseyterrence1606]

The charging handle looks exactly like that of the original AR10.

[@rufio9120]

Fantastic work! I Love your videos displaying firearm history.

[@jimlawrie9334]

Beautiful piece of gunsmithing, simple yet peculiar.

[@Ghost_Of_SAS]

That hole underneath the rear notch sight is just a lightening hole, is that correct?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I believe so, yes.

[@weeeds334]

lightening hole???

[@damiangrouse4564]

+Forgotten Weapons There's a "plunger" protruding from the bolt face. Could that be the trip that releases the firing pin?

[@Mitcchhh]

A lightening hole is used to assist with the common threat that thunder storms pose to troops in open ground. It simply attracts lightening to the gun rather than through the soldiers body. Hope this helps.

[@fjubben]

+Mitcchhh Holy smokes, that is cool. Thank you for telling us this! I imagine a soldier running a cross no-mans land, his coat is soaked, as he desperately takes each step, the wet mud is much audible. The sky is dark and clouded with thunder rumbling above as the only light source for the battlefield together with the muzzle flashes. The flashes of light are reflected in the soldiers gas mask-glasses.

[@SynthLizard8]

It's such a shame you can't fire these old obscure guns.

[@Timothy7Chen]

Shout-out to the Q&A today! Thanks for making me aware of this interesting gun

[@wasatchdan]

I KNEW I didn't make this gun up! I saw it once in an old book of firearms, and years after when I tried to find out the name and the specs, people on different gun forums would just shrug and say they'd never heard of such a thing. Thanks for the video, Ian!

[@35Cypher]

"Fly me closer! I wish to stab at them with my bayonet!" "Shut up Carl!"

[@waynevreeland3141]

HAHAHA!!! OMG!!! I'm friggin' dying over here! You win!

[@scottsmith4204]

Order the air corps to fix bayonets and charge! Super close quarters airplane combat.

[@atiliathefun1812]

I could watch this channel all day.

[@richardkluesek4301]

Ian, as always a great presentation on this singular rifle. To digress on 2 points, just viewed an old video of you firing an MG 34 and MG 42. The opening that you used in those days was much more entertaining, nice background music and depictions of appropriate arms to set the viewer's open mood. Also watched you using an MKS Inland reproduction M1 Carbine in a specialized match. Another reviewer was not as kind as you about the gun in his evaluation. You are one rough 'n ready tough dude, my compliments!

[@CaolanSuibhne]

Battlefield 1 DLC!

[@gadsdenguy4880]

Damn you, EA. Damn you.

[@SONOFAZOMBIE2025]

that is probably why Ian was having trouble with the 2nd mag. It wasn't stiff it just needed a credit card to loosen it. lol the butt stock screw might also work again with another swipe. lol

[@FirstMetalHamster]

You mean like the whole french army?

[@i_nameless_i-jgsdf]

Battlefield isn't like that , mate. IF you buy their DLCs you gonna get everything you paid for.

[@aidenhd2223]

You know all of dice's DLC is free right?

[@hook86]

Hate to be that guy, I'm a big fan of ACTUAL history, but I'd love to see this weapon in BF1 :)

[@Deathnotekeeper]

Hook I bet this will be one of the 20 dlc weapons

[@TRIPN4LIFE]

Hook They will Put it in BF1 . TRUST.

[@nickdanger12345]

Deathnotekeeper Unfortunately we know now that it isn't :'(

[@noahnims3942]

nickdanger12345 they just announced they are going to add this gun!

[@kjenk19]

You are in luck mate

[@paulbalogh4582]

Wow, never heard of this wonderful beast. Nice!

[@gutfinski]

Excellent presentation.

[@dirtbikerswe1979]

3:47 "Fly me closer, I want to hit them with my bayonet" edit: After I made my post I realized half of the comments had same thought as me

[@dirtbikerswe1979]

@@kiereluurs1243 Thumbs up for your thumps up.

[@finntomlin5374]

Anti-Aircraft? How come they didn’t use this for anti-infantry or anti-personnel?

[@genegarren833]

incredible firearm Ian. Very unique and interesting.

[@kenhelmers2603]

Sweet! Very interesting Ian, thanks!

[@Munkylaw]

Pistol grip, bayonet lug, and detachable mags... check. Does it shoot 30 caliber assault clips in half a second?

[@jeredhersh789]

Munkylaw does it have the shoulder thing that goes up? I didn't see one..

[@ronaldraygun5089]

This gun was 25 years ahead of the FG-42, and even foretold it. By 25 years. The true predecessor to the StG44, and later, the real grandpa of the legendary AK-47.

[@sam23696]

This gun is amazing in many ways. It is the perfect analogue of what this channel is about to me, a forgotten weapon that I have never heard about before, but has some great abilities that were never truly realised. I'm not too sure how many guns before this had quick changing ability for different ammo types, but this is a awesome example of forward thinking that not even some modern gun designs have achieved. I don't know why Battlefield 1 hasn't used this yet, and I'm amazed I haven't seen this in any game yet.

[@myearshurtnoone1367]

incredible video i can spell and feel the metal quality love old guns grew up with them they are apart of my blood

[@havareriksen3395]

Great video of an interesting piece of history. Thanks again, Ian. However, I would not go so far as saying it's an assault rifle. Despite the intermediate cartridge, with it's weight, lenght and intended use it had more in common with other light machine guns like the M1918 BAR and the FG-42. Going back to the roots of assault weapons with the german stormtroopers in WWI, they went from M98 to M98k for better manovrebility and less weight, and they used MP18 in substantial qualities. Those, together with hand grenades and flamethrowers were the assault weapons of the day. The submachine guns would be more akin to the role of assault rifle than light machine guns were. But if one wants to find early versions of something like assault rifles, how about Remington model 8? It fits the bill (pun intended) in all but looks. And though initially only available with 5 round magazine, they were retrofitted with larger magazines, like the 20 round magazine on the model 8 used to stop Bonnie and Clyde. The Fedorov Avtomat was probably the earliest attempt on the assault rifle concept that fits all the criteria but still it was used mostly as a light machine gun.The first one that was used more like an assault rifle would have been the Winchester Model 1907, and it fits all the criteria, too. When the french ordered it to use it for trench clearing, they were delivered as selective fire and with high capasity magazines. Though Model 8s were not select fire, their size and intended roles still makes them more akin to assault rifles than light machine guns do. All these guns predate the Winchester Burton M1917, and they are the true ancestry of assault rifles.

[@AttakusZakus]

This is now coming to BF1!

[@foivosapostolos1211]

I learned something new today. Thank you. It is a futuristic design by the way

[@matt.willoughby]

Cool looking gun with the crazy magazine placement.