Elbonian Prototype Hakim LMG

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Elbonia had a brief partnership with Egypt in the mid 1950s through which they acquired some early-production Hakim rifles. These were used along with Israeli surplus MG-34 machine gun barrel jackets to build an experimental Hakim LMG for Elbonian service. The gun was fed by adapted German MG-13 25-round box magazines. Surprisingly, it remained semiautomatic only. The design was fatally flawed because the Hakim barrel was retained, which was far too light in profile to meet the requirements of sustained fire that a light machine gun would be used for. In addition, the Elbonians were apparently unable to acquire MG-34 bipods and instead fabricated their own from RPD bipod legs. The result was a really quite awful bipod.
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[@superdupergrover9857]

Elbonia: the only country to standardize .22 Hornet as their intermediate rifle cartridge. "It's cheaper than 5.56X45mm Nato or 7.62X39mm. Plus, it is far more suitable to hunting small game, so soldiers can better supplement their meager rations. And stop complaining about it being rimmed. The Russians have automatic firearms in rimmed calibers for a century now" -Traitorous defense minister

[@CreepyPastaSalad]

This comment is legendary.

[@ManDuderGuy]

LOL

[@troy9477]

I thought it was the 218 Bee, but the Hornet makes more sense. At least factory ammo is made for the Hornet. Lol

[@muffinman3111]

Elbonia wanted to use the 420x69 cartridge in the ak69-420 assault rifle in fully semi automatic

[@adamdubin1276]

More recently the Elbonian Military standardized on the 7.62x7.62 mm "square" cartridge, supposedly it is very good for executing people who have offended Doug 3 times. Kneebonians certainly don't like them and that is truly all that the Elbonians care about; that their rival does not like to use a square cartridge.

[@Dangerdave373]

Thats the stoney cold face Ian uses when he tells his wife he's not spending another 20k on some French junk. I'm so proud

[@viperscot1]

Yup my thinking too

[@PapaSchultz74]

Looks like you talking about me. 😉. Btw french junk doesn't exists.

[@Dangerdave373]

Each to their own bud . I see a highpower as art as you may see a lebelle

[@jacktehgamer1]

Krazy kripple lebel**

[@nathanboulton2066]

@@PapaSchultz74 as a car mechanic, i can tell you A LOT of french junk exists !!!

[@xjeffsmithx86]

Ian’s poker face is a little too good. Nobody play cards with him.

[@viperscot1]

Agreed 💯

[@KrishnaKumar-ro3pz]

Agreed no poker with Ian

[@TheRogueWolf]

I suspect that somewhere there exists a hard drive full of outtakes for this video with Ian cracking up laughing.

[@BROTRRer]

It's even better than LockPickingLawyer's in the April Fools videos

[@viperscot1]

@@TheRogueWolf yup my thinking too

[@buttonwillowmcbuttonwillow5038]

My grandpa served as part of the Elbonian special forces, and he showed me some pictures of his time in the service. Most of the pictures show him carrying the Hakim LMG, but he was also issued a suppressed Nagant revolver for covert ops.

[@googiegress]

He was lucky; most Elbonian guerillas were equipped with suppressed bayonets.

[@buttonwillowmcbuttonwillow5038]

@@googiegress He said the really lucky ones were the scout snipers, because they were issued scoped obrez mosins.

[@jarmokankaanpaa6528]

In fact, the Nagant would be the one revolver where a supressor makes sense since the neck of the case is completely enclosed by the barrel when fired.

[@SidneyBroadshead]

@@jarmokankaanpaa6528 Soviet scouts had M95 Nagants fitted with a Maxim silencer designed and fitted by Mitin Brothers (Bratya Mitiny). They were made from 1931 to about 1945?

[@theinstitute1324]

@@jarmokankaanpaa6528 I think the joke here was more about the fact that it's a really underpowered revolver, woefully outdated, and has like a 27lb or something DA trigger pull, so basically it sucks. Most people know the Nagant and that it is one of the few gas seal revolvers in existence.

[@GARDENER42]

"The national bird of Elbonia is the Frisbee..." Tells us all we need to know really.

[@buttonwillowmcbuttonwillow5038]

It's also their national sport

[@refusefntk]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Momo_Kawashima]

I wanna discover a new species of bird only to call it Frisbee.

[@ianfinrir8724]

The leading cause of death in Elbonia is no longer the Black Plague.

[@MaMikWe]

It's also called the "Frisbird"

[@bluekestral8316]

I love how far this joke has gone

[@branimir1982]

still waiting for Drach to do a navy part of Elbonian history! much interest in this weird but lovely county! ELBONIANS NEVER DIE!

[@viking1236]

@@branimir1982 check his last livestream

[@branimir1982]

@@viking1236 omg oomog omg dudeeeee, im running!!!! thnx!!!

[@doesntmatter5857]

Please enlighten me, I have not been around the channel long enough to get many jokes but would love to be in the know. Not trolling, I seriously want to know.

[@surplusplanet5481]

@@doesntmatter5857 same lol

[@Outerwebs]

Friendship ended with France - Elbonia is now Ian's best friend!

[@scottr291]

Underrated comment

[@Bigl00z]

Why France ?

[@fire_tower]

Served for Elbonia as a PMC back in '56, saw quite a few locals toting these. They had nothing but good things to say about the guns.

[@CanuckWolfman]

Did you run into Roland? I heard that mad Thompson gunning son-of-a-bitch cut his teeth in the Elbonian wars before he headed off for Biafra.

[@corvusboreus2072]

I was a military advisor to the Elbonian special forces during the late 40s. There were numerous complaints from troops in the field that the bayonet lugs were incompatible with their sabres.

[@nolanolivier6791]

Mad Mike Hoare and Jacques Schramm say hi...

[@thomasvanstraelen5848]

"Gun occasionally fires very good !"

[@fire_tower]

@dick_kickem 420 I bet you can't even find Elbonia on a map.

[@tinnturps]

Fun fact: Elbonia supplies like 80% of the worlds lithium and potassium.

[@cia7832]

Elbonia number one exporter of potassium all other countries have inferior potassium

[@davidyegiazaryan3417]

@@cia7832 Elbonia, Elbonia you very nice place

[@cwg9238]

all other countries are run by little girls

[@climberly]

Sounds like Elbonia needs america to give it some freedom....

[@treyebillups8602]

Cool, when does it get the free of charge CIA-instigated military coup for countries with lots of natural resources?

[@IncredibleMD]

The only thing Elbonians like more than speed holes are front sites angled at 45 degrees and random hex screws.

[@davidtyorke]

110% sure that the Elbonian ordinance chief was named, "Bubba".

[@TEIN-qi3ie]

Do you mean traditional elbonian windage adjustment, an the safety to prevent unauthorized disassembly? Those features were in the machine shop diagrams which sadly got destroyed when someone moped the shop floor.

[@matt-tait]

No matter where you stand in Elbonia the wind always blows from right to left, so they adjusted the front sight to compensate for that. Ingenious

[@TammoKorsai]

Still better than that Dremel-crafted AK with the hacked-up bolt.

[@limpetarch98k]

Anything else would be better.

[@DK-nv9zu]

What?! I thought that thing was cool. Some dude's pointless side project no doubt. Or maybe it was used as a practical joke and issued to new recruits instead of a real AK

[@kingquesadilla7713]

10/10 would not want to be shot by either.

[@rancidpitts8243]

@@limpetarch98k I don't know about that. They started out with a functioning weapon, they could always back track to a standard Hakim.

[@benjamingood8511]

@@DK-nv9zu You made that fucking monstrosity, didn't you!?

[@Angrymuscles]

It's Ian's clean-shaven blonde evil twin brother that did this to Elbonia. We call him E'un.

[@rocky-nm5wf]

LIQUID?!

[@JanglePangle]

There's even an "Elbonian Guns" playlist now.

[@Seth9809]

Where?

[@threeleafclover6003]

@@Seth9809 in with all the other ones thats how I found this video a week before everyone else

[@crazymazzei2]

Absolute legend

[@tarnvedra9952]

"Hail, Hail Elbonia, a land I didn't make up"

[@ShootTheAlarmClock]

I see you're a person of culture as well :D

[@BenSmith-vj7vh]

Since 1940ish.

[@fishin_da_hood5020]

Elbonia, elbonia! Uber alles! Uber alles in de welt!

[@ianfinrir8724]

Viva Las Elbonia!

[@batesestabrooks3774]

"Hail, hail, Hailstone!"

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

As the US Ambassador to Zendia in 1998, I once visited the Elbonian capital city (Funnibone). The country was quite impoverished; they had electricity in the capital for only about four hours per day, which was provided by large banks AA batteries recharged by solar panels. I remember the food being particularly unpalatable.

[@rangefinder3538]

Ian, I have seen pictures of Elbonian army cooks carrying Nambu surrender pistols converted to chamber the 5.7 spitfire cartridge. I was told by a credible source that they were issued by the Elbonian defence ministry to protect the Elbonian Catering Corp from the rest of the Elbonian Army. Can you confirm?

[@flightlesschicken7769]

Rechambering a Nambu aside, it would probably act not unlike an FN 5.7 pistol today but more powerful

[@tarjei99]

It is not only the German Army that went to collect supplies with pistols in hand.

[@noecarrier5035]

I can confirm this is true. My great-grandpap brought back such a Nambu from the European theatre. Even had a duffel cut in it. They only let him have a shaving bag as a duffel, you see, because he was one of the little people, so he had to cut it down! I sure do miss him. He died in a mysterious unexplained firearms accident while cleaning that very gun, actually...

[@GMCoJoL51]

I can confirm after looking through my Elbonian armed forces reference book. Not only did they carry those, but the Army dentist’ used Wauser pistols chambered in 32 rim. Root canals and pulling teeth were easy once they adopted them.

[@jic1]

You're mistaken. The Nambus were actually chambered in 5mm RRM.

[@peterturner2339]

One of the great things about Elbonian arms is that you know they'll do well in mud tests. How could they not when Elbonia is 100% comprised of mud?

[@leops1984]

April came early, I see.

[@davidweikle9538]

This is a serious channel that covers serious topics.

[@karljermunson9910]

Or late as the case may be:)

[@littleworkshopofhorrors2395]

@@karljermunson9910 doesn't Elbonia have two Aprils , so has two April 1sts

[@karljermunson9910]

@@littleworkshopofhorrors2395 well then I guess we're both right

[@mlefebvre007]

It's to get around KZbin's policy against gunsmithing. On the Forgotten Weapons website, Ian wrote that from now on, all custom rifles will be called Elbonian made to get around that.

[@Tomi.762]

Got deployed to Elbonia as a part of a training programme back in 1996. So many of these things were still in so much use. Plus I saw a kid in the programme no older than 9 wielding a Mosin-Nagant in 577-450 Henry Martini.

[@MrShtbrick]

I must have been living under a rock as Ive never heard of Elbonia. Edit: i fell for Ian's fictitious country story.

[@CostaCola]

Elbonia started as the generic stand-in for a former Soviet Bloc country in Dilbert comics

[@hormonuspubertetus5230]

Shout out to my elbonian brothers, my thoughts and prayers are with you

[@davidbrennan660]

As long as there is a need for Mud, there will be an Elbonia. Stay strong Brothers and Sisters.

[@luisnunes2010]

They'll need a lot of prayers...

[@NoxiousButtSpray]

hey there, fellow Elbonians

[@galdrekweigandkahal7916]

The mud is our way dear brother, prays for all of you

[@hormonuspubertetus5230]

In the mud we are one

[@jonminer9891]

Hi, Ian. Thanks so much. I am outlining chapter 14 of the History of the Elbonain Armed Forces. Your video clarifies some of the more mystifying aspects of how the conversion of the MG-13 via the Hakim was accomplished. I had no idea that the Israelis helped finance it. Now I can sort out the changes involved going forward from the Dreyse Model 1918 heavy water-cooled machine gun to the Hakim LMG. What a maze of threads brought this gun to fruition. It is a pity that workmanship failed them at the finish line. Too little, too late, too sloppy. Thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!

[@tenchraven]

Wait, what? The Elbonians are using heavy water to cool an MG? Do theirs go Pu-pu-pu-pu rather than Pew-pew-pew-pew?

[@its1110]

The Elbonians likely had big problems developing MGs... they, of course, choose mud cooling.

[@halikstears6307]

@@tenchraven Well, as the Defense Minister clearly stated in his memo on the subject, heavy water's increased mass gives it much greater thermal capacity per volume, making it a far superior coolant.

[@dangerszewski9816]

@@tenchraven The Elbonians did have a heavy water plant, it's not sure if they hoped to actually develop a nuclear bomb or just extort some aid in exchange for abandoning the program, but it never amounted to much because it was discovered that though initial tests on mass fractions showed promise that they were concentrating deuterium... it turns out a technician had failed to replace a water filter and they didn't have heavy water, they had hard water. Proposals for a so-called "hard water reactor" never came to much owing to a US export ban on lime-away.

[@Tackleberry117]

Bought the Elbonian shirt and poster before the halfway mark 😎 I swear if Ian declares his house the micronation of Elbonia I'll buy a title of nobility...

[@garchamp9844]

“Elbonia” sounds like a nation I would found in a drunk-ass friday night D&D game.

[@googiegress]

Elbonia is what happens when enough people get together and roll 1s at the same time.

[@TheMalek_CH]

Fun Fact: The Swiss Armys major fictional exercise-scenario features "Elbonia" as the unstable northern neighbor of Switzerland. A short summary of the scenario: A coup of right nationalists leads to a civil war in Elbonia. Many oppositional Elbonians flee to Switzerland and the Swiss government tries to make peace in Elbonia. But instead of peace, Switzerland itself is now a target for the Elbonian nationalists. Elbonian militias and terrorists start a hybrid war in Switzerland to assassinate key-politicians or destroy key- infrastructure in order to strengthen their power and international influence. If you d'like to know more, just ask. Although my English beeing not very good :)

[@brunoratto253]

..... Do the Swiss really train for the rise of the Fourth Reich?! Like, really?! That's both awesome and hilarious! 😂 And absolutely unnescesary given the historical unreliabily of elbonian firearms 😁

[@Braun30]

On the southern border we had a restless country called Padania. This before a political party in Northen Italy decided to push for secession of their part of the country to be called Padania.

[@allenrobinson7855]

Ours was Paloma at leadership development course in the US. I was tried for simulated war crimes for tackling a defenseless Paloman. Very war like that Paloma.

[@Braun30]

@@allenrobinson7855 You can never trust those Palomans, give them some leeway and they are at your throat in no time.

[@TheDraco877]

How far is it from Atropia do you know?

[@talscorner3696]

I love Ian's absolutely straight face throughout the whole thing xD

[@Davemte34108]

Oh, how many takes...

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@Davemte34108 all of them.

[@andrewgates8158]

Go watch pride pedjudice and zombies, then.

[@nchunter8918]

..... I went from "ha, Ian is really going a long way with this elbonia joke" To "wait... Elbonia is a joke right? Or was that just a similar sounding name that was made up?" Nice job Ian lmao

[@Quetzocoatl22]

"Elbonia" is a fictional country originally used in old Dilbert cartoons. Any time Ian uses it, it means he talkng about something that is a joke or bullshit.

[@Olson323]

Change 2 letters in word Elbonia and you will find its real world shady counterpart

[@strayblackcatsmeow]

Elbonia is quite real. New York has sister city status. I was there for the commemoration ceremony in 1987. Pretzels and hummus was a fad for a couple of years.

[@FBobby]

Oh It's no longer a joke. It's a Meta.

[@bubba200874426]

@@Quetzocoatl22 KZbin gets pissy if you so much as mention a firearm could possibly be made or altered by someone outside a manufacturer. Yes, this makes exactly as much sense as teaching abstinence as sex education.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

The Hakim LMG had been assembled by Tuco in a gun shop of the old west.

[@nicknumber1512]

I'll put it this way...as guns go, this isn't the Good or the Bad.

[@tomculley2250]

other youtubers: buy my merch! Ian: here's a 15 minute sketch I wrote using a cool junk-gun I found. oh by the way theres merch

[@philtown6343]

This thorough explanation and visual representation of the trials of Elbonia moved my heart and I had to order the shirt. The sadness without a complete teary breakdown and the professional composure throughout this video is worth the cost of bringing awareness to the world of the existence of Elbonia and its compatriots worldwide. Thank you Ian for bringing the light to such a dark period in history and for your professionalism.

[@Drrolfski]

My first reaction was: Elbonia, isn't that from the Dilbert comic? Lol

[@SergeantPsycho]

Mine too.🤣

[@pauldarling330]

Same.

[@RandomUser-cx9kn]

Now, what weapons North Elbonia got, that's the mistery (I would be fairly amused for a selection of the worst Comblock gats)

[@Drrolfski]

@@Vespuchian Of course that's the joke, it's just not the kind of joke/reference you expect on a historical firearms channel

[@kevinsullivan3448]

Elbonia was brought to the world stage by Bloom County.

[@SNOUPS4]

Luckily there is a disclaimer in the end for people watching randomly this video in ten years hahaha!

[@AlricOfRahls]

Which everyone would miss because they clicked away at the beginning of the merch section.

[@tythosdelta2650]

Yeah, honestly throughout the video I was trying to find Elbonia and was so confused when I found nothing and by the time I searched up “forgotten weapons Elbonia” and got an answer, it was the end of the video and the disclaimer was on screen

[@KnightRider378]

I found this video completely by random, and goddamnit, this is why I love Ian.

[@SuperVistaprint]

if you know and love ian, why are you not a subscriber? Oo

[@KnightRider378]

@@SuperVistaprint Oh no, I am. I was looking through his playlists for another video when I saw this one. It had an older upload date and was unlisted at the time, so I was like, "what the hell?"

[@SuperVistaprint]

KnightRider378 ah yeah, i get that often, the „open to public/go live“ of KZbin is broken AF. Or if they are viewable for patrons i get them not in my Abos, but in recommended as many of likeminded viewers watched it- before it is mend to be accessible to me due the Abo feature

[@MarvinT0606]

"Most people rejected Gun Jesus's message, they hated Gun Jesus because he told them about Elbonia" *-Galil 4.16*

[@ManDuderGuy]

"In those days there was a lack of innovative firepower/And the lord did send his only begotten francophile to bring light to the darkness/To bring short-recoil and .50BMG" -2nd Browning, 30.6

[@wikieditspam]

IAN 416 SAYS I WHIPPED YOUR ASS

[@marcamant7258]

Galil 5.56 instead. Isn't it?

[@megrimlockmesmart.1200]

@@marcamant7258 No... Galil 7.62... You should spend more time reading the Holy scriptures of our Lord Gun Jesus!

[@marcamant7258]

oh I'm very sorry although the 5.56mm is Model 392 brought and 7.62mm is Model 323S . Thus hiw Gun Jesus provides peace upon everone's mind ond opinions

[@JaesWasTaken]

Ian, the fact that you were able to keep a straight face throughout the video is a testament to your dedication to this meme and I love every second of it.

[@michaelmancinidesign]

Ahh elbonia, where mud testing is the most important part of trials...

[@christianlee1693]

Best comment

[@dwaneanderson8039]

Where every trial is a mud test.

[@windwalker5765]

Where *your whole life* is a mud test...

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Elbonia, where even mud is mud tested.

[@douglassorren9798]

The Elbonians even debate the results if the firearm succeeds cause the ordinance department staff has preferences despite results.

[@d_rooster]

You know what I love about your videos (besides the technical and practical stuff)? You don't talk about ideology. Those of us not from the States really enjoy the neutrality and absence of salty comments about other countries the weapons originate from. No prejudice, just arms. Thank you sir.

[@445supermag]

Every day is April 1st in 2020, so this is fine.

[@Waty8413]

I was hoping it was 4/1/21 when I saw this video.... ....Nope still 2020.

[@its1110]

Someone has finally found a logical explanation for 2020.

[@charleswalter2902]

Nothing but surprises this year aye?

[@chrisinstasis7986]

@@its1110 I heard the virus originated in Elbonia, but the Elbonian Intelligence Agency is so sophisticated (it must be since almost no one has ever heard of the nation) that it managed to pin the blame on poor old China.

[@its1110]

@@chrisinstasis7986 :) :)

[@raics101]

This takes me back, my unit actually got a few of these for field testing back when I served in Elbonian army. It was light, comfortable and a surprisingly solid shooter, easily able to hit a lemon-sized target from 500 yards, that was the military testing standard at the time, we classified the guns as 1-lemon, 2-lemon and so on by the size of the groups they could make. We ultimately had to stop the testing prematurely as they sent one magazine for each, and the quartermaster's dog had at them because they resembled the '49-issue chocolate bars we used to get in our rations.

[@windstormscr3222]

I love this presentation, and the shirt. The fact @The_Chieftain is in on the joke with the armored corps just makes things even better. A fictional History of the Elbonian post-war years would be an exceptionally funny book, and full of opportunities. Just need to get Drach in for the AF and someone for the Navy....

[@JitterEye]

This was absolutely brilliant, looking forward to hearing about more "Elbonian" firearms in the future.

[@Gojiro7]

"Hail Hail Elbonia, a land I didn't make up!!" ~ Futurama reference

[@zeos386sx]

All is possible when the noble mud of our homeland is at stake.

[@jasongarland3165]

Ian sir, you win the Internet today. How you managed to completely deadpan this one is remarkable.

[@drmaudio]

Awesome. I'm a bit of an Elbofile, so this great to see. These videos are so important least the lessons and rich culture they offer are never learned or forgotten.

[@PotGooiSuiderland]

I just spent most of this video vigorously googling Elbonia and coming up with nothing but loads of confusion.....Well done.

[@JohnADoe-pg1qk]

I found something, but it was confusing. And I don't know much about Dilbert. Some real (historic?) information on this LMG would have been nice.

[@Lazarus7000]

Elbonia was originally created for the "Dilbert" comic strip so that a country could be portrayed as a backwards place without naming any real land and offending them. It has become a sort of metasyntactic variable for a place under discussion for abstract purposes of nation-building, sort of like the "crime" of "Mopery" in the legal world, or widgets in manufacturing, where the thing itself is not relevant but things around it are. Of late there have been several military history channels doing takes on sabotaging the Elbonian defense by way of procuring arms that look impressive but are either simply terrible in practice or suffer from some hidden limitation that will hinder them in the future. I believe the earliest one that I have seen was regarding aeroplanes from Hush Kit, with Ian's video coming some time later, then The_Chieftain did one for fighting vehicles, and Drachinifel did one for warships in one of his Q&As, as I believe also the previous ones were all in Q&A videos save Hush Kit's.

[@MarvinCZ]

@@Lazarus7000 Hush Kit was working with a different country, Hushkonia.

[@MarvinCZ]

The first appearance of Elbonia on Forgotten Weapons was in this Q&A: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWKcqmaQjKiVhMU With a follow-up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHyqkGaLhbuEh5o

[@Lazarus7000]

@@MarvinCZ Ah yes this is correct now I think about it.

[@Andrewbert109]

Definitely one of the best FW videos in a long time, I always love the historic accuracy presented in videos like these, especially when it comes to obscure nations like Elbonia.

[@shawnr771]

Bent front sight. Elbonian windage adjustment, just bend it.

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

I thought that was for shooting around corners..hehe

[@Beowulf25]

@@Ashphinchtersayswhat Makes sense. Since the bullets always hit where the sight is pointed, you can change the bullet trajectory by moving the sight. :)

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

@@Beowulf25 😁

[@shakerson]

Elbonian stereotypes are really offensive. We aren't all poor idiots, you racist.

[@corvusboreus2072]

I believe that range adjustment was achieved by wedging various short sticks of differing diameters under the rear sight.

[@davidchurch5932]

Just when you thought the joke was done... We've had the Chieftains update on armour, we should really get Drachinifel's update on the wet and briny. It'd make a heck of a documentary.

[@davidkenworthy2403]

I was getting ready to Google "Elbonia?" "Where is Elbonia?" Thanks for the clarification at the end! Good job, you deserve an award from the "Elbonia Historic Society! "

[@ahmadkhalil1708]

So where is it ?

[@sauceboss8483]

This was just an audition tape for the next John Wick movie, it shows off just how good of an actor Ian is lol

[@andrewgates8158]

Dang it. They better put Ian in the final john wicked movie.

[@billythepigeon7345]

I've seen high precision engineering, and I've seen half arsed bodge jobs, but Elboinan engineering is just something in its own class altogether.

[@billythepigeon7345]

@@Gallowglasser the Ethiopians built the base rifle, but it was the Elbonians that carried out the modifications and developed the prototype. I think credit, or some might say blame, lies with the Elbonians here.

[@johnthomas7517]

Except for that last 10 seconds, you could sell this story cold. The work is excellent.

[@dansharpe2364]

I'm listening to the the Dead Kennedy's classic "Holiday in Elbonia" as I watch this.

[@jonprince3237]

One small correction, the curved front sight blade was deliberate to offset for the constant left to right cross wind that blows in Elbonia, due to its unique topography. Which also uniquely means that Elbonian flags always fly perpendicular to the flag pole, historically giving rise to the old Elbonian saying, that roughly translates as "If the flags ever fall, Elbonia will soon follow", though technically there are no direct equivalents for the words "fall" or "flag" in the Elbonian dialect.

[@silverbackseven7]

Man, this was the perfect April fools joke. Even more perfect by it not being April fools

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

Have to admit it was so well done I had to check myself on the geography. 😆

[@mattalward3777]

Probably easier to say the line about the traitorous defense minister, when you are not said traitorous defense minister

[@joshuabuilds3051]

I really appreciate how you chose to briefly mention the shirt and continuing the video. That is how everyone should do it imo.

[@BRBMrSoul]

Say what you want, no Elbonian gun has EVER failed the mud test

[@ianfinrir8724]

Most of them only work when covered in mud.

[@charlesadams1721]

Ian, so you've thrown down the gauntlet to Nicholas Moran so he'll have to come up with a 'new' Elbonian series of armored vehicles?

[@TheWolfsnack]

36 hp VW armoured cars?

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

IIRC The Chieftain went for the Comet as key purchase of the Elbonian Government, because while seemingly a good buy, there was no room for further development. So any upgrade of capability means buying a while new fleet of tanks! Or you upgrade it in the manner of the Charioteer (See David Fletcher's 5 worst British tanks for his opinion on that!).

[@kentvesser9484]

And Drachinifel is now going to have to provide drawings of the ships of the Elbonian Navy. Somehow I think that Elbonia should be a landlocked country, so their Navy is actually one of the best wastes of money as it is based on wishful thinking that they will eventually seize a port and then move all the ships built in Elbonia by use of the world's largest train to the sea.

[@DavidCowie2022]

Kent Vesser Elbonia had a port when it was born, but that port was seized by its hated neighbour Ruritania shortly after the ships were delivered. This was especially unlucky for Elbonia because the Navy minister was much better at his job than the small arms guy, and they paid all that money for good ships, only for the Ruritanians to get them.

[@TheWolfsnack]

@@jon-paulfilkins7820 ......what the Elbonians expected was Comet tanks.....what they actually got was 1963 Mercury Comet station wagons with hand crank windows...once again, Elbonia got screwed.

[@martinh2783]

Ians next book should be a history of Elbonian small arms development. :)

[@fg42t2]

Hell it would probably sell well.

[@Grimshak81]

Ok Chieftain, when we’ll get the Elbonia 2-man-heavy-tank t-shirt to complete the set?!?

[@FirstDagger]

We also need to get "Uniform History" to do an episode on their camo pattern.

[@zadtheinhaler]

@@FirstDagger And The History Guy for their head coverings.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

I picked the IS-3 for Elbonia. I figured it was easier to 'sell' to the Elbonian procurements office.

[@pguth98]

@@TheChieftainsHatch what a thoughtful guy

[@tlw4237]

​@@TheChieftainsHatch IS-3? Surely only the Vickers Light Tank Mk 6 is a suitable vehicle for Elbonia’s armoured force. The conclusive selling points being that it’s cheap and was used in substantial numbers by one of the armies that won WW2. So it must be good.

[@pops55650]

Wow, when I was young, I had a Hakim I “sporterized” bubba style. But not this bad. Although it took me 30 years to find the parts to undo the damage. It is now back in the condition as it was issued, as all surplus rifles should be lol

[@NukaCola77]

I just got my black Elbonia T-Shirt yesterday. Wearing it proudly to work today. It's awesome and awe inspiring. Also, the Elbonian motto describes my job well: we do our best with the worst.

[@PURPLECATDUDE7734]

I love how this joke has taken on a life of its own.

[@douggallagher8809]

I want to see the documentation of this "unicorn" Must say one of the better fake guns out there and one of the better uses of my patreon dollars, lol

[@Pcm979]

Yeah, I'd like to know where this wonderfully silly thing really came from.

[@johnmorgan1629]

Crafted with love and skill with all the bits C&R found under the bench.

[@devikwolf]

The MG13 magazine is easily adapted to fit into the Hakim and is a fairly common adaptation. I considered picking up one or two for my own Hakim.

[@tarmaque]

I've got small change that says this was a movie prop. From where and for what is unclear. However there were lot of cheap WWII movies in the 50's and 60's that used this kind of fake because it was cheaper than buying an authentic German machine gun. It might also be from a TV program like _Rat Patrol_ or something. It could even have been from a more recent production in Africa, which has a surprisingly sophisticated movie production culture. Particularly in Nigeria (the so-called "Nollywood") which has the largest film industry in Africa. (Really true. Look it up.)

[@mfree80286]

@Howie Felterbush It's the strangest thing, this truck was driving with it's doors open, hit a bump, and this crate falls out......

[@viktordyakovych441]

That’s a nice piece of Elbonian craftsmanship

[@thomascoffin3292]

I remember running boatloads of these down the Brachial River (main supply artery) back in '57. Good times.

[@dandesnoyers9532]

I, for one, am truly enjoying this look at this very rare Elbonian military firearm. If only we in Canaderp/Kanuckistan could own something of such historical importance.

[@35Cypher]

In 50 years theres gonna be a serious book written about this mysterious lost nation.

[@edm240b9]

This is absolutely one of the best things to come out of this damn quarantine.

[@Fastwinstondoom]

Props for keeping a straight face throughout!

[@jakesolver4359]

Once referred to as “the elbow of Europe”

[@BunkerFox]

now referred to as the knee of Europe

[@marekotec2540]

*a famous mexican mountain called El Boner

[@Jimmy_Watt]

Just ordered a shirt. Cool video, and I've been absorbing your videos and recommending them to my friends for years. Thanks.

[@noecarrier5035]

The pride of the Elbonian people has been gravely wounded, Jesus of Galil. Pray you do not insult us... a third time.

[@k_jahnel754]

Jesus of Galil, i'm legit dying

[@doesntmatter5857]

I laughed harder than I should have.

[@capt.raptor4650]

heheh, _elbow people._

[@wildward93]

This is too good XD

[@es6460]

Why didn’t this go out in April fool’s, amazing!

[@sloth7ds]

You’d think that Elbonia would be full of people showing off how well AKs work when covered in their finest Elbonian Mud.

[@sloth7ds]

Probably a significant portion of their tourism though.

[@joebob502]

The bipod is no mistake. It was designed to be field-equipped as a slingshot. Capable of hurling various nuts and berries.

[@jamesk370]

I look forward to learning more about Elbonian arms history, especially in the later cold war era 👍

[@dobypilgrim6160]

Hilarious. I see April Fool's Day was delayed by Covid 19.

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

"Hi, I am Ed Winchester straight from Elbonian capital. We are here to interview famous weapons designer Major (ret) Shortcomings." *Massive demonstrations outside of the house. But not against Major, instead of support. Riot Police lazily strolling around.* "Major Shortcomings? What is your response to recently released American video about weapon you designed?" "I....I...I did best I could do. I told them to buy surplus guns, but no. Instead "we must have our own design. Our national pride demands it." I told them it was stupid idea, but no nonono." "And if I understood correctly, it never went to production?" "Yes. All that time and effort for nothing. All I wanted to do, is design nice .22lr rifles for youth..." *Breaks down crying* "Do you know that weapon collectors are scrambling to get the few guns that were made? I believe the term they use is "Frankengun" and are willing to pay premium?" *Perks up face brightening* "They are?" "Yes. I believe you have mail from RIA waiting in your inbox." *Runs to computer, slamming the door shut* "Hi, I am Ed Winchester, and in the next episode we will interview Elbonian Special Forces about their adoption of new handgun. Rogak."

[@GARDENER42]

Close. The Major's name was Shortt-Cummings, father of Jim Shortt, a Mittyesque character who is viewed with awe by past & present members of the British Army.

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

@@GARDENER42 I stand corrected. However, there is some debate which one changed their name, as not to be associated with other. (Oh yes, I know Baron Castleshortt.)

[@GARDENER42]

​@@Taistelukalkkuna Twas the old Baron who changed his name. Apparently his last words were "that bloviating little squit will be the death of me", moments before succumbing to a bout of apoplexy.

[@rileyosteen6470]

This has to be the highest effort joke i’ve ever seen.

[@Rileymanification]

Well said fellow Riley.

[@18robsmith]

How Ian keeps a straight face... I'd love to see more of the out takes from this series :-)

[@Sim.Crawford]

Im absolutely buying that shirt. This joke has gotten way out of hand and I love it.

[@B9oyd]

I have no idea how you did all this with a straight face xD

[@raics101]

Retakes, a lot of retakes.

[@Deridus]

Poker. Definately poker.

[@Vagabond671]

Other historians: With great power comes great responsibility Ian: Elbonia *Edit: I spelled Gun Jesus' name wrong and I have failed him my brothers.

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

Ian*

[@davidweikle9538]

Commit seppuku

[@corvusboreus2072]

The Elbonian version of the proverb is: "with great power comes boundless opportunity"

[@markfergerson2145]

All fall short of the perfection of Gun Jesus.

[@zarb88]

You must recite 30 John Mose’es and 20 Oliver Winchester’s.

[@ComradeBenedict]

It's almost like a blind man tried telling a deaf man about the Iwo Jima Stinger

[@Cow-Moth-With-A-CRT-Head]

Amusingly, it is with this video that I finally understand how guns cause the bolt to actually do what it needs to do after firing a round

[@Steve_I]

My collector dad has a beautiful hakim and also an Egyptian fn49. Love seeing familiar guns I grew up with.

[@vibeslide]

And he's pulling it off without even giggling once.

[@davidbrennan660]

Chieftain needs to review the surviving examples of era Elbonian Armoured Fighting Vehicles, he high lighted on his channel.

[@andrewgates8158]

Baja VW bug with antique wood stove front door panels armor l.

[@purpleYamask]

It's really hard to march in all that mud.

[@emillime7943]

“Boot on the ground Dust in the air Holding the line with a solemn stare Under Elbonian skyyyyys they stand tall and brave…”

[@josemfernandeza5979]

I can't wait to see what sniper or dessignated marksman rifles Elbonai developed.

[@reticulatedspline5733]

No shit! I actually have a Hakim and saw pics of this on the internet. The Mag conversion is something I'm working on but I'd love to be able to put an MG 34 frontend on the thing, thought I was the only one who saw those pics of this Hakim on the internet.

[@ZMacGregor]

Man you really managed to stay clean looking at a gun made entirely of mud

[@philipkeohane2652]

I’m holding out for the Elbonian Left Handed Liberation Front patch.

[@MaxToasty]

This delivery is GOLD! I was completely taken in.

[@nickiribarren6189]

If the internet didn't exist, Ian could talk about a county that doesn't exist and nobody would be the wiser. His poker face is amazing!