Afghan Schlegelmilch Carbine from the Kabul Arsenal

[@noahcount7132]

This rifle is a textbook example of a FORGOTTEN WEAPON. Well done, Ian!

[@bololollek9245]

At least in the west, probably not in central asia

[@georgewhitworth9742]

@@bololollek9245 With a KZbin series based in the west, makes sense

[@georgegordonbrown9522]

@@bololollek9245 Have you watched the video? Probably one of a few remaining examples of a batch of a few (maybe two) dozens to have ever be produced. One that sufaced just by chance...

[@skinisdelicious3365]

Probably a few tuskan raiders out there still using this gun

[@patricksullivan2261]

A type of rifle Ian has never seen before, it must have been like a late Christmas for him!

[@benholroyd5221]

That just confirms it isn't French.

[@Kentucky_Caveman]

or maybe a very early christmas

[@benholroyd5221]

Anyway. Isn't Christmas for Gun Jesus just his birthday?

[@taggartlawfirm]

“Gunjesusmas” it’s a Gunjesusmas miracle!

[@blend43]

Haven't heard him so excited in ages...

[@Lomi311]

This Schlegelmilch guy has popped up in several episodes from C&Rsenal too. Seems to have been a pretty successful designer for one you hardly ever hear about.

[@BleedingUranium]

Which is a shame, because he has an awesome name.

[@LUR1FAX]

@@BleedingUranium Sounds like some kind of milk to me.

[@RokuroCarisu]

@@LUR1FAX It basically translates to "mallet milk"; an antiquated term for cream, and is a pretty weird and rare name to have in post-medieval Germany.

[@theinstitute1324]

And this rifle system is pretty darn cool if you ask me. Great all-around design that seemed go focus on being intuitive, which wasn't always a big consideration at the time. Imagine if this guy helped design the SMLE!

[@M0butu]

@@RokuroCarisu Most likely Austrian in origin.

[@WhatIfBrigade]

This rifle says horse calvary to me: pistol grip, tab to prevent the clip from dropping, no safety. Seems easy to operate with the other hand on the reins.

[@brunoratto253]

It was meant to be used in Afghanistan: large somewhat-open terrain with rocky outcrops all over and very few railroads. Travel by horse was the best option befor the introduction of the jeep, which the locals knew very well. Pretty sure a large number of the Emir's forces were excellent riders, and has access to great horses. A cavalry carabine not only was a good idea, it might have been their first choice.

[@theinstitute1324]

@@brunoratto253 Basically, every rifle they had took after the Jezail prior to the automobile.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

​@@brunoratto253Afghanistan was famous for their horses and the men who rode them.

[@PepeLepew-rm9ft]

Movie ,"the horseman Omar" Sharif,Leigh Taylor Young set in sixties or seventies and interesting culture eye-opener.Things have gone kaboom in Kabul for a long time.

[@ThePerfectRed]

"A lot of money and an interest in new guns" - sounds just like me, except for the part with the money.

[@Blei1986]

both fits (more or less) to me ...but i live in *germany* ,the most unfunny country ever :-(

[@MrJest2]

@@Blei1986 Oh, I don't know - some of us think Germany is pretty funny... ;-)

[@VosperCDN]

It's literally the only one in known existence ... it's amazing to think how it ended up passing through various owners hands without becoming lost to time.

[@lances4803]

It was amazing to see what was available for ale in the bazaars of Afghanistan. Whoever brought it back, got very lucky.

[@rflameng]

To end up in the hands of Ian... Obviously!

[@gunsnchoses8309]

@@lances4803 agreed. I wish I had brought more home, I only came back with a Lebel and I kick myself every day for not bringing home some of the weirder stuff. I didn't know what I was looking at at the time!

[@lances4803]

@@gunsnchoses8309 The problem was that Customs knows to look for rifles old enough to be antiques. I think the Dari writing confused them, or it was very early on before strict procedures were in place, or smuggled. Any way it that it happened, good for the guy who got it home.

[@gunsnchoses8309]

@@lances4803 that wasn't an issue for me, this was back in 12/13 though. Everything in the bazaars, weapons-wise, could come home.

[@asdfaljkshfalrsgha]

I speak Dari and that inscription is totally unintelligible. I googled it and it turns out that they used a mix of Arabic and the Khorasani Kufic alphabet for some reason. Weird stuff.

[@jamesmuhr]

Hey not to piggy back off the great work Ian does, but I have some leaflets from the early months of OEF and was looking at translating them. would ya wanna give them a look over? I think they are probably in Dari/Pasto if you wanna look them over here is a link imgur.com/a/Exd8a

[@Mike_Rogge]

Probably the manufacturers in Europe didn't speak Dari and made something up.

[@asdfaljkshfalrsgha]

@@Mike_Rogge The afghans put these same markings on their domestically produced Martini-Henry's.

[@asdfaljkshfalrsgha]

@@jamesmuhr No promises, but if you post a google doc link or something I can take a look. Be aware that they might be in pashto, which I do no speak.

[@oldscratch3535]

@@jamesmuhr Did you get those in country?

[@stephenduffy5406]

The Elbonian Marines still field hundreds of them.

[@kaschberle6948]

Do they even have bodies of water? Thought its all mud.

[@ZATennisFan]

😁😁

[@schwaulen]

That's not how Elbonian procurement operates.

[@maverick9708]

Elbonia has the best small arms programs

[@stephenduffy5406]

@@danielaramburo7648 True, but remember that for emergency economic measures in the 1970s, the Royal Elbonian Special Forces Platoon rechambered their Schlegelmilches in .22 long rifle, so they’re not exactly the same.

[@wraithwyvern528]

Afghan Schlegalmilch sounds like an NPC name from an RPG

[@nullkommanix7372]

for me as a german afghan schlegelmilch sounds like a new kind of opiate ( schlegel= stick milch = milk)

[@johngulyas4334]

Afghan Schlegalmilch was my nickname in college.

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

@@nullkommanix7372 mein herr, wouldn't this word be the German for "whipped milk"?

[@frankbarnwell____]

npc in ad&d

[@nullkommanix7372]

@@oneproudbrowncoat whipped cream is " schlagsahne" wich is direct translated beat cream "Schlegel" is a south german word and means actually the meaty back leg of an animal ( pork, beef etc.) its used untill today and is listed in Duden. the old form is sleg wich come close to english sledgehammer i think it comes from the shape, we have another word " Keule" wich have although both meanings. Schlegel (Keule) = something to beat( or eat)😁 maybe the word schlegelmilch means one who beat the milk so he get butter, but therfore i m not sure

[@TheFanatical1]

Now this is a real historical find! When people say "this belongs in a museum" they might be overstating it - but a mention of this really does deserve to be a museum

[@5oclock_Charlie]

First thought when ian took the bolt off, "Why is it so thick?!" that's not even a dust cover at that point that's like a rock cover or shrapnel cover.

[@goforbroke4428]

Jzolt it’s a sturdy weapon.

[@ukromarine426]

You know it's gonna be a good episode when you see a bolt action rifle and a 20 minute marker on the thumbnail

[@wormyboot]

I went to Afghanistan a few times. Seeing videos like this is really fascinating. I wish I had spent more time experiencing their culture while I was there.

[@andrewhopkins886]

@Treasures of Distraction Modern diplomacy would simply declare that a "cultural exchange".

[@lairdcummings9092]

The Kabul Arsenal continues to astound.

[@lairdcummings9092]

The disassembly process seems very well-thought. Simple, robust.

[@vold2268]

Shame that afghanistan is going to need atleast a decade to recover from like almost 50 year of conflict.

[@rogainegaming6924]

@@vold2268 they're never going to recover. Afghanistan is always going to be the way it is, with or without foreign meddling.

[@Juggernautdemon]

@@rogainegaming6924 They aren’t going to recover because there are foreign forces ( particularly the US ) that don’t want them to so they can continue to steal their 5 trillion dollars worth of rare earth minerals.

[@rogainegaming6924]

@@Juggernautdemon That too. Even if afghanistan WAS able to be free of foreign influence, it's never going to happen. Before the US, it was the Soviets. There's always a player in the area.

[@dbmail545]

Came here from Mark Novak's channel where he is conserving this very carbine ❤

[@johngibson2884]

All Khyber Pass contract rifles were set to Arshins not meters until 1900's......1 Arshin = 0.711 meters.... this is very important for the shooter to know when trying to hit Targets in any significant distance. that's why you see the Fantastic 2000 number at the top of the site is not 2000 meters it's 2000 Arshins which is really 1300 +/- meters.... because Afghan warlords used Russian measurement and weight system for trade purposes with set to the Russian system . The sights are set to Arshins, not meters ! Which is actually a big difference if you go to zero the rifle the bullets are going to hit way low!.... Used on early Moisin Nagants and all invented by Petr the Great ( Alexseevich) . Here is the conversion: 1 meter = 1.406 Arshin. 1 Arshin = 0.711 meters This drove the Finns crazy as they scrubbed all the sites they captured from the early Russian rifles and converted them to meters The Emir used the measuring system the same as the Russian monarchy. Mosin nagants from the same year are set to arshins too

[@marcusborderlands6177]

First of all, these ain't kyber pass... Secondly, these rifles were made in germany... It would make sense for them to set them in meters, as they were a short run of trials rifles, in the standard german pattern, using german ammunition. And yes, Ian knows what arshins are, he has talked about them a lot in his vids on older mosins...

[@spacewater7]

You're sure it's not Schritt?

[@moreparrotsmoredereks2275]

"The 1890 pattern, which slightly predated the 1895" Wait, let me take a stab at this.... by about five years?

[@JoeMac1983]

🤔....👍

[@Juicewski2]

I think you might be on to something. 🤔

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Wooow. Mind. Blown.

[@webtoedman]

@Chimino Pulverman The Hebrew lunar calendar has to have an "Intercalary month" inserted every couple of years to keep it accurate. Can't remember how or why, just a piece of information that stuck.

[@CAPFlyer]

More like 3 (in all seriousness). As with so many things, formal adoption and "naming" often isn't when a rifle was actually created.

[@totenkopf28]

I kinda love that unique trigger guard. It's sort of a mix between the old musket design and the newer bolt action rifle.

[@keanur6541]

Ian congratz on the 2million. Only just realised you hit 2 million.

[@tomunterwegs1206]

Yeah, some days ago allready. Im sure more to come.

[@mattisvov]

*celbratory kazoo toot*

[@Spawned4Dinner]

I just realised that i was somehow unsubscribed. Is youtube doing it's thing again?

[@keanur6541]

@@tomunterwegs1206 yeah i think somewhere in january. It must have ticked over to 2mil

[@tomunterwegs1206]

@@Spawned4Dinner when is youtube not doing its things? :-D

[@slamdanwhich3990]

This gun is an unsightly amalgamation of all the bolt action rifles I tried to draw as a kid.

[@ScottKenny1978]

A 20min FW video on a bolt action rifle? This is a *very* unique piece! Anonymous buyer dude, thank you so much for 1) finding this, 2) getting it into the US, and 3) getting this to Ian to share with the rest of us!

[@marcothommen2484]

Any other guy:"There is some writing in arabic" Ian: specifies the writing as Dari

[@92HazelMocha]

I was surprised; I wonder if he can read Dari at some level.

[@milojohnson3057]

@@92HazelMocha would not be surprised

[@dwightehowell8179]

@@92HazelMocha Maybe Google translate or some other sort of software or even a English Dari translation book.

[@tokyosmash]

@@dwightehowell8179 Dari is a hell of a language to decipher, so who knows.

[@Merril_39]

Miles or the owner may have helped. Ian is learned, but knows how to use his resources just as well.

[@katana1430]

You lie! There is no way any rifle that simple and that easy to disassemble was made by anyone who spoke German!

[@cyrilhudak4568]

,,,,,, but we understand why it was rejected by the German military.

[@maximilianmustermann5763]

@@cyrilhudak4568 What iss sis? Simple no tools dissassembly? Zis iss plasphemy!

[@Llyd_ApDicta]

Could be there is some hidden joke here I don't get but the G3 I was trained on was field-strippable without any tools as well.

[@erpelschlut5092]

@@Llyd_ApDicta because of that it was replaced by the G36 ;-)

[@Llyd_ApDicta]

@@erpelschlut5092 And that requires tools to be field stripped? Are we talking about the same gun?

[@jesseroberts8849]

I love the simplicity of the machining on this gun i wish it had gone further with militarys or commercially

[@kevlarandchrome]

That thing is in remarkable shape for its age. Congratulations to the owner on an excellent and most fortuitous find.

[@IndianaJoe3]

That, "clip retention" lever looks like it might function as a magazine cutoff.

[@ryfish5]

This was my first thought as well.

[@patrickseaman]

@@ryfish5 Exactly - that's what I assumed it was as soon as I saw it....

[@johannaolsson5239]

Same, I hope he sees this so he could clarify if it's something he missed or if he has any reason for not seeing it as a magazine cutoff, doesn't seem like the thing he would miss.

[@travisdowdy7805]

Correct. Mark Novak worked on this rifle after this. Lots of interesting bits.

[@agustinperretta1043]

That field stripping was so smooth and simple. It's a shame it wasn't produced in more numbers and used/documented so we would know how it was for actual shooting. Very cool video Ian, thank you for the knowledge

[@Charstring]

The Western Chronicle of Friday 29 March 1901 (in the UK) claimed that Louis Schlegelmilch had invented a self-loading rifle, which they called a “recoil rifle” and that he’d presented two of them to the Kaiser. The paper thought that the Schlegelmich was streets ahead of the Mauser and a shoo-in for adoption.

[@dreadnought8363]

Interesting. Thanks for the fun fact

[@Bayan1905]

Compared to the Jazail muskets, this thing must have been like Buck Rogers ray gun to those who wielded it.

[@tamlandipper29]

Especially if you consider the general lack of industrial development. I mean a martini rifle might have been advanced tech when it came out, but the redcoat carrying it would have travelled by train and steamship. Not so the Pathan.

[@Psiberzerker]

Funny, because the Jezail's workmanship was reknowned, and collected in Europe. Including Switzerland, and Germany. They were quite proud of it, because they were exquisite, and still kinda are. Sorry, they don't look enough like a "Buck Rodgers Ray Gun" for your tastes. Fortunately, you're not a gun collector.

[@anonimus370]

@@Psiberzerker I think the discussion was on the firepower and accuracy of the rifle and not the fancy engravings , which provide no tactical advantage whatsoever.

[@Psiberzerker]

@@anonimus370 They were reknowned for their Accuracy, too. In Europe, owning to the long barrels. So, try again. "Firepower" is basically a myth, which is why everyone is going for small caliber, and high capacity now.

[@trentpetersen443]

I'm happy i wasn't the only person thinking it, how about that mosque crest, an impressive piece of work

[@unclebob540i3]

It's an amazement this rifle has survived at all in that part of the world.

[@TheCoyote808]

I am not surprised at all. One thing I have learned regarding tribesmen is that they value things that make their life easier/better very highly and will work to their last breath to preserve its function. It's why you see villages the world over that own a single Toyota or Nissan truck that is about as much Nissan as Toyota or vice versa. They will cobble together anything they can to keep it working and functioning. The same applies to a good rifle. A good rifle will get treated better than just about anything else. Sure it looks dilapidated and neglected, but it has been held together with little more than basic hand tools and scrap bits for over 100 years by SOMEBODY in Afghanistan. Whether it be the actual arsenal itself (who may have had a little bit more than hand tools) or a tribesman. The point being that it is likely that it is still in firing condition. If you can get an accurate casting of the chamber and figure out if it is 8x57J or JS it should still shoot.

[@Steve_I]

Im not surprised because 3rd world countries tend to hold on to everything they can. What does surprise me is it wasnt destroyed in an air strike or by the Taliban lol

[@mikepette4422]

I guess in Afghanistan "their finger is their safety" WOW ! love that field strip that was way too easy lol

[@spacewater7]

A little too easy for my comfort...

[@dwightehowell8179]

@@spacewater7 So you think having screws to loose is an improvement? Good luck with that.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@kanonierable as long as you stay out of the tribal areas. Those guys don't like anyone.

[@lorax6001]

Imagine if this thing could talk. The stories it has to say have to be amazing.

[@nelsonnoname001]

Russia Disliked That* England Disliked That* Germany: Hey would you guys like to sign a treaty with us just incase something were to happen in the next 20 years?

[@romainlapie6362]

I have the feeling this rifle was reject in favor of the Gewehr 98 because it was deemed not enough hard to produce by the german military, I'm sure they thought "the italians could have done it" !

[@BerndFelsche]

Nice design elements. Instructive for gunsmiths and mechanical designers.

[@Panzerkopf]

That's a very neat design! I love the dove tailed barrel and easy takedown. The clip feed mechanism also looks pretty practical.

[@matthewhelton1725]

Very clever action mounting scheme. The barrel lug area/ extension was about 50 years ahead of it's time.

[@Mrgunsngear]

thanks

[@416loren]

I like your videos too.

[@onpsxmember]

I'm curious if you stop by yourself to leave the single word comments or if you pay a bot?

[@xochiltepetzalailhuicamina2322]

I like how the guy who brought it back remains anonymous. All the OEF/OIF vets know why. Chances are this was stuffed in someones tuff box stuffed in a connex.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

"It's a curtain rod. I collect curtain rods."

[@skullznbones1]

You are allowed to ship antique firearms home. I can't remember the date. Ive had armloads of .303"s of different models as well as muskets. I've had a bunch of MG-42's, MP-40's, as well as one Afghan modified Lewis Gun all come threw the FOB. You never know in the Stan.

[@JoeMac1983]

7am upload and I should be getting ready for work, but here I am learning about a Schlegelmilch. 🤷‍♂️

[@TheTerminatorCarrot]

Hey man, if your boss likes FW, they'll understand. If they don't, it might be time to search for another job lmao

[@fortressalaska9822]

A truly amazing rifle. No tools for takedown, not even a simple screwdriver

[@MrGenoHydra]

Loads KZbin only to see a Forgotten weapons video uploaded 10 seconds ago. A nice start for an afternoon if i've ever had one.

[@mcqueenfanman]

That bolt locking in the barrel system is the real trick to designing a lightweight weapon.

[@jonprince3237]

Dog breeders: "We have the silliest names for things". Firearms designers: "Hold my Schlegelmilch!".

[@Aimless6]

Hey, if adopted in large numbers, the Brits during WW1 would have called it the 'Whipped-cream gun'. Now that would have been embarrassing.

[@rebel4466]

Also firearms designers: hold my Hellriegel

[@davidgillon2762]

Also firearms designers: hold my Bang.

[@oldscratch3535]

Wildcatters: "Behold! Das Eargesplitten Loudenboomer ist geboren!"

[@jennibaker3444]

I literally laughed out loud over that one! Thanks I needed that!

[@glennsamson3050]

Love the simplicity of the field strip, many manufacturers could learn from this and keep it simple

[@baronofhell2277]

As a german I must say, that name sounds excessively german

[@TN-ci4ox]

He’s German Ian says that he made it

[@matthewhelton1725]

Literal translation "Hammer Milk"? Loudermilk?

[@messerjocke2000]

@@TN-ci4ox Excessively german. Like Scotty McScotsman. Or Tex Longhorn.

[@Exgrmbl]

@@matthewhelton1725 Very close. It's an old term for buttermilk.

[@tomunterwegs1206]

German porn name. Greetings from Austria ;-)

[@coltstelting6969]

Ian in a hoodie is the chillest thing ever.

[@newpeupyoass]

That receiver dovetail is genius.

[@tomd.6488]

Congrats on 2 million subscribers!

[@munkSWE88]

Schlegelmilch sounds like the name of a villain or scientist from some old comedy.

[@yt.602]

What a fantastic unicorn rifle and absolutely on point for your channel.

[@catherinewhite2943]

I don't think I've ever seen this few comments before I watched the video. What a terrific rare gun this is. Thank you, Ian, for showing it to us - and to the un-named collector who brought it back!

[@MB-ms3ud]

The Martinis did not have a safety so it would make sense that it would not be a requested feature on a potential follow-up.

[@ste887]

less than 1 minute? seems my 'feels like ian uploaded' sense is quicker than the youtube notification these days

[@paularndt6111]

This is a very informative video. Love the simplicity of this marvel of engineering.

[@jimnugent1068]

Very much looking forward to that book! Please keep us updated.

[@DudeInWalmart]

Other that the odd pistol grip, this looks like a really well made rifle. I think it was much ahead of it's time. The construction of the receiver resembles like later self loading rifles.

[@keithallardice6139]

Now THAT is a COOL rifle ... and the back-history?!? Wow ... another gem from GJ!! Thanks for sharing, as always

[@aex-blacksmithuk2111]

What a wonder full piece is firearms design and a very interesting history. Thank you Ian for this video, one of your best personally speaking that is!

[@aries_9130]

What an absolutely amazing design this is.

[@SNOUPS4]

I hope the new Headstamp book will indeed mention this carbine at some point, be it as just one sentence and purely for the sake of referencing it... Thanks for the cool video!

[@frankrenzoni4240]

This was a perfect subject for your channel. Very intersting design and history.

[@Pcm979]

Interesting, I was thinking about the Schlegelmilch rifle just the other day. It's such a fascinating design.

[@johnfalco9528]

Here it is 3 yrs later and I just came from Mark Novak’s KZbin site where he worked on one of these. Maybe the same gun? It seems to have the cracks in the stock in the same places along with other details on the gun which are the same. Just putting the info out there in case anyone has further interest in this type of rifle. Thought it interesting that this popped up on the algorithm as the next video to watch also.

[@TheIrishAmish]

This IS the rifle Chief Novak worked on, he references this video by Ian.

[@johnfalco9528]

Thanks for the confirmation!!!!!!

[@t850]

...simple and effecive design. Somebody put a lot of thought behind every detail...:)

[@zachmiller9175]

The buttermilk rifle, no wonder the Germans went with mauser.

[@termitreter6545]

Yeah, I was about to write that this is one of the most ridiculous gunsmith names ive ever heard.

[@christiangartner2181]

Interesting approach to translation. In the German language, "Schlegel" simply means the striking tool "mallet". If his name would have been "Schlagmilch", the translation would have been correct.

[@mfree80286]

@@christiangartner2181 Copypasted: Schlegelmilch Name Meaning German: metonymic occupational name for a dairyman, from Middle High German schlegelmilch ‘buttermilk’. Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press

[@termitreter6545]

@Chimino Pulverman Lol, I just know the Bushmaster autocannon. Tbh that doesnt seem quite as weird to me, maybe because german is my first language.

[@termitreter6545]

@@christiangartner2181 Someones else said that its just an old german name for Buttermilch. Tbf Im german and didnt knew either.

[@relathan1]

You can't fool me. Ian wanted to review this gun just so he could say "Schlegelmilch" as many times as he wanted.

[@emergingloki]

Just noticed you have topped 2 million subscribers Ian. Kudos!!

[@aidanfarnan4683]

That's the coolest gun i've seen yet this year. What a cool operating system with a receiver that isn't load-bearing and a built-in dust-cover for the bolt carrier. What a pity it never became standard kit for a major power, i'd bet it would do quite well in dusty, dirty conditions and hold its own pretty well vs better know weapons.

[@ominösersüddeutscher]

I know I´m 2 years late but a quick insider-tip from a german: The S in Spandau is pronounced like the Sch in Schlegelmilch. Basically "Shpandau".

[@ulricsahlstrom8017]

Love the tool-free disassembly.

[@Coltslax]

The Emirs rifles is an immediate buy, cant wait

[@briancreegan827]

UnNamed person with cool rare gun. thank you. learned new things today.

[@scottoldbean6762]

I imagine the dovetail receiver/barrel design would make manufacturing the rifle in different calibers much simpler, I suppose supporting the idea that it was being improved from the trials design for commercial sale. Any caliber barrel and bolt face could be adapted to the receiver as it isn't a pressure bearing part. Very clever design for the time I think.

[@sapiotone]

Wow! What a find! Impressive design

[@davidlindsey6111]

An incredibly simple design. Simple manufacturing, simple assembly. It’s a wonder this never took off.

[@iaial0]

A weapon so forgotten even Ian doesn't have precise informations on it. Not something you see every day!

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

If this rifle could talk, damn that would be the story to listen to.

[@ohmygoditisspider7953]

I see that as the entire point of this channel. It's such a beautiful thing.

[@sameregarde]

thank you so much Ian for the perfect research you did and the story you tell us

[@peternicol3439]

I'd love to see that rifle after Mark Novak had got his hands on it.

[@peterreed3104]

Maybe Mark might clean it looks like nobody else has bothered! it is filthy

[@maximilianmustermann5763]

@@peterreed3104 From what I've seen, Mark would never remove genuine patina from an old collector's item. He always says you don't want to make such a gun look "like new", you only want to preserve its current state (i.e. stop rusting, but keep the "old" look)

[@anaphylastiks]

Whoever designed that rifle was very clever.

[@justinjones9042]

Very fascinating and great rifle . Never seen one like that myself.

[@Awghan]

My father, grand father and great grand father were gun makers in Kabul. They lived in Tufang saza street on Kabul which means Gun maker Street. According to my father what slowed their business was when Britain started selling their guns way cheaper than Afghan made guns.

[@maverick9708]

The rare middle eastern *and South Asian* weapons are always interesting in their own ways Edit: corrected intent with bold additions

[@amanchaudhary742]

Afganistan is not in the middle east.

[@firstnamelastname.7749]

Afghanistan is in south asia, along with india, pakistan, nepal, etc.

[@firstnamelastname.7749]

@@richie4429 iran is in the middle east. The middle east ends at the iran/pakistan and the iran/afghanistan border in the east.

[@amanchaudhary742]

@@richie4429 middle east is like the Arabic speaking Asia.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

I too arrived after watching Mark conserve this rifle

[@F4Wildcat]

Schlegelmich sounds like a perfect name for an evil supervillian. "I, DOCTOR SCHLEGELMICH, Vill now paint ANIME girls on every historical rifle stock in zhe world!!" Gunjesus= whats this? A villian who wants to ruin the historical accuracy of firearms? My briefcase full of Obscure french rifles oughtta put a stop to that!

[@letsplaybarrysmod5815]

Congrats on 2M! Love what you do and your videos.

[@Pandemonium415]

Love the fact that you can field strip this without any tools! Does a comperable modern day bolt action rifle with a similar design exist?

[@marinkhan3066]

No matter how good , will made and informative a video is thier will be always a unhappy person who will give it thumb down

[@benmillward7765]

Machining lug recesses into the chamber seems like a great idea. Any clue why it is not more widespread?

[@Siskiyous6]

You mean the AR-15 and M-16 are not widespread enough?

[@kingwiththeax6880]

Because everyone was enamored with the Mauser system. And locking lugs in the barrel are very common... if you count all the AR15s in existence.

[@benmillward7765]

@@Siskiyous6 New fangled colonial space magic! doesn't count!!!!

[@georgegregg2722]

Congratulations on the 2 million subscribers! Very interesting rifle.

[@tentax762]

Thanks for this, love from AFG🇦🇫💘

[@xavierbelmont8935]

So I found something interesting while digging around on the internet about this rifle Ian apparently the Afghan Schlegelmilch carbine was a German issued bold action rifle manufactured in Afghanistan Kabul Arsenal in 1903 hope this helps Ian as it took a lot of digging on the web to find this information but of course I love how you were able to deduce things about the gun by actually examining it thanks for the information 👍

[@theJellyjoker]

"Schlage'll milk" I didn't know you could milk pad locks!

[@vchalmel]

16:00 Gun can theoretically fire safely even with the receiver taken competely off by shoving the bolt in the barrel. Kalashnikov already being able to shoot with half the parts missing : "Is it possible to learn this power ?"

[@hurricane567]

Possibly one of Ian's all time greats!

[@malcolmgrillot4563]

That's a sleek and clever mechanical design

[@red9mm]

These are some of my favorite videos

[@AsbestosMuffins]

"they set up a spirits distillery" I can kinda see why that didn't go anywhere in a nominally islamic country

[@davidgillon2762]

I suspect that might well have been for powder manufacture - nitrocellulose dissolves in ethanol and ether to produce collodion which is a constituent of both Poudre B and Ballistite (but not the initial formulations of cordite).

[@guypierson5754]

What David Gillon wrote, pretty much. It wasn't for drinky time :D The leaders of all Islamic nations have pretty much always drunk alcohol, I mean, the name itself starts AL, pretty common sign that it originated in an arabic speaking country.

[@epl803]

Calling Afghanistan “nominally Islamic” is the understatement of the year...

[@guypierson5754]

@@epl803 I dunno, you spend much time there? I did, and it was lip service from most at best, and that was recently, after an extremist re-org, so back then: nominally at best I'd say.

[@epl803]

@@guypierson5754 yeah most of our vehicle checkpoints in Iraq resulted in finding smuggled beer and porn. Your mileage may vary but it’s formally called The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for a reason...

[@anderplays6460]

for a 120 years old gun that probably saw some real action in one of the harshest places in the middle east it is extremely well preserved. Whoever owned it took great care of it