Prototype Friberg/Kjellman Flapper-Locking Semiauto Rifle

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The origins of flap-locking (as used in the G41(W), G43, DShK, DP, and RPD, among others) goes back to a Swedish Lieutenant Friberg in 1870, who patented the system. At that time, however, the fouling endemic to black powder made self-loading firearms effectively impossible and so the concept would have to wait until the invention of smokeless powder to become practical. The first to actually build a rifle or machine gun (he did both) was a man named Kjellman working at the Stockholms Vapenfabrik factory in Sweden, at the turn of the 20th century. The factory was the former Nordenfelt facility, and was trying to expand into small arms manufacture by making this Friberg/Kjellman rifle for international military contracts.
About 50 examples were made in a variety of calibers and configurations, but no contracts were obtained and the rifle never entered mass production. Mechanically, it locks using the flapper system and cycles with a short recoil action. What is particularly unusual about the design is the use of a lever arm to both open and close the bolt without the aid of a recoil spring. This actually works, but feels very counterintuitive to handle by today's standards!
If you enjoy Forgotten Weapons, check out its sister channel, InRangeTV! / inrangetvshow

[@Gyrfalcon312]

The level of mechanical know-how involved in this operating system is ingenious. No CNC, no computers, just knowing how metal interacts with metal and having a grasp of physics. If you're a 3D modeller reading this, who makes mods for videogames, could you kindly consider this oddball for inclusion in, say, Fallout 4?

[@jacobnugent7788]

Forgotten doggos

[@skribzy1157]

I hope that pupper isn't Forgotten.

[@fieldcommanderkurt]

I got your forgotten doggo right here!en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnspit_dog

[@cericat]

@Little Victory Fab Co The problem there is the "forgotten doggos" would be breeds that are now extinct, which is surprisingly common, the Cane Corso was close to the same 40 years ago, and it's only been in the last 10 the breed was registered by the AKC. We're not even completely certain what some looked like as the descriptions are either vague or contradictory.

[@tdugong]

You never told us Gun Puppy is guesting today's video, Ian. 😁

[@TheRogueWolf]

For those who laugh at the feed malfunctions: Let's see how well YOUR body ejects things when you're 118 years old.

[@zacht9447]

If this is in 8mm S patrone it is not old ammo your average K98 shoots the same stuff

[@bills6093]

Well, it's a prototype. This may be as good as it ever worked.

[@guardsmanom134]

Haha, YES! PERFECT.

[@handsomelarsandhisfabulousjars]

​@@zacht9447 It fires black powder cartridges, says in description. The ammo ran too dirty to be used in a self loading rifle long term

[@zacht9447]

@@handsomelarsandhisfabulousjars no it doesn't read it again

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

That is something special and truly truly a forgotten weapon. Imagine if a country had picked this up and ironed all the bugs out over the next ten years, it could have been the Garand of WW1, probably too many innovations though.

[@olesams]

This comment is gold for a "what if" guy like myself. It would have to be a wealthy state, and one willing to innovate. But if we just skip the finer details. WHAT IF Germany, Britain, USA or possibly the Japanese had adopted this? What if Germany had taken the semi auto concept to heart? That would just immediately eliminate WW2 which was the far more devastating war. 3 times the casualties. Just think about that. That would make WW1 so much in their favor. Most likely not give them a W, but they would completely negate the trench warfare. The sheer firepower of a company well stocked, would negate the strategies surrounding machine gun fire and trenches. Ten men with semi automatics can put down comparably the same suppressing fire and are far more maneuverable and flexible than machine guns were in WW1. They would most likely win out in mainland Europe. There are still questions like the naval war against the british and how they would handle Japanese encroachment on their colonies. But Europe, would be completely changed. Another proper challenger to the industrial power of the US and the colonial dominion of Britain. No Hitler. No fascism (possibly in Italy). And when France is properly beaten and their sovereignty is secured, Britain can`t refuse them to build a navy. There would be rivalries over ships, colonies. Perhaps a 1930`s -40`s cold war between Germany and Britain? Not over nuclear power and moon landings, but in regards to naval power. And considering the US would be too late to stop them securing their position in europe until the war is over, there is no practical reason why the US would involve itself. Kinda interesting how such a small technical detail of weaponry could make such a big difference. Juxtaposed, an adoption of a rifle at the level of what gun jesus experienced in the video, would shorten the war incredibly too. An army that can`t use their weapons is pretty useless. They would not win WW1. but they would secure so much more, since their campaign strategy was focused on great timing and swift action. 10 million germans who could fire 5 rounds and reload in 10 seconds? Even if the rifle had a low number of bullets it could fire before it would need cleaning. Im not German or anything. I just like the what if concept.

[@Brawler_1337]

@@olesamsSame thing with InRange’s Lever Gun project. What if the US took the heart and soul of the Henry rifle and ran with it? What if we gave our soldiers 1876 Winchesters in .45-60? What if we gave our soldiers the extra training to fire while their buddies reloaded like we did with the M1 Garand? How might that have affected the battlefields of the old West or even World War 1? This is the kind of material that video games should explore, but instead we get stuff like Call of Duty Vanguard with M1 Garands chambered in .50 BMG.

[@olesams]

@@Brawler_1337 A quicker US victory would not change that much i think.. considering the Americans were so hesitant to enter the wars in Europe in the first place. I mean, a huge leap in rifle tech would not change the mindset of the American people at the time. However, if the civil war had been won by a side with semi automatic weapons, that would lower casualties (shorter war= less dead) and with Roosevelts active conquest of Cuba and the mentality of the "white America to help the simple natives" could have built one hell of an empire.. A game about a quasi-nazi American empire? I would play that. I would recommend "man in the high tower". Book/series about if the nazis won ww2..

[@itsconnorstime]

Is the dog coming up for sale at Rock island?

[@logankincade661]

Is the dog fully automatic or semi-auto only?

[@d4ngru5h83]

logan kincade no, fires in quick bursts.... of energy when you say the word "walkies"

[@partyrobbins4690]

@@logankincade661 I personally prefer full semi automatic.

[@adee3235]

@@partyrobbins4690 excuse me *what*

[@partyrobbins4690]

@@adee3235 I didn't say it. An Army General that doesn't know his own rifle did.

[@peteranderson037]

This was an improvement over the Finnegan/Freiburger patent which was held together with zip ties and powered by an old Chevy small block.

[@55seddel]

Peter Anderson yeah, but the later work is superior due to added Hemi. Much more tactical in a straight line.

[@AndrewAMartin]

Hahaha! I just watched an episode of Finnegan's Garage right before this...

[@josephjoestar3275]

An unexpected but welcome reference

[@TorquilBletchleySmythe]

Sadly original examples have been molested by impudent youngsters ditching the small block and shoehorning in a crate LS.

[@Nf6xNet]

You won me over. I've finally started supporting you on Patreon based on the dog cameo. 🐶

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Thanks! :)

[@DankbeastPaul]

cute pupper

[@TheDarwiniser]

constantly puzzles me people use this babyspeak talking about dogs on the internet. ....Why?™

[@harald8]

Because its the internet...

[@LordVader1094]

@@TheDarwiniser Because they're cute, like babies.

[@craigthemonke794]

Don’t translate pupper in Norwegian

[@ztbmarine]

The puppy is the real mvp.

[@rad666a]

Never work with a dog, they'll upstage you every time :)

[@Davidautofull]

"go away kid, ya bother me." W.C. Fields.

[@phileas007]

THIS isn't even a "forgotten weapon". It's so obscure yet so relevant. Absolutely brilliant.

[@johnwilson2338]

I know that this particular video is 4yrs old, but I just wanted to say that I find it hilarious yet complimentary that several other KZbinrs have mentioned you in their videos as "The gun Jesus"! And FYI, you are mentioned, actually, quite frequently. I know that I have spent probably too much time watching the plethora of information that you tend to provide. Keep it coming.!

[@Thatonedude917]

It's like they cut an outline around the round for the ejection/loading port

[@chromesphere]

Thats why it had so many failures to eject. Still way ahead of it's time though.

[@kw9849]

It reminds me of the Schmidt-Rubin rifles and their small ejection ports.

[@elestromusicgamesfun1101]

I live 20 min from where Stockholms vapenfabrik used to be. Cool vid Ian, thanks, always nice to see Swedish gun history on this channel :)

[@Snagabott]

Props to the owner for letting us all enjoy that gun back in glorious action - after 118 years!

[@Finwolven]

Gun pupper and an interesting rifle, 100% quality video!

[@mattisvov]

Ian: This is a really fascinating rifle of historical significance... Comment section: PUPPY!!! Which, by the way, is the proper gentlemanly reaction to unexpected puppies.

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

I am simple gun enthusiast. I see prototype semi-auto, I click like

[@silverbackseven7]

TheGoldenCaulk I like the cut of your gib

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

Isn't it "jib" Also, thanks

[@jameshealy4594]

Let's not get too hasty, before you know it we'll be discussing the pronunciation of gif! (Yes, it's jib, from jib sails on ye olde ships)

[@shonny61]

Choosy mothers choose gif.

[@alanpassat6759]

I like things with flaps

[@Hadanelith1]

Another *fascinating* prototype semi-auto rifle. I love the majority of your content, Ian, but I have to admit that I am by far the most pleased whenever you get your hands on prototypes. Keep on doing what you do, because it's amazing!

[@squirrelonmapletree]

Guns like this is why I view this channel. Extremely old, yet firing, but works in a way that is uncommon nowadays.

[@lfr5007]

This was an awesome video! I love when you get a chance to shoot these old ridles!

[@damiangrouse4564]

Puppy Certified!

[@ahettinger525]

Obscure prototype gun, cute puppy. My day is made. Merry Christmas!

[@GethFTW]

Such an awesome rifle. This video was a really neat Christmas present all its own; thanks for the upload, and happy holidays Ian!

[@kristianosterberg7230]

Great vid and keep up the work. Love the serie and fun that you test so much Swedish guns.

[@RyTrapp0]

That is too cool! Seriously one of the coolest guns yet, talk about ahead of its time!

[@kenhelmers2603]

Very nice! Those barrel action guns are cool, really soaking up and using some of that recoil :) THanks for sharing it with us! :)

[@zendell37]

I love that Ian is trying to run it like a normal bolt action gun. Every time he runs it forward, he looks at it like there's a problem. Good on ya, Ian! And God bless Sweden!

[@idiotmannen]

I just love to see our Swedish guns featured on this superb channel !

[@ThePerfectRed]

Wow, to think of self-loading rifles in the 1870s. Limited by black powder only, not by ingenuity.

[@Gyrfalcon312]

The 1870s timeframe is the most incredible fact in all of this, to me. Had this gotten mass-produced, the potential 'butterfly effect' on _all_ of future technology could have been massive.

[@avp5964]

Love this action and the cam backward/spring pull forward design

[@emilhajbert5326]

Would be cool if you got your hands on a Kjellman LMG. Bet you already have a video of it waiting to be released

[@josuelservin2409]

Interesting prototype, thanks to Ian and the owner to let us see it in action.

[@magnusjakobsson7925]

Cool to see something Swedish, would love to see more of that! On a separate note; Kjellman is actually pronounced shell (as in the gas station) and man, so saying shellman would get you closer to the Swedish pronounciation :). Keep the awesome videos comming!

[@c99kfm]

Where do you get a sh-sound in Kjellman?

[@magnusjakobsson7925]

@@c99kfm you just do ... I'm no linguistics expert but I am Swedish 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@c99kfm]

@@magnusjakobsson7925 Scanian?

[@johndanielroos]

@@c99kfm: KJ combined forms that sound in swedish. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiceless_alveolo-palatal_fricative

[@c99kfm]

@@johndanielroos Nay, compare "sjok" and "kjol": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_phonology?useskin=vector#Fricatives

[@everythingexplained]

Cool mechanism in that rifle. I got some chills when the manufacturer had installed a face guard, it must mean that at some point the bolt had done a Kentucky Ballistic!

[@MrCarlBackhausen]

This is one of the coolest rifles you have shown on your channel imo. It is freaking amazing Had no idea it existed even though i am a Swede.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Fascinating design, seems kinda complex to manufacture and not very easy to maintain but still is very interesting

[@aserta]

Amazing episode!!! And what a rifle too :)

[@gregeoryl]

really looks like quality machining and finish for a prototype

[@urbanwikstrom9246]

Thanks Ian! Nice to see a Swedish gun on the show. This may be the early beginnings to the AG m/42. That was not a bad rifle. Thanks!

[@thevoxofreason8468]

Primitive versions of any system always interest me because of their complexity. I love comparing them to newer versions of the system in order to study the simplified solutions used to solve the same problems. This thing is neat.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Safty and face guard all in one....you go first. A very cool & complicated forgotten weapon.

[@erikgranqvist3680]

You dont mess upp the Swedish top much. God job!

[@MoraFermi]

This is a type of gun that I really wish there were replicas of. Quirky, weird, full of history -- and still working, a century and a bit after manufacture.

[@viking93ify]

i'd really love to see a video about the kjellman LMG :D

[@Jesses001]

It is interesting that the bolt is kicked open and kicked closed. You are right. We do not really have any firearms that I can think of that use that system these days. I wounder if there are any hidden advantages and/or disadvantages to such a system over spring systems we use today.

[@juliancate7089]

The first thing I notice about the gun is that it is extremely finely made for a one-off prototype. Machined and polished. Every piece looks as if it is ready for mass production. Impressive!

[@bigboy3306]

yo i was just watching your shooting comp you just put out, i saw this gun and i was like wtf is that action? i had to come here to learn and im not disappointed. i want it.

[@tacticalmanatee]

That dog is really happy to see that rifle

[@FW190A8UW]

Cool gun and really good video.

[@lordDenis16]

This... i think just became my new favorite rifle ;-; sooo unorthodox

[@gihrenzabi7271]

I want one. Like how I want a Norwegian Krag rifle in 6.5 Swede.

[@GreatgoatonFire]

You can really tell that Gun Jesus know more german than swedish in this video. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[@Merecir]

Vapenfabrik = Vaapenfabreek

[@Zretgul_timerunner]

Vapenfabrik = Vaepenfabrick (or vapenfabrik in simple nomenclature.) essentially spells out like that.

[@JT-ho6rp]

GreatgoatonFire Germans, alongside americans. Have contributed an overwhelming amount of designs/ideas to firearms. So knowing some German is a must when it comes to guns.

[@Merecir]

Only a Norwegian would pronounce fabrik with a quick i. In Swedish it is pronounced fab-reek. With a short rolling R.

[@GreatgoatonFire]

Well yeah mantis I don't *expect* Ian to know any swedish but I found it a bit entertaining that he pronounced the names like someone speaking german instead of they way english speakers then to.

[@KaletheQuick]

Added to "FW videos with doggos" playlist.

[@cesarpallincourt9987]

Very interesting gun, i love those early semi auto. I wonder when the Meunier A6 video will come up and if you managed to actually shoot one.

[@TheBudgetGunCollector]

Gotta love how many moving parts WWI Era guns have

[@joshuadavey8937]

Is that a goddamn Doberman?! I just found another reason to love this Channel!

[@MadNumForce]

That bolt cam thing reminds me of the "accelerator" cam on the FAMAS, except this one works both ways (back and forth).

[@matthayward7889]

It’s not often a gun takes second place in a FW video, but in this case I think puppy totally steals it

[@royperkins3851]

Watching the bolt on this rifle makes me grateful for modern equipment!

[@carlosmartinez-gd5nt]

Why do i love weapons? When you can make a magazine spring look like a work of art!

[@Berthrond]

Ian on location in Sweden?!, oh my! that might even mean a future with CBJ-MS video and other possible moments of joy.

[@patrikhjorth3291]

Always interesting to see some of my country's history like this, thanks Ian! As always, I feel compelled to nit-pick on your pronounciation: The "Fri-" part of Friberg is pronounced like "free", because it is the same word. The "-berg" part... the closest example I can think of is ""barge", which isn't exactly right but probably the closest an english speaker can normally get. The "Kjell-" part of Kjellman is pronounced like "shell". I think it's related to a word for "wellspring", but I wouldn't put money on it.

[@daveepsin4795]

Animals can sense good men. This dog sensed the holiness of Gun Jesus and thus came to see the lord. Amen

[@md_vandenberg]

Amen. /anoints self with cosmoline

[@georgegillett6059]

Amen ☺

[@Pronounced30]

Amen

[@AdrenalineJunkieXL]

That dog has excellent comedic timing lmao

[@gunner678]

It must be Christmas, a puppy show up! Merry Christmas from France Joyeux Noel Mais Ami

[@paulmanson253]

As of Dec 22,2017. 602830 subscribers. 2000 plus likes. And still, I repeat still 11 dislikes. Whoever dislikes this of all his videos is simply accessing bad drugs. A stress engineer and a watchmaker conspired to create this concept. And Ian gets to shoot this transitional product with roughly period ammunition. Wow just wow. Excellent slo-mo. A big thank you to the owner and all who brought this to the general public. Cheers people.

[@Punisher9419]

How did this not catch on I will never know.

[@oldesertguy9616]

Beautiful weapon.

[@SNOUPS4]

Passionating rifle!

[@g-dcomplex1609]

you can see, like many other military type rifles from the late1800's early 1900's, the length of the barrel is a hold over from the black powder musket era

[@alexanderandersson9843]

Hi Ian! I would just like to point out that the first part of Kjellman is actually pronounced like shell as in shell casing. Thank you for the awesome content you are providing

[@vonschlesien]

Guess you were right about that tiny little loading/ejection opening causing problems

[@daveykristjanson3052]

Love the historical weapons you shoot. Do you have a video on the 577-450 martini rifle?

[@mightaymouse]

I dont think any video has ever terrified me more in the first 15 seconds than this video has...

[@vmerkwurdigliebe3751]

A man beyond his era.

There is still a company called "Stockholms vapenfabrik (Stockholm weaponfactory)". Not sure if there is any relation but they sell spare parts for m45/b and other Swedish firearms. Great company.

[@rifles_up2263]

Ian,love your lil guest host🐶😊

[@KatherineClairmont]

aww, your puppy is adorable.

[@tinkmarshino]

Dang good piece.. I would love to have been able to fire it myself but watching you do it was almost as good..The noble and fair long haired leaping gnome has laid down some suppressing fire it's time to dee dee.. carry on my friend..

[@henrycareaga4943]

I can't take my eyes off of that cable mess beside the CD rack.

[@Dick_Gozinya]

Ian, are you absolutely sure that's a rifle? The guts look more like a fairly complicated clock!

[@shawnr771]

Scott Patterson It is not swiss

[@StevePlegge]

MOAR GUN PUPPER!

[@giovannitallino7513]

Thank you, Ian, a great video! And many thanks to the owner of the gun. Not many owners of antique and rare firearms would want to fire them or have them fired, even for educational purposes. By the way, Ian, could this system be considered a precursor of the inertial system?

[@iamTFT]

that lever in the action reminds me of the accelerator lever used in the m1919

[@bmoesucka8619]

this thing is intriguing

[@shonny61]

Extremely cool. Wonder why the bolt catcher never caught (ahem) on?

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

What a lovely dog, you don't normally have four legged costars.

[@raider6511]

Nice old gun. Like ur reviews on old and new stuff. Keep it up. Nice friendly DOGGY.

[@bengunderman5382]

The good old days when the high speed camera made the guns sound like a demon.

[@stacybrown3714]

Thanks really cool!

[@jeffyoung2089]

Very cool!

[@usmcassaultman]

It may be odd today to have a bolt on a semiauto which is not controlled directly by a spring but a great benefit to it is that there is no danger of pinching one’s fingers in the bolt while loading the magazine. There is no spring constantly putting foreward pressure on the bolt and thus no “Garand thumb” or should I say “Ljungman thumb” since Ian is in Sweden?

[@Dick_Gozinya]

Wow! That was the tallest Dachshund I ever saw!

[@j.sagiechode]

I bet that old girl just loved to sing after a hundred years of silence, great video!

[@workingguy6666]

19:09 - that moment when Ian becomes Hickok45, and it becomes a shootin' channel!

[@lazyjackass77]

I like this rifle very much.

[@2tommyrad]

PUPPY!!! A cameo of an upcoming video? YES!!

[@krisathe1stp0wer46]

How much did you pay that dog to turn up at that precise moment? Perfect timing for cuteness! #ForgottenWeapons 😀

[@Reckec]

The recoil in the slow motion video looks harsh except I bet the lever arm catching and returning the bolt smooths out felt recoil. It seems that the lever pivoting and reversing the bolts direction might slow the bolt and smooth out the direction change / recoil impact. Interesting idea but seems unreliable and in need of a lot of refinement to change that. Great video as usual. Love seeing these type weapons.