Weird Waffen-SS Weapons - Western Front 1940

[@johnevans6474]

Thank you Mark for all the years you’ve delivered top quality material. Your greatly appreciated.

[@williamwilliam5066]

Noun missing John

[@resnonverba137]

'You're'...

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

"Your"???

[@humbleopinion1499]

You’re dealing with people who pay attention to detail - both historically and grammatically. 😂

[@raftai665]

@@MichaelKingsfordGray Struggle from womb to tomb. Hang in there.

[@45sticky]

A friend of mine used to collect Broomhandle Mauser’s, he must’ve had at least 15 of these wicked looking pistols. At least 10 were of Chinese origin. Thank you Professor Felton for shining a light on these unusual weapons of World War II.

[@TheWilferch]

In China....some were unauthorized Chinese made copies....others were true German Mausers, imported from Germany in the interwar years and used in the Chinese War-Lords conflicts.....

[@andyf4292]

churchills favourite , i think?

[@TheWilferch]

@@andyf4292 ...not sure if it was his favorite, but he did buy and use one....he used it in the Battle of Omdurman in the Sudan , reportedly.

[@original_m.o.d.]

He carried one as his side arem. Also, Han Solo's blaster was modeled after one

[@bluejaysfan965]

So does Leon s Kennedy

[@trident6547]

When I served my compulsory military service in the Finnish army in 1974-75 I had a chance to use some of the old weapons on the shooting range. I fired a clip with the 1916 model Mauser with the caliber 9x19P (9mm Parabellum) . In the Finnish army it had the nickname "Ukko Mauser" or translated in English " Old Man Mauser". It was not a very comfortable handgun at all. I preferred my personal sidearm the L1935 Lahti pistol with the caliber 9x19 too.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

A wonderful historical coverage video

[@raymondtonns2521]

i always have respect for brave Finnish for having stood against Russian invaders

[@LehySnek]

Isn't Ukko also the lord of thunder?

[@switchbladestrawberry4777]

​@@LehySnekyes but in modern casual speech it just means an old guy

[@joshfitzpatrick7198]

Ive only heard one other author mention that the Waffen SS was originally called the SS-VT, and that was Michael Reynolds in Steel Inferno. Well done Mark as always.

[@Sturminfantrist]

then you never read Eugen Kogon "Der SS Staat" (the SS State)

[@TheLobohobo]

Common knowledge.

[@erikvymetal455]

Who was thé first one?

[@Hampshirian]

Mark, would be very interesting if you could do more on the Czechs generally. They are definitely an underappreciated player in the war. Weapons, tanks, planes and battles!

[@8818F]

Zlaté české ručičky

[@tocrank]

Yeah. I was thinking about this also. Not only Czechs. I'm afraid the videos would have to be hidden behind some or another version of "Nazi thumbnail", otherwise there are no clicks. Not saying his videos are click bates, it's iust that generations of people grew up obsessed by the evil empire that Nazi Germany was and as such are prone to automatically pay attention to anything that's related to it. We all love to hate. :))

[@tocrank]

​@@8818F Absolutely!!

[@trident6547]

There were quite a lot of tanks captured in from the Czechoslovakian army that the Panzerdivsions used. Perhaps one of the most notable was the LT-35 tank that the Germans named the PzKpfw 35. It was a light tank that soon became obsolete but found a use when they used the chassis for numeorus versions of tankhunters like the Marders and the Hetzer.

[@alwinmitter2161]

What should be mentioned is that most of the explicitly Czech weapons were produced in plants which only 20 years before belonged to the Austrian empire as the regions of Checkoslovakia were constitutionals parts of the Austrian and before German Empire (Holy Roman Empire of German Nation) for more than 1000 years, so the engineer tradition of weapons and machines were in large part of German-Austrian tradition and were seen as such by the time.

[@elilawhorn3724]

Mark, I've read accounts of decent numbers of Waffen SS joining the French Foreign Legion after WW2, and fighting in French Indo Chino, to include Điện Biên Phủ. Any possibility of a video covering the SS serving in the Legion?

[@censoredcitizen6563]

Would be a great video

[@watching99134]

I've read that most Germans in the FFL after WW2 were simply young men who needed jobs, the ex-Nazi angle is salacious hyperbole (although it's certainly possible).

[@robinblackmoor8732]

They might have joined armies in South America too.

[@foxxy46213]

They still sing some German marching songs so can't see why not. A lot did join

[@gregchijoff9959]

Good one. My old scout master, Anatole Zakroczymski, a "lucky" Soviet POW from Kiev, having escaped German captivity in France became a Legionarie after WW2. He never wanted to return home. He told me whilst stationed in Indochina as a sapper he'd met quite a few shady Germans in the Legion. His comrades all suspected they were former Waffen SS, hiding from past sins.

[@nate3928]

Would have been interesting to have seen Mark bring up the captured Browning Hi Powers, Radom Vis 35's and Cz 38's among other handguns that they used early on in the war. Maybe in another video.

[@mikebrase5161]

I own a Waffenamt marked Radom. It was a vet bring back.

[@G35370]

The Hi Powers were made for the Germans after the capture of the FN factory in Belgium, the weapons weren’t necessarily captured by them. They were also used extensively until the end of the war.

[@allangibson8494]

The Germans also used Norwegian licensed manufactured Colt M1911’s.

[@roaklin]

He already did

[@GiggityGoo205]

Those weren't SS exclusive

[@viewfromrowb]

Love the insights and meticulous details that Mr Felton always puts in his videos.

[@herewardcuthbert]

The Czech ZB37 was in service in a modified form with the British Army as the BESA tank machine gun, surprisingly still in the Mauser 7.92mm round. It was considered acceptable as Tanks had their own separate logistics chain from the infantry.

[@stc3145]

It took too long and too much money to convert it into 303 as the British originaly wanted to replace all Vickers guns with it. By 1938 the project had not gotten far and they needed a tank mg as they only needed a few thousand, a domestic 8mm mauser production line could be set up

[@deezeed2817]

The broomhandle was still being used even until the 60's and 70's. I have a picture of my dad holding one in China during militia training.

[@kidpagronprimsank05]

​@@stc3145 or simply using captured supplies, although it pain in ass to loaded it

[@lastswordfighter]

What your in the People's Liberation Army/militia or the Twainese Army?

[@deezeed2817]

@@lastswordfighter No my parents grew up during the cultural revolution era. Back then every able bodied person had to do training with weapons, My father specialised in AA guns and type 56 AK. My mother wasn't allowed to join because of her Russian heritage, Because of the Sino-Soviet split ethnic Russians were discriminated in China but my mothers knowledge of the Russian language was considered useful and she was instead offered the role of a spy who would report any fifth column activity if the Russian community was in contact with the Soviet Union which was silly because most of them were exiles who were driven out by Stalin including my own Babushka.

[@thEannoyingE]

Never a disappointing video, there’s always something new.

[@DeltaV3]

Dr Felton is the red pill of history channels. I love it.

[@tinglerium1494]

TIK aswell

[@jboss119]

​@@tinglerium1494yep tik history, ww2 week by week, and mark felton are my favorite... Oh and kings and generals Pacific campaign is fantastic as well

[@stevenleslie8557]

Exactly! I love going down that WW2 rabbit hole

[@marioborkowski5894]

He knows his history

[@fishjohn014]

​​​@@jboss119don't forget The Operations Room!

[@amaccama3267]

I've read that the SS were outside the normal procurement system for weapons. So they always had many different types of small arms. They were also early adopters of what eventually became the STG44.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Hitler tried 3 times to derail the stg44. He was totally against it.

[@MaxZRider]

Cite source

[@recoil53]

@@MaxZRider This video - it also pointed out why. Forgotten Weapons just did a video that also supports the last point.

[@zoiders]

The Heer fearing an attempt by the SS to replace them refused to share their equipment with them. This changed as the war went on.

[@Andorman901]

Yes the SS had separate contracts with the German Arms Industry. The Wehrmacht had its own contracts with the same companies.

[@stephenloy3535]

Very good video,sir.I have read that the early SS were equipped with the Mauser 'Sportmodell',a civilian version of the Mauser 98k,bearing little difference,but just enough to escape Versailles Treaty inspectors.Many also used WW1 Gewehr 98,and the Kar 98 short rifle.The Totenkopf had a more difficult time obtaining weapons,and Eicke resorted to theft,barter,and sometimes his people were using various .22 training rifles.Thank you for another great production.

[@MaxZRider]

Cite sources

[@stripmin41]

Mark is one of the best on history period.

[@oliverstianhugaas7493]

Surprisingly many young people know of the SS-VT, due to the videogame *Hearts of Iron IV* featuring the unit as a german motorised unit at the start of the game in 1936.

[@charlesegan-wc8ug]

Dr. Felton you still continue to amaze me after all these years.

[@ajay-xjs]

I found your channel during Covid 20 and I'm still loving it. I thought I knew a lot about WWII from Grandparents but you never cease to educate us on amazing facts.

[@hb9145]

Making a full auto Mauser C96 was planned during the first world war for clearing trenches, but it never materialized. It was abandoned for the MP18.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Never a dull video, Mark!

[@Crabslammer]

Best historical content on on the internet! I always look forward to your uploads.

[@edwardsodke5860]

Thanks!

[@deanjericevic8912]

Interesting & well researched Mark; as usual.

[@PhLuFy]

Don’t know what we’d do without you Mark

[@ericscottstevens]

3:10 specialized air crews also were deemed highly competitive in the recruiting strategy. My Grandfather entered the Wehrmacht in MG battalion .6 in 1935....decided he wanted more. Took and passed the heightened physical with flying colors....... But at 5'3" 150 pounds.......deemed too little for SS Aryan guidelines. Became a Stuka rear gunner and was very happy with the choice. Probably saved his life going into the air service instead of frontline service.

[@Cherb123456]

As someone who likes Steel Division 2, this part 04:31 was enlightening! Great video and learned something new, as always, thanks!

[@quan-uo5ws]

Man steel division has so many weird weapons.... i love it.

[@williamflowers9435]

That picture is in reverse/mirror image… the MP35 fed from the right side and ejected out the left. The bolt is also on the right side.

[@projektkobra2247]

Odd aside..I made a "cubist" drawing from that photo at 8:30 when I was in high school that I had totally forgotten about!...

[@sarangsj8733]

My God never knew about this... Thank u Mark Felton for always Delivering Quality Content...

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

All due respect sent to you Dr. Felton. Thanks.

[@user-vk6tn1ie7k]

Another excellent production Mark, thanks.

[@mattharrell6880]

I minored in history with a focus on WW2 and Dr Felon has forgotten more than any professor I had ever knew to begin with.

[@TheWeatherbuff]

Mark, thank you for doing such a fine job with these videos. I have been fascinated with WWII since about age 10. Your detail, and pains to get the facts correct are appreciated.

[@nancyM1313]

Thanks Dr. Felton. Your Informative video helps to explain that time in History. ❤ have a nice day~

[@MartinleanRM]

You really show how big world war 2 really was and how many little different things happened that blow my mind, keep it up you are a great WW2 historian!

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

Fascinating video again! Always thought the Waffen-SS was named as such when they invaded the Netherlands. You hardly see SS-VT anywhere. What never changed was their utter disrespect for prisoners of war.

[@tombrunner8181]

If only one percent of the soldiers were veterans, I understand that. The world has watched that 5 to 6 million Germans have been enslaved like animals in France, that their homeland has been exploited and that thousands of children have starved to death as a result. The survivors have received no mercy from the victors

[@KM-ABZ]

What an excellent short documentary, I really wish you had a discovery channel....

[@PUBHEAD1]

Taking a break from work to make some tea and this popped up. Perfect timing for a tea break on a Tuesday afternoon. Thanks Mark👍

[@2006Mercury]

Incredible info and photos ! As always!

[@VulgarBeats902]

Thanks for keeping our intrigue alive Mark!

[@vulpsturm]

Just a point Mark: I have a ZB-30, the export version of the ZB-26, and they only had 20 round and 40 round magazines (Apparently for air defense). There was a later version, post war, in a different caliber that had an actual 30 round magazine.

[@williamflowers9435]

When Inglis produced BRENs for the Nationalist Chinese in 7.92, did they manufacture any 30 round mags or only copies of the original 20 rounder for the ZB26?

[@claybenge1755]

Would love to hear about the weird weapons (mainly sidearms) issued to the German Air Force during that time also.

[@MauserC1896]

Hello Mark, The Mauser selective-fire pistol in Germany was identified as the Mauser C96 'Schnellfeuer', without the 712 which was A. F. Stoeger's catalog number for this German pistol. The Mauser Export 'Bolo' pistol offered in the US market in the 1920's was catalogued as the 710 and the Mauser M1930 semi-auto was catalogued as the 711.

[@TheWilferch]

Historians will always refer to the full auto variant of the C96/30 Broomhandle Mause as model 712.....nonetheless

[@incrediblefruit]

@@TheWilferch even though 712 was i'm told the nazi designation for the schnellfuer or fast fire that mauser called it

[@deangarfield4484]

The best history youtuber to ever do it, thanks mark.

[@guylelanglois6642]

Thanks for the preparation work you do to make these videos so fantastic lord Felton

[@vikingraider1961]

7:10 I had a cap gun of the Mauser - with the stock/case - when I was very small in the '60s (they made good toys back then!)

[@marcrodriquez5153]

Dr. Felton, kudos to your always excellent content.

[@colinjames2469]

Absolutely fascinating as always Professor Felton.

[@alexamerling79]

Ive seen a lot about their weaponry when the tTgers and Panthers came out, but havven't looked that much into their early war weapons. Great stuff Mark!

[@johnnorman7708]

The 1896 Mauser pistol was an incredibly popular handgun in its early years. It served soldiers quite well in several armies. Even Winston Churchill carried his in the Boer war as a young cavalry officer. The shoulder stocked versions are interesting as are any stocked carbines based on pistols or revolvers.

[@i0iswastaken]

I love watching Mark Felton after a long day ❤

[@SnakierElm62]

Top notch content here, keep it up

[@galvonicaction]

Thank you, Mark Felton, for another great documentary.

[@thomasbartzick7372]

Very good channel! I do adore your work!!!! Please carry on!

[@314299]

It's so nice to hear the word "carbine" pronounced correctly in a video.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

Depends what country you're from.

[@Jakke13]

Another excellent mini-doc, i applaud you! 👏 A small remark however, you mentioned Sepp Dietrich and Felix Steiner as the first high-ranking officers of the SS-VT. But the founding father of the SS-VT and the later W-SS has to be Paul Hausser, who was instrumental in shaping the armed SS into the elite force it became. Keep up the excellent work! 👍

[@hinaynihorvath3926]

nazis trying to direct their thugs? lol

[@inhocsignovinces1081]

At 3:05, you can see Himmler’s medal rack which includes a medal awarded for Chicken Farmer of the Year with Oak Leaves.

[@Theplayer3431]

Im following Mark's channel quite a while, but still, he keeps on impressing me with new stories/facts/curiosities about WW2. :)

[@noonehere1793]

Another obscure group of facts presented in a clear concise way, thanks again for keeping history alive.👍👍

[@warpo007]

Apparently Mrs Felton just presses "record" when Mark sits down at the dinner table.... and here we are.

[@TheWestcoastrasta]

Mark Felton gives deep insight and did you know information better than most history tv shows in world wars and other topics. This is my opinion. And it's a fact 😁. Great work Mark Felton 👍👏

[@nebiyuesayas5600]

I quite like your videos discussing interesting weapons. It's kind of funny to think about how the German regular army were pretty uniform in their equipment, while the SS and police basically got lucky if they could get stuff that vaguely resembled standard issue (Czech Mausers, Spanish 9mm pistols, export SMGs, etc).

[@ChristopherLuth1974]

Thanks for the upload Mark.

[@carloperedo4443]

I have been watching you for a long time and i still learn a lot thank you so much for all the work you do. A big hug from Bolivia!

[@Natediggetydog]

That intro to the ss in general was so long I forgot what the rest of the video was about, but so well done that I was almost disappointed when you moved on.

[@janantoni3604]

Mark, you are never disappointing. Thanks for sharing your studies.

[@brutussandhu9265]

3:34 If it weren’t for the SS helmet, I would have probably mistaken the guy for Brad Pitt in Fury…

[@derrickclayton2544]

Put out videos more regularly, sey i just got around to subscribing but appreciate the effort you must take to put out quality vids with more importantly almost always correct info. 10/10 ⭐

[@TellySavalas-or5hf]

That's right . however, the SS-VT had an SS skull button on their overseas side cap as a feature.

[@jas_1959]

Once again outstanding content. Thank You Dr. Felton !!!

[@CryingPanSFX]

wow, I thought I knew a lot about the guns germany used during the war, yet this video has three I've never even heard of.

[@cammobunker]

The SS used captured Czech model 98 rifles, and later the CZ factory made many million K98K rifles. The SS and Luftwaffe used Czech handguns, and many of the early tanks of the SS were made at Skoda werke, and the basic chassis was used for several gun mounts for both Army and SS.

[@MrQ454]

Were inspired by K98k but not even direct copies! Vz 24 were shortened.

[@bohuslavhumplik6744]

Another Outstanding episode of "Things no one knew, but I somehow found about WW2." by Mr. Mark Felton

[@kb7.62]

Thanks mate. Had no clue that LMG used mainly in the rear even existed. Learning new firearms history is becoming rarer these days, since I’ve been researching so long, so cheers mark!

[@panzer1736]

I was I child when I first found your chanel, now I finished high school :))

[@thomas_bahama]

My local gun shop in Texas recently had a Browning Hi-Power with German Stamping and insignia for $900. During the war the Germans captured a factory in Belgium that was producing them under license, and continued production for their own forces. The Browning Hi-Power may be the only pistol officially issued to both allied and axis forces.

[@JohnDiabol]

Ironically enough Germany used more Browning Hi-Powers than any of the allied nations did(combined), as over 300.000 Hi-powers were produced during German occupation for the Wehrmacht and SS. The Brits didn't start looking seriously at the potential of adopting the Hi-power for themselves until the war was nearly over. Browning 1911 pistols (Kongsberg Colt 1914) were also produced for the German army in Norway, also under occupation, with a little less than 10.000 being produced for the German army before the end.

[@gerhard6105]

That factory was here in Belgium, in the city of Liège /Luik /Lüttich.

[@HootOwl513]

@@JohnDiabol Conversely, some ex-Herstal technicians escaped with plans to Canada, where John Inglis & Company set up a factory in 1940 near Toronto to produce the FN Hi-Power P35 [''under license''] for Allied Lend Lease. The bulk went to Nationalist China, some to the USSR, and select pistols to British commandos. The Canadian Army was issuing the P35 into the '90s. I picked one up surplus in the mid-'90s. Superb plinker.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Polish Radom was another. It was a close relative to the John Browning designed guns

[@minuteman4199]

@@HootOwl513 The Canadian army is still using those pistols, they have just recently started a replacement program.

[@carlmontney7916]

Best history channel on the internet.

[@gavinsherrill2710]

Another interesting video, amazing job Mr.Felton!

[@SynchroScore]

Funny to see that Knorr-Bremse made firearms. They're primarily a manufacturer of railway brake equipment. Then again, all sorts of companies made unusual things during the wars. Baldwin Locomotive Works made tanks and IBM made M1 carbines.

[@SynchroScore]

@robertstallard7836 British furniture companies made parts for Horsa gliders and Mosquito fighter-bombers. One of my favorite stories is how Chrysler took the early version of the Bofors 40mm autocannon, adapted it for mass production and reliability, and made some 40,000 of them. Mostly for the Navy, but some were also used for land-based air defense.

[@sps6]

Mr.Felton this is from India,congratulate you for your splendid work in World War2,this research is valuable for next generation

[@gertgilich3508]

Love your knowledge and contribution! Allways a great contribution Mark!

[@Dan_TheCatman]

Super informative, thank you mark as always

[@user-vg3yc6gk5f]

Wonderful video Dr. Felton!

[@Keimzelle]

4:55 - the Knorr-Bremse rifle? You know, Bremse is brake, and Knorr is from Georg Knorr, founder of the company that built a variant of the Westinghouse automatic train brake for the German railways. The company Knorr-Bremse AG still exists.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Dr. Felton you never disappoint.

[@nodarkthings]

Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.

[@carltheis]

Perfect again, Mr. Mark Felton, I like your reports very much.

[@simonkevnorris]

Thanks for continuing to produce interesting and informative videos.

[@jhthorn7174]

Your videos are ace high. I enjoy them for new knowledge and sharpening past knowledge.

[@fordfairlane662dr]

Some of the videos about German weaponry is simply amazing!😮

[@EdVanMeyer]

They also used the FN Made Browning 9mm automatic, I knew someone who had an SS marked deactivated one.

[@checktheskies5040]

Sitting back with my dripping and stewed tea in hand...ah the memories!

[@thomaslloyd5895]

I don’t know why I’ve literally never heard of the Knorr Bremse MG35 before until now

[@dogman0711]

The Germans also captured sten submachine guns. They marveled at the simplestity of its manufacturing.....they also made the German version with the magazine well vertical instead of horizontal.

[@margaretcorriher1000]

I love your channel and also a big bookworm / history buff. Thank you for your channel. 🇺🇲☮️😎

[@davefloyd9443]

More firearms content. Fantastic.

[@billyshane3804]

Matt Felvon is the MAN. Thank you Mark

[@jovanlopez1660]

Mark Felton is 👑 KING when it comes to Military 🪖🎖️ History..👍

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

I love the M712 because it truly embodies the term "machine pistol"

[@TankerBricks]

Mark. Thanks for providing my Tuesday night Entertainment!

[@darthku1408]

Thank you for all the videos.

[@joanofarc1338]

Dr. Felton, if you post a video, I am watching. Your videos are that good!