VG1-5 Volksturm
The Volkssturmgewehr (“People’s Assault Rifle”) is the name of several rifle designs developed by Nazi Germany during the last months of World War II. They share the common characteristic of being greatly simplified as an attempt to cope with severe lack of resources and industrial capacities in Germany during the final period of the war. Testing of a captured Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr at a Soviet GAU shooting range showed that it was rather inaccurate, with 50% of the shots at 100 m landing in a circle with 10.2 cm radius and with 100% of the shots at the same distance landing in a circle with a 19.8 cm radius. At 300 m these the corresponding radii were 25 and respectively 50.3 cm. The fixed sights of the Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr made aiming difficult because the Kurz patrone raised some 29 cm above the sightline at 100 m and dropped 43 cm below it at 300 m.
Steyr M1912
The Steyr M1912, also known as the Steyr-Hahn, is a semi-automatic pistol developed in 1911 by the Austrian firm Steyr Mannlicher and designed by Karel Krnka, based on the mechanism of the Roth-Steyr M1907. It was developed for the Austro-Hungarian Army and adopted in 1912 as the M1912. It was in service in a limited capacity for the Wehrmacht until the end of World War II.
Lee-Navy M1895
The m1895 was the US Navy’s attempt at producing a new, modern straight-pull bolt action. Unfortunately for them it was somewhat more difficult to use and provided somewhat underwhelming performance. It utilized the new 6mm Lee Navy round which was significantly less powerful than the 30-40 Krag.
1852 Slant-Breech Sharps carbine
Presented here is a great specimen of an early Sharps Model 1852 carbine referred to as the ‘Slant Breech’ or ‘Sloping Breech’ model. Often confused with the similar “John Brown Sharps” and “Beecher’s Bibles”, this fine condition Model 1852 carbine is one of an estimated 5,000 such pieces made, and is the forerunner of the more famous model Sharps carbines of the Civil War. The single-shot, percussion firearm is a .52 caliber, breechloading firearm invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. It is constructed without the early tape primer ignition system of its predecessor and employs Sharps’ first side-hammer, percussion slant breech design. The 1852 date on this model weapon signifies the patent year in which Christian Sharps invented his ingenious pellet priming mechanical system and integrated it into the upper forward section of the lockplate.
1852 Slant-Breech Sharps carbine