Weapons | War History

HK433 Rifle: The Frankenstein Gun That Is Taking the World by Storm

Side by side images of the HK433 and the G36

German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch took a unique approach when designing one of their most renowned rifles. The G36 was devised in the 1990s…

The Mosin-Nagant Has Seen Over a Century of Service

Todd Neikirk
Lyudmila Pavlichenko aiming a Mosin-Nagant

Firearms saw tremendous advancements throughout the 20th century. One, however, distinguished itself above the rest and has remained in service for well over 100 years.…

LRAC-50 73 mm Bazooka: The Incredibly Effective French Anti-Tank Weapon

Todd Neikirk
Soldier aiming an LRAC-50 73 mm bazooka while another loads a rocket into it

Tank battles were incredibly common during World War I and II. The Germans were equipped with impressive armored fighting vehicles that were effective on the…

Why is Russia Using the Soviet-Era KS-19 Anti-Aircraft Gun in Ukraine?

KS-19s lined up in front of a building

Recently, Russian forces have been spotted using KS-19 anti-aircraft guns during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. The Soviet-era artillery piece is without a doubt powerful enough…

M61 Vulcan: A Modern Take on the Civil War-Era Gatling Gun

Todd Neikirk
M61 Vulcan on display outside

There has long been a competition between countries over who can produce the best fighter jets. This was particularly fierce with the United States and…

The Sabot Round Pierces Tanks and Liquifies Its Targets

Samantha Franco
Soldier placing a sabot round on the ground, beside a number of others

The sabot round is a form of ammunition used by tanks for armored warfare. The non-explosive anti-tank round surrounds a projectile and allows it to…

Bren Light Machine Gun: The British Weapon That Featured Heavily in North Africa

Todd Neikirk
British soldier aiming a Bren light machine gun

The early 20th century featured both massive wars and rapid advances in technology. Among the most prominent and effective weapons to emerge during this time…

MG-42: The German Machine Gun That Mowed Down Enemies On the Battlefield

Todd Neikirk
German soldier lying beside an MG-42

The Second World War was fought with a number of new technologies and weapons. In a conflict this intense, each nation was desperate to get…

S-Mine: Nicknamed ‘Bouncing Betty,’ It Struck Fear Into Allied Soldiers

Samantha Franco
Soldier searching for landmines

The S-mine, originally named the Schrapnellmine, was a German bounding mine used extensively by Wehrmacht troops throughout the Second World War. When detonated, it thrust…

The US Army Once Tried to Turn a Nerf Football Into a Grenade

US Marine preparing to throw a grenade

The Cold War was a time of near constant military innovation. The frequent advancement of weapons of war required a fast response, which sometimes meant…

Flakpanzer Gepard: A Cold War-Era Anti-Aircraft Gun That Continues to See Use

Todd Neikirk
Five German soldiers standing on top of a Flakpanzer Gepard

In May 1955, nearly a decade after the end of the Second World War, West Germany joined NATO. Reacting to the decision, the Soviet Union…

5.56 vs 7.62: Which is the Better Long Distance Round?

Hand loading a magazine + Table lined with 7.62 x 51 mm NATO rounds

5.56 x 45 mm vs 7.62 x 39 mm; when it comes to ammunition, these two cartridges are among the most prolific and well-known. They’re…